Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your service and know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

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

October 7, 2020

Rest in peace Lt. Lance.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 3, 2019

Lt. Lance,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Southaven. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 7, 2018

Your sacrifice will never be forgotten! Thank you for your dedicated service to the Citizens of and City of Southaven! Continue to Rest in Peace Lt Lance.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of GOD." Matthew 5:9

Corporal Tony Dunn
Mississippi Highway Patrol, Troop D

October 7, 2015

Lt. Lance our paths briefly crossed years ago when I was and Officer with Southaven P.D. through the college intern program at Mississippi State University. I stayed over after completing my shift to ride charlie shift with you many times. You were always a gentleman and your words of wisdom have always stayed with me. You have never been forgotten. Rest in peace my friend.

Larry E. Newsom, Jr.
Southaven P.D. 1987-89

September 25, 2015

Lt. Lances mother took her own life later the next year. I believe this incident had an affect on her decision. So much sadness.

Charles Campbell Corrections Officer
Missouri Department of Corrections

March 11, 2015

You must be proud in heaven your son is the Sheriff of your home county of Tate. Your legacy is being passed on by him. You are missed.

Lt Jerald Wheeler
Southaven PD

January 14, 2010

Lt. Lance,
Sir, on today the 21st anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Southhaven. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous

October 7, 2009

Two decades may have passed since you were called away, but you have not been forgotten. Continue to watch over all of your loved ones and those still out on patrol. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

October 7, 2008

gone but not forgotten..RIP.

December 29, 2007

The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 4, 2007

I salute you, LT, on the 19th Anniversary of your tragic and untimely murder. Thank you for your bravery, dedication and sacrifice. May all your family & friends take comfort in knowing you will FOREVER be a hero and NEVER be forgotten!

DET SGT, Retired
AR

October 7, 2007

Today on the anniverary of your death we remember you and thank you Sir for your service.

Pat Va Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 7, 2007

Just wanted to say thanks for helping me get started in my career and that even though you are gone you are not forgotten.
You were a fine officer and a great friend , you are missed but I think you would be proud of the legacy that you left. Our deparment and your friends are still here as is your memory
God Bless

Jerald Wheeler
Southaven PD

May 5, 2007

I'm from Southaven and had a number of friends that were police officers from S.H.P.D. I also know Lt. Lance. He was what a officer should be. He was a officer supervisor. He worked to help new officers to become the kind of police officer that the people could look up to.

I know how the department hurt when he was lost. His family should know that Lt. Lance is the reason for alot of us becomming officers. I will always have Lt. Lance with me when I check in service. Thank you for letting me know a officer like him.

Deputy Darrell Prewitt
Crittenden Co. So. / Friend from Southaven

March 4, 2007

Sleep well.

October 7, 2006

I just ran into your profile today. I am hoping that you are resting in peace. I am wrestling with the decision to become a police officer myself myself. I come to this page to reflect and ponder. I appreciate your page and your story. In 1988 I was 13 years old and had no idea of what being the Police meant. I used to have no respect for Police Officer. Now I have an ultimate admiration for those who are active and those who have passed like yourself.

I trust that you are resting well and I regret the day in 1988 occurred. Fortunately I know you are resting comfortably in the arms of the lord.

God bless you and your family.

June 20, 2006

To the family and friends of Lt. Lance and his fellow officers of the Southaven Police Department:

On behalf of our entire family, I wish to extend our sincerest condolences on this seventeenth anniversary date of the grievous loss you suffered when Lt. Lance was brutally murdered. Our family grieves with you and for you, and Lt. Lance is not forgotten.

May you find continue to find comfort in the caring and support of your law enforcement community, and other police survivors.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the many years of service Lt. Lance gave to his community and the citizens of Mississippi, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on October 7, 1988.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD , eow 4/24/05.

October 7, 2005

I remember when Lt. Lance was killed. It was way before I started in this honorable profession, but it was devestating nonetheless. Lt. Jones is buried about 2 miles from my house and i visit and leave a flag on his grave every year on May 15th. Thank you for paying the ultimate price in the name of justice and all that is good and decent. You fought the good fight and laid up treasures in heaven. God bless and keep you and your family always.

Patrolman Ricky A. Williamson II
Charleston Police Dept., MS

July 3, 2005

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies.....

God bless, hero. Rest in peace.

A grateful citizen.

October 7, 2004

16 years ago today this fine officer
paid the ultimate price protecting the
citizens of Southaven. May God bless
him and his family always.

Officer Todd Riggins
St. Augustine Police Department
St. Augustine, Florida

Officer Todd Riggins
St. Augustine Police Department

October 7, 2004

Thank You for your service Lt.

S. Yates
citizen of Mississippi