Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! Please help me honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Specialist David H. Massel of the Woodlawn Police Department, Ohio and the additional 60 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

February 9, 2024

Police Specialist Massel, rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 25, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Specialist David H. Massel of the Woodlawn Police Department, Ohio and the additional 59 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

February 9, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Specialist David H. Massel of the Woodlawn Police Department, Ohio and the additional 59 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

February 9, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Specialist David H. Massel of the Woodlawn Police Department, Ohio and the additional 60 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

February 9, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Specialist David H. Massel of the Woodlawn Police Department, Ohio and the additional 57 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

February 9, 2021

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Specialist David H. Massel of the Woodlawn Police Department, Ohio and the additional 55 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation

February 9, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Specialist David H. Massel of the Woodlawn Police Department, Ohio and the additional 53 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

February 9, 2018

I can remember this night like it was yesterday, even though I did not know this officer specifically. I grew up and lived in Woodlawn at the time this incident occurred, having driven upon the scene on my way home that late night early morning. It was a scene I will never forget, first of all for the amount of police that were there. I believe every police from everywhere was there with so many lights that caught my attention from miles away. Then once I seen the vehicles involved, to this day I don't think I have seen such a bad accident with both cars destroyed all the way to the trunks being popped open and it was cold that night so both cars were covered in ice from the fire department putting out the fires, I imagine. I knew the son of the other driver and my prayers go out to both families of this horrible tragedy that happened on that cold February night almost 30 years ago.

C E Campbell
Fellow resident

January 9, 2014

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 27th 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.

Time never diminishes respect and your memory will always be honored and revered. I pray for solace for all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace today.

Rest In Peace.

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

February 9, 2012

My thought and prayers are with you and your mother on this anniversary.

You are not forgotten.

Constable Amanda Pandolfi #1249
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada

February 9, 2011

David was one of the police officers who protected me during my 3rd shift duties at a convenience store located on Springfield Pike.

I always felt comforted by his presence when he'd stop to check on me throughout the night.

I was on duty at the store when he was killed. One of the officers who tended to him came to tell me the sad news. I will never forget that night.

David was not only our community's protector, he was our friend. He was a true role model for the youth he worked with and for all of us who knew him.

Lori Durham
Former Convenience Store Clerk

December 18, 2010

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

February 7, 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 8, 2008

"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."

As Officer Massel now patrols with God's immortal police force, by his actions here on earth he has taken his well deserved place in the rolls of our honored heroes, whose names will live forever.

I honor Officer David H. Massel's life and salute him in death.

Sergeant T. E. Murphy
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Fl.

October 11, 2007

Only hours prior to David Massel being killed by a drunk driver, my wife and I had dinner with him at Cpl. Terry Taylor's retirement party (Evendale PD). Even though David was on an off day, David had to leave the retirement party early that evening because he agreed to cover for another Woodlawn officer that needed to be off. On my way home and only 2 hours after David left the retirement party, I came upon a crash scene in Woodlawn involving a Woodlawn police cruiser...it was David Massel and he had been killed on impact by a drunk driver that had gone left of center.

Thank you David for all that you gave back to humanity, to the residents of Hamilton County and Woodlawn. You were an inspiration to many and guided many, including myself, in the development of police officer's careers. I will not forget what your life stood for.

Walter W. Cordes II

Lt. Walter W. Cordes
Evendale Police Department

August 10, 2006

Never Forgotten..

Officer
North Carolina

April 1, 2004

Dave was known as the " Gentle Giant " and was respected by both his peers as well the community he served so diligently and proudly! I welcome others who read this to acknowledge his memory on here as well. Dave was liked so well because he was a sincere, down to earth officer / person who cared about the community he served and life in general ! Even those he arrested had some respect for his professional demeanor ! Dave was taken away from us by a drunk driver that evening who hit him head on and was not able to respond to the detail being dispatched to himself, as he was the victim of the dispatch. He has been missed, but will not be forgotten by those of us who knew him. He always had a smile and kind word, let us not forget him !

Retired
Springfield Twp PD