Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I met Arleigh at FT McClellan,AL when I was a Military Policeman in the ARMY. I was in a Military Police CounterTerrorism Course that Arleigh was invited to lecture about his experiences in the CounterTerrorism field in his Department. He had a very vast knowledge his subject and was the most interesting speaker in the course. I learned of his death while I was at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy during Annual Inservice Training. He was a Professional Officer and a Great Person. Arleigh was a True Hero. Rest in Peace to a Brother in the Badge.

WILLIAM W. NELMS SGT, RETIRED
TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL

November 6, 2011

A lot has happened in the world since that fatal day which took you and your partner. May you both rest in Peace and may God watch over your family. I am sorry our paths have not crossed, your peers speak well about you. God bless you both, you are missed. You will never be forgotten.

RETIRED DETECTIVE FRANK DEMARCO
NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

February 8, 2011

I think of you often uncle Arleigh & have fond memories of you, dad, sailing, Catalina Island, and flares... I mean fireworks. *giggles* :) I miss you oodles & wish you could have met my son... you would have had a buddy for life. He's an awesome kid! Although memories fade... you have remained a vivid picture in my mind & have a forever place in my heart! Until we meet again... I love you uncle Arleigh!!! Steph (Donnie's daughter)

Anonymous

December 2, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 22nd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Your valor, bravery, and service humble me. Thank you for your service and the supreme sacrifice that you and your family made on February 8, 1986.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
mother of Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

February 8, 2009

I met Det McCree back in 1983 in a terrorism class at Camp Lejeune. I always remembered him because he was the kind of person who seemed bigger than his peers, the larger than life type. I was shocked to learn some 20 yrs later through this website that he'd been lost. God bless you Det McCree and your family, it was an honor for a young marine to receive training from such an accomplished officer.

USMC/NC LEO

May 8, 2008

You are not forgotten. We shall never forget.

Deputy
LASD

February 8, 2008

To everything there is a season,
And a time to every purpose under the heaven.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck that which is planted;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and time of peace.

-Ecclesiastes 3:1-8


You are remembered today. Rest in Peace

LAPD

February 7, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

February 5, 2008

Arleigh,
Even though I never met you, I sure do wish I had of. I married you sister Jan a few years ago. I have been told a lot of stories about you. Your mother and sister sure do miss you a lot. Jan says that we are a lot alike and if we were ever together we would of gotten into a lot of trouble. Rest in Peace my Brother

Retired Detectice Lt. Dan Escobedo
Lovington N.M. Police Department Brother-in Law

December 16, 2007

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 1, 2007

DETECTIVE McCREE, YOU HAVE SERVED WELL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE TO YOUR DEPARTMENT AND COUNTRY. TRULY A BRAVE MAN AS WELL AS A HERO. MAY YOU NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

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

September 1, 2007

Arleigh:

Hey Bro
I was thinking about You this week. Funny-I spoke with a recent LAPD retiree who shared an interesting story about a hellacious shootout back when You and Your partner carried M1's. But then, I have heard so many stories about some of Your antics-like the time You were under a house, occupied by Black Panthers....

I miss You, Man.....

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

June 14, 2007

I just watched your story on Court TV. I was so taken by it that I had to come here and see. You are a true hero in every sense of the word. I am glad that your story is still being told and heard. We should never forget and We won't Thank you

Ohio

May 8, 2007

Arleigh

It is now the last few days before 2007 begins- in fact Christmas Eve 2006. I felt a need to visit this site and say hello and Merry Christmas. Our family misses you you mnore than you will ever know and writing this hasn't been easy. You would be proud of your Godson Jimmy. He is now a Senior at Auburn and a fine young man. We has some great times together and traveled to some interesting places at the government's expense. You were the greatest.

We love you, miss you and you will always be in our thoughts. Till our paths again cross . .

Your friend Jim

Col Jim Fraser
US Army (Retired)

December 24, 2006

Det. McCree -

Although, by the time of your death, I had over nine years on the job, the funeral for you and Ofcr. Ball was the first ever I decided to attend. I was moved by your wife's ability to speak to the packed Scottish Rite Auditorium, under pressure that would have devastated most cops.

You, sir, were larger than life in my eyes. I remembered not being able to believe it was you when I heard the newsradio broadcast.

May you and Ron rest in peace. Partners in the face of peril, partners for eternity.

Sgt. K. Moreland
LAPD

September 19, 2006

When it comes to bomb squad professionals, Arleigh was recognized worldwide. I first met him, while still serving on Active Duty. Later, after I joined LAPD, he and I had many conversations. It is still hard to believe that he is gone. However, he is by no means forgotten! Semper Fi, M. B. P.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

August 14, 2006

Arleigh worked for me in 77th Division patrol when I was a new sergeant in 1967. He was a natural born police officer. His integrity was above question. He had the highest recap of felony arrests in the division, mostly with narcotic suspects. He had an ability to sense who was holding and carefully developed reasonable cause for the arrest. He was an outstanding policeman in every sense of the word. I was his supervisor, but he was my friend. I was asked once who was the best all around police officer I ever knew. Without hesitation, I responded, "Arleigh McCree." Law Enforcement lost a fine officer, but the world lost one of its most conscientious protectors.

Sgt. Jesse R. Spurlock (Retired)
LAPD

February 7, 2006

Rest in peace old friend. You will always be remembered and respected by this family and countless others.

Scott Kafer
Former LAPD Bomb Squad

November 24, 2005

I worked with Arleigh for several years in the Bomb Squad & will never forget the day I received the call of his death. He loved his men & took care of us like his own children. His humorous ways kept the Bomb Squad alive. Hang in there...you were one of a kind...from your "Little Ya-Yoo"

Det Jimmy Trahin (Ret)
LAPD

November 23, 2005

I knew Arleigh when I was on the job and had to do one of the most uncomfortable things for him and Ron Ball. I played in an all cop band called Copper Creek and Arleigh's wife asked that we play his and Ron's funeral. We were a "good time band" and toning it down was tough. That was our first and only funeral in the eight years we played together.

D-II Steve Tilden
LAPD

November 23, 2005

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. You are now on Gods team and you are not forgotten.

Doug Eatherton
St. Louis City Police

June 2, 2005

Rest In Peace, Your sacrifice shall not be forgotten . God Bless .

Police Officer
Chicago Police Dept.

December 1, 2004

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies.....

Rest in peace, hero. God bless.

September 29, 2004

You are a true hero. You will never be forgotten. Thank you for your sacrifice.

Anonymous

September 5, 2003

Thank you for your service and for rejecting Khadafy's demented offer.

Anonymous