Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your service. I wish we could have met. Someday we will and we’ll have some stories to swap.

EOD K9 Deputy Brandy Martin Torquato
Brevard County, Florida. (Great-Granddaughter)

April 22, 2023

Thank you for serving the Citizens of Anderson County, May you be resting in peace.

Retired Deputy Sheriff J.H. Brown, Anderson County Sheriffs Office. South Carolina

April 20, 2022

Rest in peace and always 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 18, 2020

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

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

June 3, 2017

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"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 whose 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

Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

January 24, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 82nd 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

September 18, 2010

I was telling my Fatehr-in-law about you today, Grandpa Luther. He is a fellow officer, a Sheriff's Deputy in Texas. Being Memorial Day (err, the day after), it's a very special thing to be able to tell others about you. Thank you, Grandpa Luther.

Great-grandaughter

May 27, 2008

Deputy Martin your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Hands now brother. May you rest in peace

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee

May 26, 2008

Sir:

Thank You for having served Anderson County.

As a child growing up in rural South carolina, I saw my share of stills, and I heard so many stories regarding the lack of support officers received while trying to enforce illegal liquor-related laws.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

September 18, 2007

My husband, Edwin Dewitt Martin, was eight years old when his father was killed. His mother, Lizzie Pepper Martin, was left with the responsibility of raising seven children, the oldest being 19, and the youngest,4. The 5 sons all served in World War II, but all returned home safely. My husband, 85, and his sister Ruth, 87, are the only ones of the children still living.

Jean C. Martin
daughter-in-law.

May 17, 2006

I received an e-mail from my niece, Denise Flory, about this. Wow! I've never seen anything written about my grandfather's death, just heard stories. It was my understanding that he had been shot off the running board of a police vehicle in pursuit of some bad guys. Glad to have the misunderstand cleared up.

Jeanette Martin Thompson
Granddaughter

May 15, 2006

I am glad to see this page. I visited the memorial in Anderson many years ago with my mom and grandfather, Luther's son and granddaughter. It was very special and I'll always remember it. It's wonderful to know I can pass his story on to my child.
You are never forgotten, Grampa Luther!

Denise Flory
Great-granddaughter

May 12, 2006

09-18-03, MY BROTHER, YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. REST IN PEACE. MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RETIRED
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

September 18, 2003