Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Life is bitter sweet. My dad, Darrell Mitchell, passed May 22, 2018, 51 years after your death. In going through family papers, I came across newspaper articles of your death. Although yellowed and very fragile with age, Dad would still bring them out on occasion and read them again. All of the memories of that week came flooding back. Dad was your uncle, but more like an older brother to you and Aubrey. He thought you two hung the moon. I can remember how he looked forward to visits and you all seemed to be so happy when you were together. Mitchell smiles beaming all around! He became a tried and true lifelong Georgia Tech fan from the day you started college there. He was always so proud of your integrity from a young age and the honorable man you had become. We have had so many conversations about you over the years. I remember the drive from SC to Atlanta for your funeral. The twins, Gina & Pam so young and Diane pregnant with Cheryl. A loving and caring man to all, taken far too soon. The pain dad felt over your death weighed so heavy it was palpable. Even at age 8, I could feel the gravity of the loss. Yes, over the years the pain slowly got better, but it would immediatly resurface with just the mention of your name. Dad had 84 years and you only 26 short years. You were both loving, caring, giving men and I can’t help but wish I was there to witness the reunion you recently had in heaven. I can just see all the smiles and outpouring of love. I miss Dad but am glad he is home with family. Life is bitter sweet.

Diana Mitchell Harper
1st cousin

June 2, 2018

My Father has been gone now 50 years. He lives and watches over us. We have been blessed so much. My Father has 3 daughters,I am one of the twins. He has 7 grandchildren and so far 6 great grand chldren.. My little sister Cheryl is a teacher. She graduated from University of Georgia. She was the first child of a fallen officer to benefit from the Atlanta b
Bat and Georgia Bar Association for college funds. My twin sister Pam is a flight attendant. I have been a Hairdresser 35 yrs. We are all blessed and thankful. WE miss you daddy.

Gina.
Dughter

May 17, 2017

You are so missed ! Our family talks about you alot. Pat's grandchildren love carrying your picture. Your Mother misses you too. It is hard to comprehend that 50 years ago you were taken from us. God has a plan and we will meet again. I miss you my daddy. I love you
Gina

Gina.
Daughter

May 17, 2017

Rest in peace Lt. Mitchell. The good people of Atlanta, Georgia won't forget your valor and integrity ever.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 17, 2017

I speak your name, quite often. I miss having you in this life but will see you again in heaven . Love you

Pamela Mitchell Bryant
Daughter

June 17, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 17, 2015

I was a patrolman assigned to the Evening Watch and due to get off at midnight. I was awaiting a wrecker for an impound at the intersection of Pryor Road and Moury Avenue S.W. Lieutenant Mitchell was a Morning Watch Traffic Lieutenant and had came to work at 2300. It was the practice at that time to get the Evening watch cars in into the station in order to deploy the morning watch patrol.
Lieutenant Mitchell came to my location to standby for a wrecker. We talked for a few minutes and I left for the station. It was the last time I saw Lieutenant Mitchell alive. He was a conscientious police officer and a kind man and he always had something positive to say.
Later during the night I learned he had been shot and they had his assailant held up in an attic. It was a small police department at that time and the news spread rapidly. Several of us (officers) went to the location to assist in the apprehension but were prevented from doing so.
I have always thought his death was so tragic because he had so much potential and was so well respected by those around him.

C.T. Padgett, Captain, Ret
Atlanta Police Department

May 29, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 45th 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 who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

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

May 18, 2012

My mother (Cheryl) called me over to look at this site and what people have wrote. After reading all of these refelctions I feel so honored to be named after you.
I cant wait to meet you in heaven.

Bryson White
Grandson

May 17, 2012

Rest in Peace, Lieutenant Mitchell. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 17, 2012

Bryson came on my mind as I was working today online. I felt I had to come and share with friends and family my memories of this wonderful young man.

I was too young for a permit but had to work to help Mother and was at my first job when I met Bryson in Atlanta in January of 1967.

