Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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 16, 2020

I thank Deputy David Allen McCollum for his service to both his community and to his fellow human being. May his soul rest in Heaven.

First Sergeant Thomas Webb (Retired)
New York State Police

April 13, 2018

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

Retired Wisconsin L.E.O.

September 16, 2013

Al was the best of the best. We miss you!

David Alan "Al" McCollum
Although Al died in a rescue attempt on September 16, 1989, he had already worked more volunteer hours than any other squad member that year. Such was the dedication the 27-year-old felt for his work as a paramedic with Bradley County EMS. He always wanted to do more for others. Additionally, Al was a lieutenant with the Bradley County Rescue Squad, deputy chief of the Hazardous Materials Team, a diver with the rescue dive team, and a deputy sheriff paramedic with the Bradley County Sheriff's Department Tactical team. He served as an advisor with the explorer group sponsored by the rescue squad and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Cleveland. The Cleveland, Tennessee, Sertoma Club posthumously named Al the 1989 Service to Mankind Award winner, which was accepted by his wife Barbara. Also, the Cleveland-Bradley EMS Award of Valor was awarded for the first time posthumously to Al. Al was the first squad member to answer the call to two men trapped in a well. The men had lowered a gasoline pump into the well to pump out water, unknowingly releasing carbon monoxide. Al was lowered into the 45-foot well by rope to determine the patients' conditions, believing them to be victims of falls. After confirming their deaths, he was overcome by the carbon monoxide. He suffered a fatal seizure three minutes from the hospital as he was being flown to Erlander Medical Center in Chattanooga by Life Force.

National EMS Memorial Service

Joe Banther
Former Cleveland Bradley Co Rescue Service

October 11, 2011

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

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

September 16, 2010

I didn't know Mr. McCollum, but I knew one of the guys he was trying to save, Gary Hardin, he would've very much appreciated everything Mr. McCollum did for him although he wouldn't have wanted him to lose his life. But God has a special place for those wonderful type of a select few. God Bless the family, I to know what it's like to lose a loved one, a lover, a friend, your everything, it's so hard to make it without them, but yet we can't give because of them. Yours Truely,
Kim(Whitener)Davis

Kimberly Davis
none

May 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

January 29, 2008

Al was the best of the best. I know this because he was my friend, my co worker, my brother. He excelled in every aspect of emergency response. He was the best Paramedic, rope master, firefighter, extracation techinican that I ever knew. Thats why when he wanted to join the department as a SWAT paramedic I was proud to have him on the team. His service was cut short however his death has saved the lives of many. Al was a victim of carbon monoxide poisioning. He went into a well to save two others with no idea that the well was contaminated. Following Al's death many regulations, procedures and policies were put into effect nationwide to prevent deaths such as his. He lives on in the hearts and minds of all who new him and will always be a God sent hero to us all!

Deputy Sheriff Richard Taylor
Bradley County Sheriff

October 12, 2006

Remembering Deputy McCollum today.
Your sacrifice has not been forgotten.
I remember this incident and today I think of your family and the void that has been left in their lives.
God bless his family and your Co-Workers.

Lorraine Bond (Mother)
Hamilton County, Tn. Deputy Sheriff:
Donald K. Bond, Jr.
EOW: 9.06.01

September 16, 2005

Reserve Deputy McCollum,
All heroes need to be remeembered.
Thank you for your service

March 18, 2005