Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Ronnie's friends were not all cops or Air Force vets. I knew him as a friend and neighbor from 1955 to 1964. Lots of good memories from our horseback riding, camping out and hunting with our BB guns. I had just returned from Vietnam in September 1970 and visited with Ronnie, Beverly and the new baby--Rhonda. I learned of his death ten days later, and will never forget his saying that his job was every bit as dangerous of my tour as an infantry officer. He was a good friend and the kind of guy you want on your side in case of trouble. RIP, Ronnie.

Roger Soiset
friend and neighbor

January 16, 2023

Ronnie and I grew up as neighbors in the farmlands west of Matthews. We camped out, rode horses and hunted together until he went into the Air Force in 1963. In September 1970 I was back from Vietnam and visited him and his wife, Beverly. I remember him saying that he bet that he was doing as dangerous a job as I had just finished in Vietnam. A week later that was proven to be true. He was a good neighbor, a very good athlete and the kind of guy you'd want on your side if there was any trouble. RIP, Ronnie.

Roger Soiset
friend and neighbor

January 15, 2023

Fifty-two years. You would be 77 years old had you not been cheated of a life. I'm sorry for all you were denied, all the things you missed and all the things you could have done in filling fifty-two plus years of life. You were even cheated out of justice. I hope in some way you have some measure of peace and comfort in knowing you are still remembered and your short life mattered and is appreciated.

NC Officer

October 18, 2022

Your death changed the way many, if not all departments in NC serve search warrants. I am perhaps one of hundreds, if not thousands, of officers alive today because of some hard lessons learned that night and in the years of trials to follow. It seems in our profession too many times there has to be "a first" to bring change in training and tactics. There was a night in a California onion field that has sparked decades of conversation between officers. There was a night in Newhall, California that not only redefined high risk vehicle stop tactics, but gave birth to the concept of "Officer Survival". Those were nights marking new beginnings in the culture of officer safety. At least for those of us in North Carolina as far as raid execution is concerned, because you were "the first" to show major flaws of our thinking, the raid you executed did not illustrate what you "should have done" but rather educated the rest of us that, going forward, "THIS is what and how we need to do". I'm sorry that you had to join the posthumous ranks of "the first", but I hope ALL of you know that generations that have come after you appreciate the legacy left us. I hope that brings you a measure of peace. Thanks.

NC Officer

October 18, 2020

Officer McGraw,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Mecklenburg. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 18, 2020

Rest in peace Officer McGraw.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 17, 2019

'Ronnie was my best friend, we were cops in the USAF back in the early days of our life. He loved police work then in the air force, I hope to see him in another day , Bless Beverly and Rhonda

Ron Mayes
Friend

February 23, 2016

Ofc. McGraw - I stumbled upon your page through curiosity of seeing if there was any other McGraw's on the page and it broke my heart to read your story. May you rest in peace and your family find solitude in the fact that while your murderer did not meet his earthly punishment, you are enjoying an eternity of peace while he is justly receiving his own justice from our maker. I will continue my watch in your honor every day. May God bless you and yours.

K. McGraw
Saginaw PD Patrol Officer

October 9, 2012

You did what was just. You did your duty and you served with pride.
Rest peacefully and may justice be served in regards to the coward that shot you.

Lt TDW
ADOC SRP

April 1, 2011

Well, it is almost Christmas 2009 once more,I am retired and working PT as a Dep. Sheriff. You taught me in the early years. My girls miss your daughter and Bev along with my wife and myself also but life goes on... RIP...Bill

Bill Sirginson, Retired LE
Former Partner MCPD

December 6, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 39th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service to my home state and the birthplace of my son. 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.

How very sad that your murder went unpunished. This must have tormented your family. Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

October 18, 2009

Officer McGraw, I never had the pleasure of meeting you. You are a hero and will not be forgotten. Rest in Peace brother.

Sgt. Jim May (ret)
MCPD/CMPD Charlotte, NC

December 28, 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 26, 2007

OFFICER McGRAW, YOU HAVE SERVED WELL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. THE JUDGE YOUR KILLER MEET'S SOMEDAY WILL NOT WORRY ABOUT A SEARCH WARRANT. IN THAT COURT, LAWYER'S WON'T BE PRESENT. MAY GOD BLESS THOSE WHO STILL LOVE AND MISS YOU.

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

October 18, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

vandenberghe
nh

October 16, 2007

SUCH A MISCARRIAGEE OF JUSTICE. SO WHAT THE SEARCH WARRANT WAS RULED INVALID. PERHAPS THE GAMBLING CHARGES SHOULD HAVE BEEN DROPPED, BUT THIS COWARD WAS AQUITTED OF THE MURDER OF A POLICE OFFICER. WHAT A SLAP IN THE FACE TO ALL POLICE OFFICERS.
THE ONLY CONSOLATION IS HE WON'T BE ABLE TO ESCAPE THE FINAL JUDGEMENT. JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED.

OFFICER McGRAW, NEVER FORGOTTEN.

JIM SWEENEY CIVILIAN NEW JERSEY
A FRIEND TO ALL PEACE OFFICERS

January 2, 2007

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies....

Rest in peace, hero.

October 18, 2004

The policeman stood and faced his God,which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman. How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?
The policeman squared his shoulders and said.
"No, I guess I ain't because those of us who carry a badge can't always be a Saint."
I've had to work most Sundays
and at times my talk is rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep...
though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help
though at times I shook with fear,
and sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here.
They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much, but if you don't...I'll understand"
There was a silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman.
You've borne you burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets.
You've done your time in Hell"

G. HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

June 9, 2004

Ronnie McGraw was a true friend I was in the Air Force with him. this is 9/28/03 I found out of his death last night,talking with another Air Force buddy from New York.I'm very sorry for Beverly and Daughter. We were Military Police buddys and had lots of good times in Minot N.Dak. Its sad I only found out about my friend 33 years later. Beverly if you see this,call or write.

Rondal C. Mayes

September 28, 2003