Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I was 4 years old when Officer Tippit was murdered. For years I've wondered about him and his family. He was a hero! I know his family has suffered much from this senseless tragedy. May he rest in peace. And may God continue to bless his family left behind.

Chaplain David Copeland
White County Sheriff's Dept. Arkansas

March 6, 2008

I was ten years old, when both the President and you were taken by an assassin's bullet. Thank you for your service to the citizens of Dallas, and the United States of America. God bless you Officer Tippit, and rest in peace.

Jim Walker
none

March 4, 2008

Your killer shot the president and took yor life. You lost your life trying to protect the public from a killer. You are a hero. Your death was just as important as President Kennedy's. So the killer murdered a good president and a good police officer.

Kenny Yelton
None

February 23, 2008

Officer Tippit,
On this most imfamous of days you paid the ultimate price for anyone in Law Enforcement. Your actions warrant recognition of the highest award. You could have just turned a blind eye and not gotten involved but you did your job like we are expected to do. Today another brother in arms from your Department joins you in God's glory.

Ptl. P A Notto
Schenectady, NY Police Dept.

February 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

February 5, 2008

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

January 9, 2008

Dear Officer Tippit ~

44 years since you were taken on that terrible day in 1963; seems impossible that so much time could have passed. The memories are quite fresh and still very painful. Just want to tell you again that you'll never be forgotten.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Rest in peace forevermore.

Susan Prater
Kentuckian

December 28, 2007

You saw something that was not right. You acted on that gut feeling and it cost you your life. Thank you for your service. You did not die in vain.
Rest in Peace, Brother.

Sgt. Brian Burton
Ft, Wayne In. PD

December 27, 2007

I have read so much about you and I was so pleased to find you on this web site. Thank you for your actions that day. I remember being so frightened over the killing of President Kennedy. I was 14 years old and remember everything just stopping. You Sir are a hero, distinguished by your actions of the day and by the profession you chose.
History and your story will never be forgotten.

Pat VanDenBerghe
Manchester, NH

November 29, 2007

Officer Tippit, sorry I missed your actual anniversary of November 22nd, but please know that you are always in the hearts and thoughts of your law enforcement brethren for ever and ever. Happy Holidays and rest in peace always my friend.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

November 25, 2007

Officer Tippit,

Rest in peace brother.
You dedication, your professionalism, and your actions leading up to, and including that fateful and tragic day in 1963, will never be forgotten.

You were, and still are, a true hero.

DPD BLUE.
What an honor, you and your family can always have, knowing you were a part of it.

Detective Dave Howell
Plano,Texas Police Dept-Auto Theft Unit

November 23, 2007

As a result of their actions in Texas, Charles Whitman and Lee Harvey Oswald left a terrible stain upon those of us proud to be known as Marines.

Officer Tippit, may You Rest - In - Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

November 22, 2007

J.D. - Happy Thanksgiving to you and may your family find peace this Holiday. You and your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Cpl. Sean DeGrilla
Orange County Sheriff's Office (FL)

November 22, 2007

Though all of us are saddened by your heroic death, today is Thanksgiving. You deserve a proper greeting for this day. Happy Thanksgivig.

Darrell Cook Retired Police Tennessee

November 22, 2007

We have not forgotten the sacrifice that you and your family made on this day.
Rest in peace
Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Deborah Roelandts (911 retired)
Oconomowoc Wisconsin

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc

November 22, 2007

I was 6 when you died and lived around the corner.I can rember playing in your yard with my brother Freddy and your son Curtis. Thanks for your service
rest in Peace.
Randy Bennett

Randy Bennett
neighbor

October 8, 2007

I wasn't even born the day you gave your life, but I have learned a great deal about the sacrifice you made. I know now that you were simply checking a subject who fit the description and may not even have known that he was the suspect in the assasination of the president. How many times a day do we all stop people, not knowing what crimes they may have committed?

Thank you for being there that day. No doubt, without you, the murderer may have escaped and there is no telling how the country might have reacted.

Sergeant
Anne Arundel County Police, Md.

September 30, 2007

Dear Officer Tippet:

I happened across this memorial site tonight and was both saddened and proud to find your entry.

I was just 8 years old, and in grade school in Dallas (where I was born), on the day you gave your life for this nation, sir.

However, I remember it as if it were yesterday.

I think of you often, especially on November 22nd of every year.

In a strange twist of fate, many years ago, at a friend's house, I met a young man who was (at the time) an EMT and who was the friend's brother's EMT partner.

When I was introduced to him, I was a bit surprised by his name and I immediately responded, "Your last name is Tippet? Like Officer J.D. Tippet?"

He was quiet for a moment and then softly replied, "Yes, he was my father. I was very young when he died." It was obvious he did not want to discuss it and I felt instantly contrite. I told him I was sorry for bringing up a difficult subject and that I felt his father was a hero - and thanked him for his own work.

He nodded to me, smiled faintly, then he and his partner left.

Your son was very polite - and very handsome (a reflection of his father) - it was an honor to meet him, and, unfortunately, I've never had the pleasure of seeing him again.

At the time, sir, I was told your son was a very dedicated firefighter and EMT. I don't know if he still is in that field as that chance meeting was over 20 years ago and I've lost touch with his partner's sister.

I've often wondered how he and the rest of your family are faring; they are all in my prayers as are you, sir.

I will never forget your son from that day, or you, Officer Tippet. You gave your life doing the job you loved -- protecting and serving.

Because of you, sir, my parents instilled in me a deep respect for those serving in uniform. I was also taught to thank any man or woman serving in uniform, and, to this day, I make a point of doing so.

I am unable to shake your hand, sir, but I can thank you.

I am grateful for your sacrifice; you will always be remembered, Officer Tippet...

YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

LRVirgil, Civilian
Dallas & Mesquite, Texas Police Supporter

September 28, 2007

You along with many others died withoout just cause AND YOU ARE A HERO !

mike joylen
aust paramedic

August 20, 2007

Officer Tippit, Rest in Peace, Your a Hero.

C.O.Stephen Celestino
Westchester County Dept.of Correction,NY

July 29, 2007

Ofc. Tippit, I have recently read several books re the killing of our president(and yourself) and have come to appreciate, all the more, the sacrifice you made that day. The pictures of your grieving widow and your children will haunt me forever. RIP...You did your country a great service and we (normal-thinking citizens) honor you.

Civilian
Citizen

June 26, 2007

Cook has it right on. We can't imagine what whould have happened if he had not stopped Oswald. If citzens had not witnessed the murder of J.D. and no one picked up the mike allowing for the imeadiate response to the scene. And pointed out for responding officers Oswalds direction of travel. Would the killer of the President ever be identified? Maybe-maybe not. It also proves what a lot of cops say: there is no such thing as a routine stop. J.D. was the hero of that day and deserves the recognition he later received.

citizen

April 28, 2007

I was in the fifth grade the day you and the President died. It was'nt till I became a cop that you seem to stand out and I understood exactly what you had done. If you had'nt of made that stop they may have never solved the killing of our President. Your sacrafice helped our nation heal. You are a hero and you will always be remembered. God bless.

Darrell Cook Retired Police TN.

February 16, 2007

Rest easy, Brother. You are not forgotten.

Trooper
Michigan State Police

February 7, 2007

His community is truely a better place because of him and what he stood for, Officer Tippit you did not lose your life that faithful day, you gave it in service to others.
A TRUE HERO

Detective Ben Smith
Red Springs Police Department , N.C.

January 14, 2007