Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

A laugh, a smile but always a helping hand. Your willingness to help others was too much to overcome.

Michael F. Stapleton
Ptl Mike Stapleton

February 10, 2023

Rest in Peace Frank,
You will always be remembered by your ESU family. Gods Speed.

Det.1 Tony Favara
NYPD-ESU (Ret.)

January 10, 2023

Thank you for your dedication,Rest In Peace

Lt Larry Meyers
NYPD

January 10, 2022

Wow , 34 years have passed ( 1 more than the time you spent on earth ) you are ans never will be forgotten . May you Rest In Peace , your legacy never forgotten . God bless your family . Salute !

Brendan O’Hara

January 10, 2021

Rest in peace, brother. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Lieutenant Raymond Flores
NYPD (retired)

January 10, 2021

Rest in peace Officer LaSala.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 28, 2020

Frank
Thanks for your service and sacrifice. I too worked SWAT for many years prior to promoting out. Your actions that day are so impressive and reflective a brave, selfless,considerate and honorable police officer--qualities that are not always a common virtue. NYPD and your family should be so proud. Thank you for your service and for sacrificing your life so that others could live on.

Asst. Sheriff Jim Lopey, (Ret)
Washoe Sheriff (Reno) and Nevada DPS

January 10, 2019

Rest in peace Officer Lasala.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 9, 2019

Rest in peace hero.

Lt. Jim Russo

January 10, 2018

I remember Frank as a gentleman and all-around good guy. RIP Frank.

Capt. Keith Halton (ret.)
New Jersey State Police

September 13, 2016

It was my honor to research newspapers, magazines, online & books to find your COLOR ID CARD Photo. I found this photo in a 1987 NYPD Medal Day Book about your heroic sacrifice. I felt it was necessary to have a photo on this website so that your family & friends can remember you. Rest Easy Hero! Always Remembered!

APO Christian Durante
NYPD: 68th Precinct Auxiliary Police Unit

February 5, 2016

Hi Frankie. I remember the last time we spoke. It was just days before we lost you. I was in sears, saw you coming, and hid behind a poster. As you past. I jumped out and surprised you. I can still picture that big smile of yours. That day you introduced me to Cathy. You were so happy & in love. I also recall standing on 5th Ave for your funeral. I wore the belt with the ESU buckle you gave me. I still wear it, every day. You will always be remembered here. Sending you our prayers, from "The Valley of The Sun". Miss you my friend.

PO Raymond B Merolle
HESSI ( E5) Friend

June 1, 2014

A few years ago I read a book about the ESU. In this book I read the story of Francis and was very impressed. For me he is a hero! I found out that unfortunately the ODMP homepage had no memorial page for Francis at this time. Then I reported his story to ODMP. Since then, I regularly visit his memorial page and hope for updates. Now I've seen that after all these years a photo has been added. It's nice to see how Frank looked. I am very proud to have reported his story here. I read all the reflections for Francis and I am happy that people known him personally remember him on this page.

Francis! I did not know you personally but your story touched me so much! I feel connected with you. Its strange... . You're gone but you're not forgotten!

R.I.P. Francis!

Andreas Schönhofen
Civilian (Germany)

Andreas Schönhofen
Civilian (Germany)

April 19, 2014

It was 26 years ago today and I can still hear your voice. RIP Frank.

Linda Jensen

January 10, 2013

Dear Frank/Chips
Miss you buddy.

Gary Gorman, Ret PO
NYPD ESU/E-1

April 7, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 25th anniversary of your death. 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 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. I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

January 10, 2012

I think of my uncle often. We love and miss you.

Family Member
Family Member

October 5, 2011

Frank-gone but not forgotten.
RIP

TPF/SCU

January 10, 2011

Rest in Peace my friend. You actions that day prove you to be the FINEST of the FINEST. God bless you. You will never be forgotten.

RETIRED DETECTIVE FRANK DEMARCO
NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

January 10, 2010

I said a little prayer today for Police Officer LaSala and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes

January 8, 2009

I knew Frank a little from when I worked on a book with some of the ESS guys. This tragedy remains with me. Frank was a good man, a very good man. May your spirit be with us. RIP.

Noel Hynd
A citizen, a friend

March 21, 2008

Frank you will always be missed by those who knew you.

Retired Detective John Paccione
NYPD

March 21, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE.

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

January 3, 2008

"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

January 2, 2008

A TRUE HERO. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

PO RJL
SUFFOLK COUNTY PD NY

March 2, 2007