Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace and always know that your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

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

September 22, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Pollard. Sad about your sister, she must have loved you a lot!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 21, 2019

Tim Pollard was my friend.

We met when we both attended the law enforcement training and certification program in the fall of 1986 at what was then Daytona Beach Community College.

Tim and I sort of gravitated towards one another, especially so during the physical education part of our training. I was one of the 'older students' and Tim was a bit on the overweight side of the scale so we ran and worked together encouraging one another to 'get through it!" Tim had an issue with running and mine was with situps. He was a very likable guy with bright naturally reddish-orange hair and made friends easily. His demeanor was always positive and was well liked by the class.

We graduated in March 1987 and Tim went on to be an officer with the Ponce Inlet Police Department while I was a deputy with the Volusia County Sheriff's Department.

It was thirty years ago tonight.

I was watching the eleven o'clock news and learned of Tim's passing earlier that day. He had been a six-month rookie officer with Ponce Inlet and now he was gone. As I watched the news I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I saw Tim's bright reddish-orange hair in the tangled mess of what was once a patrol car and knew it was him. I also received a call from another friend telling me about Tim's 'accident' and told him I was watching it on the news as we spoke. A 19 year old had stolen a van in the Daytona Beach area and was being pursued as he drove south on A1A by Daytona Beach Police Officers. Tim was responding to a call for mutual aid driving north on A1A and found himself suddenly confronted by the stolen van. Before he could react he was hit head-on and very critically injured. He survived for a few hours on life support and then passed away.

I attended Tim's service and was completely unprepared for the emotional aspect of it. At the end of the service we lined up outside and as Tim's coffin was brought out of the church the radio dispatcher did "The Final Call" broadcast for all of us to hear.

DISPATCH: "Beep beep beep.....Dispatch 243? (*pause*) Dispatch 243? To all listening stations and units, Ponce Inlet Police Officer Timothy Pollard, Badge 243 is officially '10-7'." Right at that moment the Volusia County Sheriff's Department Air One helicopter flew directly overhead and it was all I could do to keep it together. A truly great guy and police officer had his life taken away from him and was gone. He had come from a really good family and had a younger sister Tina who suffered from severe Down Syndrome. I didn't learn until months later that Tina had passed away in her sleep the following March. She couldn't understand why her brother never came home and missed him immensely.

The driver of the van, who already had a lengthy criminal history, was charged with the murder of Officer Tim Pollard and sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole where he sits today.

Tim, at 22 years of age your life was cut way too short but you died doing exactly what you wanted to do and for that you will always be remembered.

You made a difference.

R. A. Dea
Volusia County Sheriff's Office (RET.)

September 22, 2017

Great officer, I remember he helped me with an angry drunk on the beach. He was polite and very professional. Such a shame to lose him.

Rich Miller
citizen

April 4, 2015

Tim,

Even after so many years I still find myself thinking of you from time to time. Your energetic enthusiasm and determination to succeed were obvious from the very start.

You, and September 22, 1987, are both that many of us will never forget, and the days that followed. Wow. Twenty-seven years ago I'll never forget the night I'd heard you had been killed. I was so shocked and saddened to hear this dreadful news.

Dwight J. Sams, convicted of your death and sentenced to life with no chance of parole, still sits in a Florida Department of Corrections prison. One thing that was positive that came out of your death was getting Sams off of the street for the rest of his sorry life to commit no more crimes. What a price to have paid to accomplish this.

You performed your duty to your very last breath and for that we are thankful and grateful.

R.I.P. my friend.

R. A. DEA
VCSO / TSA / DHS (RET.)

September 23, 2014

Thinking of you today and of your loved ones as I know their pain as each EOW date arrives. Continue to watch over them. You have not beenn forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

September 22, 2013

We will never forget.. Continue to rest in peace Officer Pollard.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

September 22, 2012

Tim, I didn't get to spend enough time with you growing up. That jerk took you away from our family! I was only 15 when you left us but to this day, I have NEVER forgotten about you and I NEVER will! I love and miss you and Tina dearly and I know that we will meet again one day beyond the pearly gates! Until then, please continue to watch over us all know that I love and miss you so much!

Michele Belcher
cousin

June 14, 2012

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

Officer 11169

February 16, 2012

HEROES live forever, and you sir are a hero. We will never forget the sacrifice that you made for all of us. May you continue to rest in peace Officer Pollard. My prayers are with your family today and always.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Deb

September 22, 2011

Today we keep our pledge to "never forget" the sacrifice and service of our fallen heroes. As President of the Florida Fraternal Order of Police we will be present at the Florida Parole Commission to speak in your honor. God Bless Officer Timothy Pollard.