He came into the restaurant, sat down and ordered coffee. I was nervous, hoping I wouldn't drop the hot cup of coffee on a police officer. He put me at ease from the moment he began speaking.

I'd recently lost a 25 year old brother ( a U.S. Army Soldier) and Bryson and I quickly became friends. I felt like God had sent him.

He was wonderful, the perfect gentleman, gave good advice and was wise beyond his young years.

Today, as I look back, I know I avoided many mistakes because I listened to Bryson. I didn't accept rides from strangers as I walked home at night from my job, because he warned me of the dangers.

I saw him less than 24 hours before he was taken from life. He was so excited about the new baby! His love for his wife and children was evident when he talked about them, which was often.

It's been 44 years and I've often wondered how his family was doing. My folks knew the Stinchcomb family too.

When I logged onto ODMP and saw Diane's recent message to her husband, I knew Bryson was watching her and their children from Heaven.

God bless.

RLG

September 23, 2011

In May of 1967 I was stationed on board a U. S. Navy Destroyer in Norfolk, Va. I do not remember exactly when I was informed with respect to Bryson’s tragic death, but as I recall it was within a matter of days. Bad news travels fast. It was simply unbelievable that this childhood role model and influential young man should be gone from our lives. I know that I felt sad.
I have one “sports story” to relate: It was just after January 1954 and “Gra-Y” basketball season was beginning. I was a newbie 6th grader having transferred in from the suburb of Tucker. Fred Kersey was the coach for everything. The first team, all 7th graders, were Bryson, David Garner, Ray Manus, Jeryl Hensley & I think Paul Eberhardt. The second team all, 6th graders were David DeBra, Twins, Rob White, and Herb Sckerl….Not sure where Melvin Morrison fit in & I was way down the bench. To help this story conclude, we all (even me) got to dress out for the tournament in the YMCA Gymnasium downtown. Thru the great leadership of the seventh graders we won the “City Championship”. The next year, I cannot remember exactly if we won or finished somewhere lower, but that sixth grade year in my very first organized team sport was a forerunner of the great times those seventh graders and some of my sixth grade classmates provided us over all the years of sports competition 1955-1960. May God bless us and keep us.

Richard Belser
Friend

March 31, 2011

A man remembered with so much love and respect never dies but continues to live on in the hearts and minds of others.May Our Lord Bless and Keep you and your family safe until you all all reunited.

May 17, 2006

We were highschool sweethearts! I was proud of you then as you were respected and admired by all of your fellow classmates at Bass Highschool: Captain of the football team, president of your class, full football scholarship to Ga Tech. With all these activities you were working to help your sweet mother. We married and again you made me proud and very happy. You made Lieutenant within five years, but most of all I was so proud of the wonderful husband and father you were. You always helped me with our twins, Pam & Gina, and with chores around the house. You were a proud Daddy and so excited about our baby (Cheryl Bryson) who would be born 6 weeks after your death. I'm so sorry our 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren dont have you here with them. Your strong character and love can never be replaced. They do love and respect your memory. Im thankful for all the memories and years we shared together since we were 13 years old until you were taken from us at a young 26 years old.
Your sweetheart and wife,
Diane

Diane Mitchell -Wife

March 2, 2006

Bryson was my buddy all through elementary school. Even though I was a chubby little kid with crooked teeth and no athletic ability whatsoever, as the perennial team captain. whenever he was choosing up sides, he saw to it that I wasn't last to be chosen. Everyone knew that Bryson was my friend and they'd better not pick on the chubby kid!

We played sports together, went to Cub Scouts together, worked at Colonial Stores sacking groceries together ...one day we even traded bicycles - his English bike for my beat-up old JC Higgins.

Every time I go through an box of old pictures, there's Bryson with that big grin ... in class pictures, at scouts, choosing up sides for a game of baseball, at birthday parties.

I learned of his murder on the way to work that Spring morning. Christy Lane was singing some song about happiness on the radio. I couldn't help but think of Diane and the kids and wonder if they would ever be happy again.

