Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Marler,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the USN during the Vietnam War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Fair Winds And Following Seas

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 21, 2022

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

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

April 21, 2021

Rest in peace Patrolman Marler.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 22, 2019

I was born and raised in Harrisonville. I did not know Officers Marler and Wirt personally. But their deaths became the defining moment in my teenage years.

Because of this I have purchased memorial bricks in their honor that will be placed at Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park, Angel Fire, New Mexico. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. I am told these bricks will probably be placed later in the afternoon.

It has now been more than 45 years since these brave men were brutally slain. But I want to make sure their memory endures.

Concerned Citizen

August 7, 2017

I was 10 years old and I will never forget that day. My Mom worked on the north side of the Square three stores down from the Allen Bank. We were sitting in the car with Dad waiting for Mom to get off. I remember the seeing the vehicle park on the right side of N. Independence right next to the Bank just few cars from us on the opposite side, with the guys in it who did the shooting. We picked up Mom drove by them they got out of the car, when got on the south side of the square we waved at the Officers. When we go to the 4-way stop we heard the gunfire.
I remember Officer Marler he gave me a ride from school one day, I talked to him about being a Policeman and that I like watching Adam-12. He was nice man.
Harrisonville held a remembrance ceremony a few years ago and retired their badge numbers, I was there in my Police Uniform. I will never forget that day they were shot or Officer Marler.

Patrolman Ronald Reeves
Drexel, MO

May 21, 2017

Not forgotten

Sgt Yoli Trujillo, Retired
Corpus Christi (Tx) P.D.

April 21, 2017

I never met Don but did have the privilege of meeting his widow and son a few years ago. As I reflect on that weekend three years ago in Harrisonville, where Frank and Don were remembered and honored, my heart and prayers go out to the friends and families of the fallen ones who have recently died through senseless acts of misguided revenge. Their courage and service to our communities will never be forgotten.

Dan Wirt
Partner's Brother

May 25, 2015

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 40th 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 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 that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace today. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections.

Rest In Peace.

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

April 23, 2012

Don, I know you loved law enforcement and that you served very honorably. I still miss you every day and am so thankful to have Nathan who is a wonderful testament to the love we shared. I will love you always. Darlene

Darlene Marler Hardy
Wife/widow

April 14, 2012

On this upcoming 40th anniversary, I would like to thank all of those who have given all to protect the communities they so loved. Although I mourn for the father and life with him that I will never know, I know he passed doing what he was called to do. Thank you all for the kind thoughts and rememberences of my beloved father and hero.

Nathan Marler
son

April 9, 2012

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

April 21, 2010

Rest in God's loving embrace, hero. You will never be forgotten.

Wisconsin L.E.O.

April 19, 2010

RIP

Anonymous

September 8, 2008

I was happy to discover that a park ws name in honor of those were killed that day.

May Theirs Souls Rest _ In - Peace...

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

April 21, 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

December 6, 2007

Rest in Peace,Sir.

April 21, 2006

In high school, I worked at the Allen Bank, which is the facility that was robbed by the killer of officers Marler and Wirt. The bullet holes in the bank were still there in 1988, as a reminder of that horrible day. Every day that I worked there, the bullet holes reminded me of the sacrifice that you officers made on that horrible day. God Bless.

David Bandre'

August 24, 2005

Don, I never met you, but I was very good friends with your son, Nathan, when we were in junior high school. He was only 2 when you were killed, so he didn't really remember you, but I know he was very proud of you. I remember sitting in his room while he showed me photos of you and your obituary, etc. He grew into a fine young man and you'd be very proud of him. Though his mom remarried, he kept your last name and never forgot who his dad was.

Marc Baetsch