Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Trooper Lanzi,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Maryland. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 28, 2020

On the 25th anniversary of your untimely death, I want to say Thank You for your service and everything you did for the citizens of Cecil County and the State. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you and those words of encouragement you shared two days before the crash. For 23 yrs, I have tried to be the Trooper you’d be proud of mentoring. You are missed tremendously. RIP Joe

Capt J.E. DeCourcey/0837
Maryland State Police

October 28, 2020

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice are always remembered by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

October 28, 2020

Twenty years ago today. I will never forget. RIP my brother.

Chief Deputy Gerald K. Widdoes
Cecil County Sheriff's Office

October 28, 2015

Trooper Lanzi,
I remember the night you died very clearly. You made the ultimate sacrifice trying to get to a fellow brother in need.

Just wanted to send a note to you, letting you know you have not been forgotten, even by those that never got to meet you!

Cpl
Howard County PD, Maryland

May 4, 2012

To Trooper Joseph Thomas Lanzi and his loved ones:

On this the fourteenth anniversary of your tragic death, please knowr that your memory is honored and revered today. Rest in Peace. I am praying for solace for your family members today, and each day that they are on the survivors' path.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Trooper Lanzi gave to his community and the citizens of Maryland, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on October 28, 1995.

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

Anonymous

October 28, 2009

Trooper Lanzi 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

May 30, 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

February 18, 2008

Rest in peace as we will always remember you.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

October 28, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 26, 2007

I think of Joe often along with many other police officers and military personnel that have given their life to preserve freedom and order. I will never forget that terrible night when I received the news of my good friend leaving us.

Semper Fi,
Frank Esposito
Sergeant
Maryland State Police

Sergeant
Maryland State Police

May 28, 2007

Not a day goes by that we don't remember that horrible day. Still in our thoughts. Rest in Pease Joe.

Sgt
Elkton Police (MD)

April 6, 2007

Never forgotten my friend. Thanks for your service.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

December 15, 2006

We remember...we will always remember

Maryland Citizen

October 28, 2006

IT HAS BEEN 10 YEARS SINCE HE GAVE HIS LIFE.
I KNOW THAT IT MAY SEEM LIKE JUST YESTERDAY AND THEN AT TIMES IT PROBABLY FEELS LIKE A MILLION YEARS AGO, BUT THEY NEVER LEAVE YOUR MIND OR YOUR HEART.
WE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE LOSE OF A LOVED ONE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE FOR THEIR COMMUNITY.
HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
GOD BLESS.

LORRAINE BOND (MOTHER)
HAMILTON COUNTY, TN DEP. SHERIFF:
DONALD K. BOND, JR.
EOW: 09.06.01

October 28, 2005

Mrs. Lanzi & Family:

I caught the segment on CBS Evening News and my heart broke all over again when I heard your story. My daughter, Denise Zimmerman, lost her husband, NJ State Trooper Bertram T. Zimmerman, III, last year in a similar accident. They were only married five months.

I am so sorry for your loss. Funny how you don't really pay attention to these kind of things until it happens close to you. You say to yourself, "What a shame" and then move on. I have since learned how difficult it is to move on. I hope and pray that as time has passed, your pain has lessened. I keep all survivors in my prayers to keep us strong and for God to give us comfort.

I am hopeful that with your interview on national news, changes will be made. We have lost too many law enforcement officers in car accidents that have left so many broken hearts behind.

My best wishes to you and your family.

Vicki Petrelli
MIL of Trp. Zimmerman EOW 2-05-04

June 12, 2005

Your spirit lives on. God bless you.

December 25, 2004

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

Rest in peace.

October 28, 2004

Remembering you on the anniversary of your death. May God comfort
all those who are still grieving your passing. Life is difficult at times
and the Lord Jesus wants to help carry our burdens. He gives us many
beautiful promises in His Word to help us through our valleys. I pray you
will feel His presence and know His peace. God bless!

Lynn Kole
Washington State

October 27, 2003

Trooper Lanzi may you rest in peace. I have had the fortunate opportunity of crossing paths with your wife, Lisa. You'd be real proud of her, as she's done so well in helping so many others in dealing with their loss through the COPS organization. I'm fortunate to have met her and thankful there are people like her in this world!

S. Cullinane Smith
Widow of Officer Mickey Cullinane
Sea Isle City Police (NJ), EOW 8/26/92
and Wife of a Montgomery County MD Police Officer

S. Cullinane Smith

October 22, 2003

For those who pledge to uphold it, freedom requires a sacrafice the protected will never know.

Anon

PO 3 Lee Guzinski
Montgomery County, MD