Even though I hadn't seen him in ten years or more, along with hundreds of others, I went to Patterson's Funeral Home to say my good-byes. I'll never forget it. Bryson was dressed in full uniform, his feet off the end of a bed much too small for the big palooka.

Yeah, I loved that guy. I appreciate his friendship to this day. I think of him often ... he was one of the original good guys.

When God was choosing up sides for his team, I know in my heart he picked Bryson.

Ronald "Ronny" Burch
friend

February 14, 2006

Bryson was more than a brother to me. He was the closest thing I had to a Daddy. He gave me advice throughout my
life and I loved him for that. He was our cornerstone in our family and filled big shoes for our Mama, brother-Aubrey and myself. He always worked hard at school and always had jobs to help Mama out with the money. She was
raising three of us alone. He was a tall statured man in more ways than one can count. I loved him with my heart and soul and I love and
miss him everyday of my life. He has a
beautiful family and seven beautiful grandchildren. He was so proud of his
twin girls, Pam and Gina and was looking
forward to the birth of his third child, Cheryl Bryson, named after him, born July 4 after his death on May 17, 1967.
Our Mama remarried after being divorced for years, to a wonderful man, Herbert Scott. They were to marry the day we
buried Bryson, but later married on the Sunday following his death. He was so glad that Mama had found an incredibly wonderful man that loved her and could give her things that, we as children could not.
Bryson, I love you and I miss you soooo
much my heart aches for you. I will see
you in my dreams and I know that we will all meet one day with Jesus and have one of the greatest reunions under the heavens and earth. Please continue to watch over us and we look forward to meeting again in the great reward in Heaven.

Your sister, Pat

Patricia Mitchell Adamson
Sister

February 13, 2006

I am so proud as I read other people having reflections posted on this website for my WONDERFUL father- especially people who knew you before your death almost 40 years ago. You have been an example to me even though I only had you as my father on this earth for 4 short years. Everyone that I speak with that knew you says nothing but the best things about you. They speak of your generousity, your integrity, your love for others and especially your love for us- your family. I miss the time I could have had you- I see friends with wonderful relationships with their fathers and I am saddened that we three girls were cheated of our lives with you. I am proud to have you as my father and know Jesus has a plan for us to see each other again in heaven. Thank you for the sacrifice you made for us and the citizens of Atlanta. I love you.

Pamela Mitchell Bryant
daughter

February 10, 2006

I remember the day you became a Lieutenant:We were in the kitchen when you came home and told Mama.I was 4 years old.We all have been so proud of you all these years.We miss you very much too.I also remember you coming home early each morning with that brown bag holding cold popcycles for me and Pam.They were cold on our feet,you used to wake us up that way so you could get in bed with Mama.I still wake up early everyday.I still wish to see you everyday also.Praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ that we will all be together sone sweet day.I love my daddy.
Gina

Gina Mitchell Porter

February 7, 2006

To the Grandfather I never knew...
Thank you for your duty as an Atlanta police officer. I am very proud that you are my grandfather and I know you would be proud of me. We are always thinking of you. I can not wait to meet you.

Amanda Hutcheson, granddaughter

February 6, 2006

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.

May 17, 2005

On May 5, 2005 I was speaking with a retired APD Detective, David Kennedy, who told me the story of when you were gunned down. He and I were neighbors in 1990 and have kept in touch after I moved away from Atlanta fifteen years ago. He spoke about you like it was yesterday that you two worked as APD cops. He has obviously has missed you all these years.

As time takes over and we all pass on, it is nice to know there are walking memorials of fallen officers being shared everyday.

God bless you!

Bill Henderson - Associate Warden (Retir
Federal Bureau of Prisons

May 6, 2005

I still think of you. I remember how you looked when you spoke of your wife and twin daughters.

The love was so evident! You were looking forward to that new baby, too. She was born (You know this!) shortly after you joined The Line Of Blue.

I'm still proud of you.

Too Young. Too Soon.

Forever Remembered By One Of Your Friends.

Wait For Me Near That Blue And White Cloud. I'll Be The Old Woman In A Red Dress.

RLG

R Grizzle
Retired