Officer Down Memorial Page

Thank you for your service Sir, RIP

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)
March 12, 2012

To Tommy 'Lockjaw' Sewell. You knew me as David Deluca when we attended the academy together along with John Demarco, John McCabe, and the others in our class platoon. I bought your motorcycle when you needed money to buy a better one, I sold you my snubnose 38 revolver when you needed an off-duty weapon, I went to Lou Turks with you the day we graduated the academy, and we all went to the Frog somthing or other bar downtown with our wives the night of our graduation. I will never forget the night we were at the FOP Lodge 5, and Steve Branco dropped that beer bottle and we all just watched it roll across the dance floor spilling beer as it rolled missing the feet of all of the dancers on the floor. I tell that story to anyone who will listen. I have since finished twenty five years in law enforcement and am now the Chief of a campus security department in Virginia for the past ten years. I left Philly to continue my LE career in Texas, and I was shocked when I got the news of your death. I will never forget you or the others that I served with in Philly. I give to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund every year in your honor and I have visited you on the memorial wall in DC. Heros live forever Tommy!

Chief David Carlson
Hollins University Security Department
June 18, 2011

God Bless you Brother. Know that we all are looking out for your Bride and think of you and your sacrifice often. Semper Cop.

Sgt. Bobby Yantorno
N.P.D.
March 12, 2011

I was going through some old photos and came across our academy class pictures and some photos of when we were on the street. I was at your 20th anniversary ceremony and mark each March 12th. It seems just like the other day all of us stood at roll call, went to the FOP and other off duty social functions. Its been almost 30 years since we graduated. I still see some of the people we used to hang around with and each time you are remembered, we will never forget you Tommy.

Chief John DeMarco
Upper Uwchlan Township Police Department
October 13, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06
March 12, 2010

God Bless you Tom, my prayers go out to the family.

John Mangan
June 30, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 20th 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 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

Anonymous
March 17, 2009

Sgt. Sewell & Family,

On this date the 20 year anniversary of your ultimate sacrifice may you still rest in peace sir and may your family continue to have the strength and courage to continue to move forward in life without you. Although I did not know you and was not a member of the department when you served I feel I still owe you a THANK YOU for you and your family's sacrifice! Rest easy my brother in blue we will continue to keep watch in your absence...

Police Dispatcher Vince Pasquarella
SEPTA Transit Police Department
March 11, 2009

I think of you often, Tommy. Your life was taken far too early and yet I know that from your death great hope remained. Hope for a better safer future...in the memory of your sacrifice.

Lynn Ruppert
Cousin
October 2, 2008

I had the pleasure of working with Tommy; he was a gentleman and a professional.

Deputy Chief David Rahinsky
Franklin Police Department, Franklin, Tn
March 23, 2008

May you always rest in peace and know that you will never be forgotten.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
March 12, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
March 12, 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
January 24, 2008

Thank you for being a hero, if help other police officer learn to take the job good and be a real police officer. Thank You and Rest in Peace.

Off. Abney
Chester-Upland School District PD
July 25, 2007

It is hard to believe it has been that many years since Tight Tommy's death. We had a great time working together as partners in plainclothes. The tours were always enjoyable. Tom was a great guy who was always prepared. Hence known as tight tommy sewell. We also got to know a great deal of people throughout the city and transit system together. He is missed, especially those great sayings.

Off John McCabe
Cheltenham PD
April 6, 2007

Sgt. Sewell, today marks the 18th anniversary of your murder. The passengers and employees of the transit system owe you and your brothers and sisters a huge debt of thanks for the job you do every day. You gave your life on behalf of that system and those people. You are a hero and have not been forgotten.

God Bless and may you continue to Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.
March 12, 2007

God bless you hero.

January 18, 2007

I remember hearing of this incident from a classmate of mine at the Academy who was a former Transit Officer. I'm sure a day does not go by that your fellow oficers do not think about you and the kind of officer that you were. From a fellow officer just several miles to the South who never had the pleasure of knowing you, thank you for your courage and sacrifice always!

Cpl/1 STeven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
September 18, 2006

I start my training for the Septa Transit Police in May 2006. By reading your reflection, your sacrifice and commitment to the department has given me the courage to pursue this field. You are a prime example of a true hero and I will do my best to serve the citizens in this city as you did. God bless you brother, and your family. May god watch over you as well as them.

Mr. McCray
April 4, 2006

rest easy sgt. we'll carry on the watch.

February 20, 2005

Tommy, it is almost 16 years now since I got the phone call about your death. I can still remember it as if it were today. Your friends that went to the academy with you, stood at roll call with you, enjoyed good times with you and patroled the city streets with you, still feel your loss after all of these years. We carry on your loyalty to duty and will never forget your sacrafice. Rest well our good friend.

Chief John DeMarco
Upper Uwchlan Township Police Department
February 15, 2005

Thank you for your service, Sergeant Sewell. Our police officers are the only protection we have from dangerous criminals who terrorize innocent people, and Sergeant Sewell certainly proved that he was up to the challenge to protect us. He has to be in heaven now after all these years, receiving his reward for serving his fellow man so greatly. Thank you for fighting the good fight!! I sincerely hope his family has been doing well over the years. This nation owes you a debt that it cannot repay, thank you.

Pat
Baltimore County Police Explorer