Kent County Sheriff's Office, Maryland
End of Watch Saturday, June 29, 1974
Reflections for Deputy Oscar Leaverton
Heavenly Father, I come before You today grieved in heart over the divisions in our country; the United States of America. I grieve for every life lost to violence, regardless of color or creed. And I especially grieve this day over the senseless deaths of America’s Peace Officers whose sworn duty is to protect us from harm. Please grant comfort and hope to their families. I know from the Holy Scriptures in Romans 13 that Peace Officers have a sacred task, to enforce laws that protect the innocent and punish the guilty. I pray that You will protect them as they serve us. Give them wisdom, discernment, and a deep desire to serve You. Please surround every Peace Officer in our nation, the United States of America, with battalions of warring angels to protect them from harm. I stand in the powerful and mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ against every work of Satan intended to inflict injury and death on our Protectors. May Satan’s power be thwarted, in Your mighty and holy name, and his plans exposed by Your Light. In the mighty and holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Redeemer, and the Mediator between us, Heavenly Father, in prayer, and by His authority, I pray! Amen.
Please find Encouragement, Comfort, Support, and Hope from God's Word:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
[Matthew 5:9 ESV];
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." [Psalm 23:4 ESV];
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
[John 15:13 ESV];
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." [Matthew 5:4 ESV];
"And he [Jesus] said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." [Luke 23:43 ESV], and;
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16 ESV].
Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NACM, NCCA
Ordained Independent NACM Minister
The Badge 183 Peacemakers Prayer Ministry
Member: Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers - USA
Captain Steven R. Closs (Retired)
Nashua NH Police Department (1974-1998)
June 29, 2025
Deputy Leaverton,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army Air Corps. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)
June 29, 2024
Rest in peace Deputy Leaverton.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
May 30, 2022
Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest In Peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
June 29, 2020
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
July 4, 2015
To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 38th anniversary year 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
I pray for the solace of all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Thanks to your family for sharing their devotion to you through their reflections.
Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05
December 12, 2012
As my career's end is coming closer, I decided to check and find those who had lost their lives during the year that I was hired. While it's been many years since your passing, I'm sure those you left behind and those whom with you served with distinction have kept you alive in their memories. Thank you for your service and for looking out for us who continue in our chosen profession. Rest in peace Deputy Leaverton.
Sgt. Robert Mau Sr.
PD Joliet IL
December 17, 2008
On this the 34th anniversary of your wing date I want
to remember you, your service and your sacrifice. Your
legacy not limited to but it seems additional to it is
that a nephew followed you in police work. No greater
respect can be shown than to want to follow in someones
foot steps. I know you are proud. Just wanted you to know
that was not missed. Nor was your anniversary.
June 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 always sir. You will always be remembered.
Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
June 29, 2007
To - My Uncle and my fishing buddy....You have been missed a lot, but now you have Aunt Mil & your Mom & Dad & all your sisters to keep you company again. And I know you are happy now..I also want to Thank You, as you were the one who got me my first job with the Maryland State Police as a Police Dispather, which I have done for the past 35+ years. Will always remember the good times with you fishing and all, and all the family gatherings and your sense of humor, always kept us laughing. Thanks again. Miss you very much, but I know you were doing a job you loved and would not have given it up for anything. So Uncle Oscar - God Speed and Thanks for everything you did....
TCO Frank Price
Maryland Transportation Authority - Bay Bridge
April 28, 2005
Deputy Leaverton,
As one officer wrote in another fallen officer's reflection, " no fallen officer should be without a reflection." I would like to say thank you for your service to the citizens of Kent County.
R.I.P.
Anonymous
April 6, 2005

