Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rarely is it the Lieutenants, the Commanders, or the Chiefs that bare the scars of bad decisions. It is the field officer who wears the physical scars, the team Sergeant who ultimately take blame right or wrong, and the co-workers that carry the mental scars forever more. I made the call to call Tacoma and let them know what was coming. Had I not made that call, who knows? Maybe the cop-killer would have gone home and slept it off. Maybe he would have gone home and killed himself. The world is full of what ifs. I am sorry to Officer Lowry, his team, and his family. My only hope was that by notifying your department, this killer would not surprise an unsuspecting officer.

Ofc Hamilton

A word of thanks...

I want to express my thanks to some people in your life Bill, words that oftentimes go unsaid.

To your Mother and Father, Thank you for giving us your son and raising him with the courage and dedication to want to serve his community. Bill was an exemplary officer, and even though we served on different departments, I go to work each day secure in the knowledge that my fellow officers in the Tacoma Police Department will keep my family safe while I am away.

To your wife and children, Thank you for giving Bill the support at home he needed to keep doing his job. I know it is not an easy thing to be married to a cop, but he knew he could go out and face the evil in this world because you believed in him to try and make it right.

To the men and women of the Tacoma Police Department, Thank you for carrying on in the face of incredible odds, where more often than not you are faced with criminals who hate you, a system that frustrates you, and a public that is oftentimes indifferent and mis-understanding of the job you do.

And to Bill, one of those special people who, like most of us who wear this shield, could not ask another man or woman to do a job and face the dangers that he himself was not willing to do. I know that you are sorely missed, and that God now holds you close and gives you rest. Thank you for the sacrifice you made for us all, and may we never forget you.

Thank you Bill. I only met you once or twice but you were a great person.

Officer George Curtis
Brier Police Department

Bill, I talked with you over a cup of coffee days before you died. I never thought that I would lead a team of negotiators in talking a man into surrendering after he killed you. It was a strange day. My anger at him will never die. But, I know that you stood for a constitution that demanded: bring the man to justice who kills your brother. It was not my place to determine his destiny. I am a better person because of you. Thank you B-low. You are the consummate Peace Officer!

Sergeant Mark Mann
Tacoma, Wa Police Department

Tribute to a Brother

  My brother died today.

  I've never met him. Never even heard his name until the news

announced it this afternoon.

  My brother died a hero's death, in a hail of gunfire.

  I've never met his family. I heard on the news that he has a young child

and leaves behind a widow asking why.

  My brother was murdered. Cut down in the prime of his life, midway

through his career.

  I was working at the family job when I heard the news.

  My brother was working the family job as well, when his life was cut short.

  Shots rang out, and members of my own family were unfortunate enough to witness

some of the terrible action.

  My brother was murdered simply because he was a cop trying to do his

job, serving the community in which I live.

  Other heroes worked ceaselessly to save his life, but to no avail. He was

in the hands of God before those human hands left his form.

  My brother is my brother because he wore a badge.

  My badge is now adorned in the black band of mourning that I have worn

too many times, grieving for other brothers and sisters that have made the

supreme sacrifice.

  My brother's name will be inscribed in "the wall." His last act will always

be remembered by at least a few.

  The first time I shall ever see my brother's face will be as we prepare to

honor him a few days hence. He will be borne along and laid to rest with the

highest of honors.

  My brother's badge was slightly different than my own. Different town.

Same job. Different title. Same family.

  My brother died today, and a little of me died with him.

  A little of my community died with him.

  A little bit of America died with him.

Thom Roth

Bill was an awesome peace officer. I'm still realing over the fact that he's gone. I believe there are lessons in his passing that we may all learn. I will continue to ponder what lessons were mine.

Mark Mann, Chief Deputy
Chelan County

Thank you for all you did for us.

Anonymous

Its been over 5 years since we lost you B-Lo. i still cry when i think about our loss. i miss you. im sure im not alone. you were the bright light on our department. we did so many things together that others only read about in books. damn, you were good. you always kept us laughing and kept us guessing. we were all better off having known you. you taught me one person can make a difference and i always strive to do the right thing just because its the right thing to do. thank you and may God bless the men and women of the Tacoma Police Dept.,

PPO Robert B. David (Ret.) (Frenchie)
Tacoma Police

Officer Lowry - I attended your Memorial Service, even though I didn't know you. My husband was your brother in uniform and I felt a need to go and honor a man that shared the same love for freedom. Your Memorial was the first that I had been to, and I cried so hard at the pictures of your life, your wife, and your baby girl. She is probably about six by now and I hope that she knows in her heart what an honorable hero you are. Unfortunately, yesterday I attended the second Memorial Service in my life for a fallen brother, Sheriff's Deputy Richard Herzog of the King County Sheriff's Department, who was also ripped from our lives. May God hold both of you in his arms.
There are no words to tell the emptiness left when a father and husband is taken and sadness and tears are left behind.
Always in my heart!

Officer's Wife Bonnie Geray
Yelm Police Department

Officer Lowery;

You were a true hero. You were my neighbor and I also went on many calls with you as an EMT. You will never be forgotten and always remain in my thoughts!!!!!

Anonymous