Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hi Pop-Pop, it is me Breigh. It has been a while since I have been on here and I just wanted to tell you that I think about you everyday. I want you to know that your son is a wonderful father and loves us more than anything. We miss you!

Breigh Lackman
granddaughter

February 23, 2022

Hi Mr. Lackman,

You don't know me but, I am Breigh's bestie. She has told me all about you. I just wanna say your are awesome!

Alyssa Crespo
Family Friend

November 16, 2021

Just reminiscing about this Horrible Event with Officer Lackman from over 50 Years Ago in Northeast Philadelphia. We were little people at The Bustleton School when we learned of this. A sad day we will Never Forget and The Ultimate Sacrifice that Officer Lackman Made. I did have a chance to attend The Memorial Plaque Dedication about 15 Years Ago.

Myles Gordon
Private Citizen

November 23, 2020

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

October 17, 2020

Bill, we didn't know one another, I was one of the Stakeout officers who responded to assist you that day but we were too far away to be of help. My heart sank upon hearing of your passing and I still think of you at times. I know you and other fellow officers are resting in God's radiance.

John Monaghan Detective, retired
Philadelphia, PA Police Dept.

August 31, 2020

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will always be remembered. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 30, 2020

Officer William Lackman will never ever be forgotten; may his soul FOREVER rest peacefully in Heaven.

First Sergeant Thomas Webb, Retired, NYSP

January 13, 2020

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

October 17, 2018

Officer Lackman,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Philadelphia. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 17, 2018

My husband John H. Strain III Jack died April 18 2018. We have Bill’s Night Stick. My husband told me Bill had saved his life.

Wendy Strain

May 10, 2018

I remember this like it was yesterday. A sophomore at GWHS and one of the "neighborhood kids", Officer Bill always treated us with respect and in turn, that's how we treated him. I don't live in Philly anymore but I'll never forget Officer Lackman. May he rest in eternal peace.

Jack Cohen
Former Somerton resident

October 18, 2015

Officer Lackman was a friend to a group of teenagers in the Somerton section of Philadelphia where he patrolled. He always treated us kids with respect and we all respected him and the other police officers of the 7th District. I remember when we heard the tragic news of his death. We were all devastated by that news. We all think of him to this day. He was our local hero!

Linda Brett
a former teenager of Somerton

October 17, 2015

I was with bill when he was mortally wounded.i think of him often.god bless bill.

det. john carey(ret)
ppd

October 15, 2015

My father William Gass was a sgt.in the 7th district at the the time.rest in peace.

civilian.Timothy Gass

October 3, 2015

On that day I was an Officer In the 15th Dist. assigned to the detail at 29th & Tasker Sts. with my squad partner Officer Ronnie Moore, who was a personal friend of Bill Lackman. When the call went out for O+ blood following Officer Lackman's shooting Ronnie & I joined several other Officers who volunteered to take a police wagon ride all the way up to Nazareth Hosp. Unfortunately we were told to resume patrol when Officer lackman died. I will never ever forget that day. I trust Officer Lackman is in a better place.

Officer Tom McLaughlin
15th Dist. 3sqd.

June 18, 2014

46 years after patrolman Lackmans death I still remember exactly where I was. There was a school racial riot in the 35 district and help was called in from other districts. When the assist officer went out officer down many of us wanted to respond even though it would take a half an hour to get there. I never heard police com. Rizzo so mad over the police radio. Inever met bill but my heart goes out to his family every few months .

Ptl. John Strain
39 dist.

April 10, 2014

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 45th anniversary year of your death. I am privileged to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service.

My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater

December 1, 2013

I was doing some genealogy on my Lackman family of Germantown, Pa. and I ran across all the articles about Officer William A. Lackman. I was not able to tie him into my family at first but today I was able to make the connection. William was my grandmother's nephew. Her name was Sarah Lackman, daughter of Christian aka Christopher Lackman & Mary Malloy Lackman.

I just spent some time looking at the page of all the fallen officers.....I can't help but cry everytime I read it.

It's unfortunate that good cannot always win...

He will be remembered through my genealogy as I pass it down to my children.

God Bless

Nancy Hess
Cousin

March 2, 2013

I cannot express enough my appreciation for the service and the sacrifice that Officer Lackman made. My family owes a debt of gratitude that we can never pay.

James Washick
grandson of Frank and Anne Washick

April 2, 2012

Come remember Police Officer Lackman at Welsh & Verree Rds today, 6/23/10 at 11;00am a plaque dedication in his honor.
God blees you William Lackman

Det. Fetters
Phila Police dept

June 23, 2010

Hey PoP,
Heather And I just had a beautiful baby Girl She was born on july 1st she has your eyes and hair. she is the the most beautiful thing i have ever seen. We Named her Breigh Madeline Lackman. She is the most beautiful little girl i have ever seen.

P.S if you happen to hear frome Jake Endrick again tell him that i miss him and that i really would like to talk to him.




Your

William Lackman JR

July 20, 2008

God Bless you Officer Lackman, Thank You for your service to our city!

Jake Endrick
Friend of Family

May 1, 2008

I have told only a few about this story. I never knew Pol. Lackman, but I was involved with him at the end. On the day he was killed, I was off duty, in uniform, a rookie in the 15th Dist. with about 9 months on the job. I passed by Bustleton & Welsh that day on my way to visit my girl before the 4X12 shift & saw the lights & sirens headed down Welsh rd. I heard on the radio about the shooting & that an officer was at Nazareth Hosp. fighting for his life.

I was very close by & I parked at the base of the entrance & entered the ER & offered my blood. They quickly took me & typed me & I lay on a guerny next door to where Drs. were working on Lackman. They put the needle in my arm, but just then all activity ceased next to me & someone poked their head in & said it wasn't necessary anymore. Clearly he was gone.

I got up, thhey put a bandaid on me & I slung my gunbelt over my shoulder & walked out to the long driveway. There, I saw dozens of people, all lined up, mostly cops, waiting to give blood. They all stopped and just stared at me, as I stared at them. I walked slowly back to my car...I went to work that day at 4PM

Then my Sgt. pulled me asside & told me that a cop was killed in the 7th Dist. & that I was to be the honor guard at the foot of the coffin, for the duration. NO-ONE knew that I had been there at the end...This was my 1st Police funeral & it sent a chill up my spine just thinking of the circumstances that brought me there, out of 7,000 other cops.

Tears later, as a Capt. I was asked if I wanted to attend a dedication for a cop killed in the line. I asked who...It was William Lackman. I went to the 7th Dist. HQ & quietly attended & observed the family, now grown, from so many years before.

I never said anything to the family...I think now maybe I should have told them that I was there when he died & at the coffin throughout the funeral, but I was concerned that it might upset them. Anyway....there it is.

Jim Mc Carty, Capt. PPD Ret.

Capt. Jim Mc Carty
Phila. Police ret.

December 11, 2007

I remember my Uncle Willie because he used to give me nugget gum when I was a little girl. His daughter, Mary and I were always together when we were little girls. I remember how sad she was that day and for many days after and his son, my cousin, Billy was not born yet when he died. My mom, Tootsie kept his tie clip from that day and newspaper clippings and my dad, Happy kept his football...so that they could give them to Billy one day. His kids turned out to be terrific people and he has a wonderful grandson, Peter who carries on his last name, as well as Billy and Mary. Officer Lackman was born on the same day as my dad, September 3, 1934 and now he is in Heaven with my mom and dad watching over us all.

Love,
Cathy

Neice

November 7, 2007

We recognize the ultimate sacrafice you made. God bless your soul.

October 25, 2007