Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

A SONNET FOR BARRY

He was the first one in out troop
The first to leave from our group
A brother a father a lover and a friend
The first to meet an unjust end

The sorrows and joys of men and boys
And the love to them given
Like warm rain from heaven
Comes in the spring, leaves in the fall

But the sorrows of life pass like spring rain
With the passing of life to that mystic plain
And the joy of love, the peace of sleep
Elusive in life, though they may be

Takes our brother, our father, our lover and friend
And ushers him past our vision of end
And all of the joy but none of the sorrow
That all men have known and will know tomorrow

Will keep him safe in times warm hand
Till we can journey to his land

RR Ringo, 1977

Robert R Ringo
Atlanta Police Department

June 2, 2021

A SONNET FOR BARRY

He was the first one in out troop
The first to leave from our group
A brother a father a lover and a friend
The first to meet an unjust end

The sorrows and joys of men and boys
And the love to them given
Like warm rain from heaven
Comes in the spring, leaves in the fall

But the sorrows of life pass like spring rain
With the passing of life to that mystic plain
And the joy of love, the peace of sleep
Elusive in life, though they may be

Takes our brother, our father, our lover and friend
And ushers him past our vision of end
And all of the joy but none of the sorrow
That all men have known and will know tomorrow

Will keep him safe in times warm hand
Till we can journey to his land

RR Ringo, 1977

Robert R Ringo
Atlanta Police Department

June 2, 2021

His daughter, lives in Macon and is a successful career woman and looks very much like her dad... grateful and honored by the support of the police benevolent society .
Barry would be so proud and she cherished his memory every day

Donna eversole
Aunt and devoted friend of her dad

February 25, 2021

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 23, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Melear.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 20, 2019

i think about you everytime hear of another officer lost in the line of duty, EVERY time i hear a siren I have prayed for the, policemen, paramedics, firemen involved............. now 40 years later, i have 2 officers in my family....YOU were a wonderful friend,to many, and missed still...............Nope, never forgotten........

PATI GRANGER
friend

May 15, 2017

On this day 38 years ago, I said goodbye to you. I loved you then and I love you now. You were a good family man, a good police officer, and a good friend. You were a great loss to all who knew you. We will never forget.

Sandra R. Infinger
Friend

September 23, 2015

All girls need an older brother. Being nearly 62 years old I still need mine. I am so proud of the man he was and how he fought in the Vietnam war and saw so much bloodshed only to turn around and get shot in his own hometown. Like his daughter said above I too would like to know what kind of relationship we would have today. I do know he loved her so much and only wanted the best for her. I have been told that it gets easier as time goes by, but that's not true. I still hurt as much today as I did that very early morning I received the phone call that told me my only brother was dead. So many times I think "Barry would love that" or "Barry would think that was so funny" but I can't share it with him anymore. Every Police Officer, every patrol car I see, reminds me that my brother is gone. His birthday was the 18th of Sept. and he would have been 67 years old. His death still hurts and I see no hope of the hurt ever going away. ......

Susan Melear Hayden
Oldest Sister

September 22, 2014

I wish I had known you. At times over the years I have wondered what parts of me came from you - surely some of the best ones. I heard stores from family when I was growing up. As an adult I tried to officers who could tell me who you were as a person, a friend, but I was unsuccessful. I wanted to know who I came from and have memories, even though they wouldn't be my own. I have missed you all my life and still do, but I have always been proud of your service and am proud to be your daughter. You are never forgotten. Much love, always.

Suzie Myers (Donna Suzanne Melear)
Daughter

November 6, 2013

There is never a day that passes that you are not in my thoughts. My love forever, kat

Kathy Conley

August 10, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 35th 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.

Time never diminishes respect. You will always be remembered and revered.

I pray for solace for all those that love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their devotion in their loving reflections.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

September 23, 2012

It is difficult to believe that so much time has lapsed since Barry was killed. Barry and I were in the same Police Recruit School, 61. He was the firat friend I made at the Atlanta Police Department. He and I used to alternate barbequeing at each others homes. I left the department in 1976 and went into the U. S. Border Patrol. I transferred to U. S. Customs in Charleston SC in 1978 and learned of Barry and Frank Schlatt's murders after I returned. It is ironic that I have thought of both of these two young men taken at the prime of their lives. I still think of Barry and Frank and several others on the the Atlanta Police Department who left this earth before their time. God bless these young men and their families.

Senior Special Agent Dean B. Patterson
U. S. Customs (Retired)

July 13, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Melear. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 17, 2012

Today marks 31 years that you have been gone. It seems as though it was yesterday. You are so missed and truly loved and will be loved today, tomorrow and forever and always.
Love forever and a day,
Kat

Kathy Conley

September 23, 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

October 8, 2007

I worked with Barry and had no idea he had been killed until just now. I am so sorry to hear that such a fine officer and man died at such a young age. He was an outstanding officer and gentleman. God rest your soul and God bless your family.

Sergeant James M. Wright (retired)
Fort Lauderdale (FL) Police Dept. (Atlanta PD 1971-1975)

February 10, 2007

Barry was my older brother. I thought the world revolved around him. He taught me about boys and life. Because he was five year older than me, I was in love with all his friends from the time I was 12. He never would let them take me out. He was always protecting me.
He served in the vietnam war before becoming an officer in Atlanta.
Barry never judged anyone for what they did. He justloved to have fun and knew how to play. I miss him still.....

Susan Melear Lancaster
Sister

July 7, 2006

I was saddened to hear of this fine Officer's death. I heard of it almost 30 years from the time it happened from his sister. It still hurt just like the death of any brother or sister Officer. God Bless those that have given the ultimate in the service of thier fellow man.

MotorOfficer Jim Bragg
Greenville City Police

June 17, 2006

rest in peace

August 26, 2005