Sergeant James Preston (Retired)
Tampa Police

June 15, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the twenty-third 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.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

September 22, 2010

I was working the night Officer Pollard was killed and knew only too well the suspect Dwight J. Sams. Sams was from our area and captured by my squad a year ealier. He had escaped from custody in TN and returned to our town to run away with a pregnant 15 year old girl. That lead to the chase in Florida and young Officer Pollard's murder. I spoke with his mother and she sent me a beaughtiful letter and picture of "Timbo". I hope the recent news that Sams might get parole is inaccurate because he is like a cancer that will always hurt and destroy. To Officer Tim Pollard - I salute you sir and although we have never met face to face, we share that horrible night. To the Pollard family, thank you for the gift of your son and the honor he showed the world in his performance as a Police Officer. To Sams, I pray you never step foot from custody while alive. You have destroyed lives for no reason and you belong in a cage.

Fred Kobie

Dispatcher in 1987
Lansdale Borough Police Dept

August 3, 2010

22 SEP 2008

Twenty one years . . .

Once again here it is 22 September and you are thought of on this day, a day that will never be forgotten. Twenty one years have since passed us by since your untimely and highly unnecessary death.

The Timothy T. Pollard Memorial Park was dedicated this morning at Ponce Inlet in your memory and honor. I hope to get by there sometime soon to visit and have a few moments of reflection.

The Timothy T. Pollard Memorial Park
4680 S. Peninsula Drive
Ponce Inlet, FL 32127

Tim, you are thought of and missed on this special anniversary.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert A. Dea
DHS / TSA / former Volusia County Sheriff's Office Deputy

Robert A. Dea

September 22, 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

December 16, 2007

22 SEP 1987

Twenty years . . .

Twenty years since your young life was taken away. I still remember watching the news this night twenty years ago and could not believe what I was seeing regarding your death. I remember it like it was last night.

Where would you be today had you not had your life taken away so callously and selfishly by a cowardly thief?

Would you be celebrating your twentieth anniversary with the Ponce Inlet Police Department and looking forward to your “first” retirement?

Perhaps about now you would you have moved onto other “ventures and opportunities”?

Would you have been married and had a family?

These are but just a few questions of the possible many that we will never know the answers to because you gave your all, while walking the thin blue line, in the line of duty to protect and to serve.

Ponce Inlet Police Officer Timothy Thomas Pollard, badge #243, you are remembered on this date, the twentieth anniversary of your death, but more importantly you are remembered in how you lived your life and that it was not sacrificed in vain for the career that you chose in serving the public.

Tim, although over 20 years have passed by you have definitely never been forgotten.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert A. Dea
DHS / TSA / former Volusia County S. O. deputy

Robert A. Dea

September 22, 2007

Officer Pollard, thank you for your service. Neither you, nor your sacrifice, will ever be forgotten.

Rest in peace.

Michelle - wife of Retired LEO

May 1, 2007

Tim, (243)
Thinking of you and the sacrifice you made. You and your family have not been forgotten, brother!

Sgt Marko Galbreath
Port Orange Police Department

December 1, 2005

Tim had been a friend of mine as we both went through Law Enforcement Training together in Daytona Beach, Florida from the winter of 1986 through Spring 1987. He always had a smile and worked hard to achieve his goal of becoming a police officer. He made friends easily and was well liked by the class. He was a little over weight and I was one of the oldest recruits in the class so we both pushed one another during the physical training aspects of the schooling, particularly running, to work hard and get through PT. His family was present at the graduation ceremony for school and beamed with pride as he received his certification.

I recall the night that his accident was on the news and could not believe what I was seeing, and was very deeply saddened.

I attended Tim's funeral service which was the very first officer memorial I had ever been to. I was totally unprepared for the outpouring of care and compassion.

Sadly, several months after Tim passed away his sister who suffered from severe Downe Syndrome, also passed away from a broken heart. She could not understand why her brother would never return home again.

Tim, although over 17 years have passed by you have definately never been forgotten.

Robert A. Dea
DHS / TSA / Volusia County Sheriff's Off.

December 24, 2004

You are not forgotten.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department

February 18, 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

September 22, 2003