Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Alex, today being Father's Day, I was just thinking how proud you would be of your daughter, Alexis. She was just a mere 6 months old on that terrible Valentine's Day in 1989. You cannot believe what a caring, smart, and I think, pretty close to perfect young woman she has become. I know you would be overflowing with pride that she is the beautiful gal she is. She has done so much in her life already. Gotten married, served at a mission as newlyweds, authored a book, has a daughter now, even! Before any of that, she has earned her degrees at various levels. I know thanks is owed to her mother, Joyce and the only father she knew, Rich. They did a tremendous job of parenting. I just wish you were still around to see her. Our small family has dwindled even further now, that I am the only one left. I can't believe how long you've been gone. Don't know why the ones that have the most to offer and sacrifice are taken way too soon, while those that don't have anything to sacrifice, (like me), are still living.
Your sister,
Yvette

Yvette
Sister

June 20, 2021

I remember when this happened. I was a brand-new reporter at the Billings Gazette. We were sad and some were crying this night. I am so sorry that Alex didn't get to be with his family after this. Thank you, Detective Mavity, for your brave service to the Billings community.

Jill Sundby Van Alstyne

Jill Sundby Van Alstyne
newspaper reporter

March 31, 2017

Alex,
You were like a brother to me and you were my oldest friend in all the world. You were the world's best boy-next-door and my guardian angel. I'll always hold you close to my heart and hope someday to meet your daughter again. She was so tiny when you died and I know it broke your heart to leave her and your wife.
Love,
Jane Heath

Jane Heath
Friend

May 31, 2015

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

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

December 18, 2012

You are not forgotten

Constable Amanda Pandolfi #1249
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada

February 14, 2011

Alex, It was a pleasure to have worked with you and to be your friend. I will forever remember you. I will never ever forget that day. You are truly missed.

Joni
Friend/Co-worker

June 27, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 21rst 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. I pray for the solace of all those who love and care for you.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

February 18, 2010

Det. Mavity 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

October 7, 2009

Alex:

It has been so long ago that we visited about your career in law enforcement. With great pride I watched you soar and with tremendous saddness I watched you fly across the horizon a martyred hero never to return.

I have visited you at the respective memorials in Billings and Washington D.C. I have presented a handmade memorial to your parents in honor of your dedicated service.

It is so hard to realize that so much time has gone by since we lost you. Incredibly, after 33 years of service I am still at it. With the end of my days in the business now numbered I will, as I have done so many times in the past, galnce back over my shoulder and see you covering my "6".

And in response to your daughter's message from a year ago, Yes, he would have been very proud of you always.

OMY PCSO

SGT. OLEN M. YOUNG
PCSO NEBRASKA

May 28, 2008

I was only 6 years old when you left us, but I will never forget how you would always make me smile. There is rarely a day that goes by when I do not think of the sacrafice you made. You will not be forgotten and I do this job in honor of you.

Nate Bryce
Billings Police Department

March 30, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 15, 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 11, 2007

Detective Mavity,
Thank you for your bravery and all you did to make this a better world. Ali, I'm sorry you never got to meet and know your Dad, but be assured that he knows you and you you've become from watching in the heavens. I'm sure you know from what your mom has told you....your Dad is a true hero! That word "hero" gets tossed around alot these days...to people who are paid millions of dollars to play kid's games. It should be reserved for people such as Detective Mavity. He ran toward danger when others would run away. God Bless you and your family!

ASAC
US Treasury

May 3, 2007

Alex,
I never met you or your folks but had been in contact with them years ago regarding family history. The letters I received from your dad showed how proud he is of you. I was in Billings a few years ago and noticed the memorial there too.
You will not be forgotten.
Sincerely,
"Cousin" Brian

Brian Mavity
Different "twig" of the family

March 8, 2007

Alex, you gave the ultimate Valentine. You're not forgotten.

Mike Riedel
Citizen

February 14, 2007

Dad,

Eighteen years coming up this February...your little girl is 18 now. I hope I'm what you always wanted to be. Mom has told me all there is to know about you. I wish we could've met.

Your only girl...

Alexis (everyone calls me Ali now)

Alexis
Daughter

January 24, 2007

Hardly a day does by that you dont come up in my thoughts.

CM
Life long Friend

May 11, 2006

Alex, just to let you know that you are not forgotten.

~Billings resident

February 14, 2006

Alex,

It has been nearly 16 years since you left us, but your memory lives on. Each and every day, the men and women that served with you see your photo in the Detectives Division or Operations Center and silently pray and thank you for your service. Although I did not know you or serve with you, from all accounts, I would have been a better man for doing so.

Godspeed and rest easy,

Your BPD Brothers

Billings Police Department

November 26, 2004

Alex, it has been 15 years today and the people of Billings and I are still proud of you. I will say a mass for you and will visit the memorial today.

~Billings resident

February 14, 2004

When God Made Police Officers . . .

When the Lord was creating Police Officers, He was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said,
"You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."

And the Lord said, "Have you read the requirements on this order? A Police Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn't touch, and not wrinkle their uniform."

"They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day."

"They have to be in top physical condition at all times,
running on black coffee and half-eaten meals, and they have to have six pairs of hands."

The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands . . . no way!!"

"It's not the hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord, "it's the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have."

"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. "One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before they ask, 'May I see what's in there, sir?'"
(when they already know and wish they'd taken that accounting job) "Another pair here in the side of their head for their partner's safety, and another pair of eyes here in front so they can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, 'You'll be alright, ma'am,' when they know it isn't so."

"Lord," said the angel, touching His sleeve, "rest and work on this tomorrow."

"I can't," said the Lord, "I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck."

The angel circled the model of the Police Officer very slowly. "Can it think?" she asked.

"You bet," said the Lord, "it can tell you the elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in its sleep, detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate the legality of the stop . . . and still it keeps its sense of humor. This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in hell, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim's family, and then read in the daily paper how law enforcement isn't sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects."

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Police Officer. "There's a leak," she pronounced, "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model."

"That's not a leak," said the Lord. "It's a tear."

"What's the tear for?" asked the angel.

"It's for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, for justice."

"You're a genius," said the angel.

The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there," He said.

Anonymous

Rest easy Alex!!! Your watch is secure.

Bob Ellison
Billings Police

Thank You Alex. Billings will never forget you.

-Billings resident