Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Luning, I met your sister for the first time today (7/07/2021). As she cut my hair she told me about your heroic act, and details which altered your day leading to your ultimate sacrifice. Thank you for your service, you were an incredibly brave and dedicated officer. R.I. P.

Jay Kaufman (citizen)

July 7, 2021

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

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

September 14, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Luning.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 15, 2019

35 years ago I had the honor of meeting
Officer Gary Luning as he was working a
security job at Erol''s Color TV in Wheaton, MD.
It was only a week later that Gary made the
ultimate sacrifice for his community!! I was in
shock to hear the news that September day and
over the years I have often thought of Gary and may God
Bless you and your family. Gone but never forgotten.

Donald Fletchinger
Friend

December 2, 2017

35 years ago I had the honor of meeting
Officer Gary Luning as he was working a
security job at Erol''s Color TV in Wheaton, MD.
It was only a week later that Gary made the
ultimate sacrifice for his community!! I was in
shock to hear the news that September day and
over the years I have often thought of Gary and may God
Bless you and your family. Gone but never forgotten.

Donald Fletchinger
Friend

December 2, 2017

My No Parole letter went out today my Brother of the badge, God Bless you, your Family, Friends and Department.

Retired Police Officer
South Lake Tahoe Police Department

August 28, 2014

This dedicated Officer was great friend,Father and husband was executed by Watson for a stolen auto .He should remain in prison for life . He had no concern for the life of this Officer doing his job.

Retired Officer Gary B Dicks (CSSU)
DC POlICE DEPARTMENT

August 23, 2014

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

November 26, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 30th 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 called you beloved 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

September 14, 2012

Gary:

Been thinking of you and just wanted to write a little reflection to let you know that we who knew and loved you miss you very much after all these years. I still cannot forget that September day when we spoke at the station and 30 minutes later--- and the rest is history. Gary, I find myself just sometimes driving, or it could be doing anything and you pop in my mind. It's strange how our line of work and the sometimes tragic results we may face are just printed in our brains and we can't forget certain events or people.

I understand your family is doing well and you would be proud of your children.

Gary, please know you are in a better place. Rest in peace my brother.

Lt. Cliff Wilson (Retired)
MPDC

March 23, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Luning. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 5, 2012

It's always a tragedy to lose a LEO in the line of duty, but to lose an officer with 2 small children is especially sad. I'm one of your daughter's neighbors - and I think you'd be very proud of her. She is a beautiful young woman, a great mom and a good friend...

Anonymous

September 16, 2010

Dearest Gary,

I just ran across this group on Facebook and had to look you up and leave a note. You are always remembered. Over the yrs, I run across a picture of you taken in my parents basement at a party many yrs ago. You are a dear, dear man.

Love you always, Lisa Irwin

Lisa Irwin
Potomac High School Friend

January 8, 2010

Gary,
I remember just recently being assigned to 6D and had the privlege of meeting you. I remember the helpless feelings I had when there was nothing that I could do to help. RIP.

Chris McKinstry
Broward Sheriff's Office Fort Lauderdale FL

June 20, 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

September 27, 2007

I met the most beautiful lady about a month ago. She came out of a salon and introduced herself as Ms. Luning. She is your sister. She told me you were killed in the line of duty in 1982. I could see in her eyes it still seems like only yesterday. My sibling was also killed in the line of duty 01-16-2003. I still don't understand why but I truly believe God needed two more beautiful angels the day you both went home. I will pray for your family. I do know you will never be forgotten. I would like to thank you too for giving the ultimate sacrifice----YOU.

From another Broken Heart Survivor
Sharon Atkins Identical Twin Sister of Officer Sheila Herring Norfolk Police EOW 01-16-03

Sharon Atkins

September 22, 2007

"My Brother"

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was idealistic and believed he could make a difference.
He was immensely proud of the uniform and the badge and what they represent.
He felt privileged to be of service to his department, his community and to his country.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was friendly, courteous, and polite, yet firm.
He laughed and joked, but was serious when necessary.
He was competent, trained, and professional.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He had a strong sense of right and wrong and became
frustrated when true justice became sidetracked.
He felt the sharp criticism that goes with the job, but he
never wavered.
He stood by and for his fellow officers.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He longed for his family during the long hours.
He worried about them during his shifts and the lonely
weekends, holidays and midnights when they were apart.
He felt guilty about the lost time, but knew his calling
and prayed they would understand.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was a good son, a loving husband, and a devoted father.
He was dedicated to the profession and cared about the
people he served.
He wanted to do the best job that he could and strived to
be the best he could be.
He was a good citizen and a good neighbor.

He was a cop.

Yes, I did know him.
He was a cop, he was my Brother.

Rest easy Brother Luning, we have the watch...



”I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
---Isaiah 6:8

You answered the call and made the ultimate sacrifice. Rest easy in God's kingdom and watch over us as we continue the battle here on earth!!!

Officer
MPDC

April 8, 2007

GARY, I WILL NEVER FORGET THE DAY YOU WERE SHOT AND KILLED. WE HAD JUST SPOKEN TO EACH OTHER THE CHECK OFF OFFICE. YOU CAME UP BEHIND ME AND TAPPED ME ON THE TOP OF MY HEAD. WE HAD A FEW LAUGHS AND I CHECKED OFF. YOU SAID YOU HAD TO GO. WITHIN 30 MINUTES YOU HAD BEEN KILLED. I STILL REMEMBER THAT DAY AS IT IS BURNED INTO MY MEMORY. I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN ALL THE GOOD TIMES WE SHARED ON AND OFF DUTY WITH THE GROUP OF OFFICERS WE WORKED WITH AND PLAYED HARD WITH AT THE 6D. I THINK OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY DAILY. I KNOW YOU ARE IN A BETTER PLACE. I STILL HAVE THE ARTICLE FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGE OF THE WASHINGTON POST. IT READ "A POLICEMAN DIED TODAY".

OFFICER CLIFF WILSON RETIRED
MPDC 6TH DISTRICT

March 22, 2007

Officer Luning, I was checking the site today and saw a Metropolitan PD patch and got a chance to read about your bravery. My stepdad also worked for them and retired in 1987 as a Deputy Chief. Thank you for your service and may God continue to watch over your family, friends, and coworkers. Say hello to my stepdad Chuck up there while you patrol heaven as he passed in 2002 from Lou Gehrigs disease. Godspeed officer Luning and thank you for your sacrifice.

TFC J. Prince
Maryland State Police Trooper 4

February 20, 2007

On the search for far away family members on the net I bumped into your page Donald. So I will leave my mark just to say I have been here and I have taken a momentto think it over.

Saludos

Rolf Luning

Rolf Luning

July 14, 2006

Rest in Peace Officer Luning. You were taken from this earth the same day as my brother Officer Gary D. Pagano,
New Rochelle, NY PD...I guess God needed a lot of help that day...Thank you sir.

June 14, 2006

Thank you for your service, sir. R I P

Mike C
Boston MA

April 21, 2006

Thank you for your service and sacrifice, Officer.

April 6, 2006

On behalf of the men and women of the Virginia State University Police Department, our thoughts and prayers to the Luning family and the Metropolitan Police Department.

Virginia State University Police Department