Officer Down Memorial Page

IN LOVING MEMORY

Although an International boundary seperated us and we had never met you were my Brother, my family!!
As soon as you put on the uniform, pinned on the badge, and swore the oath you became part of the largest and most loving
families in the world..the Thin Blue Line family... and you will be forever remembered and loved as long as I draw breath.
And you can rest peacefully my Brother as we are watching over your loved ones, your friends, your co-workers, because that is what family does....we look out for each other...
We are here to take up the fight that you so dearly loved and we shall all make you proud...
You fought the good fight with dignity, pride and honor, and that is the making of a true hero, a brother, a loved one...
And I'm not ashamed to say that I will shed a tear when your name is mentioned..as you are my beloved Brother and I miss you..
And what gives me the courage to go on is knowing that when my time comes you will be waiting for me with open arms in
the roll call room above and say, "Welcome Brother..I have saved a place at St. Micheals table for you, and now we can catch up
on what I have missed"....
Sleep peacefully Blue Angel as you have earned your rest....and I and every LEO worldwide love you, miss you, and shall never ever forget you.......
You are loved now and forever by your Thin Blue Line family..you always will be..
Rest my Brother..you have earned it....
I love you..... I miss you....
Your Brother in Blue.....
Tom

Rest in Peace Brother knowing you are loved..and never forgotten....
S/SGT. T. David Hanna RCMP-GRC
May 22, 2012

Rest in peace and may god bless you.

Lt.J.Pease
B.P.D
February 9, 2012

Uncle Vince, you are missed dearly. Even though you are not here, both of my girls know and love you. Thank you for watching over us. We send our love.

Dena
Neice
February 9, 2012

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

Officer 11169
February 4, 2012

To My Brother Vincent,
You will never be forgotten and your 6 sibling's that are left missing you and our parents, I know we will see you and Mommy and Daddy together one day. Love your one and only family.

Love your Sister
Anne,
Love Rich, Kristi and Julia

Anne Julia Castrati
January 1, 2012

Vince,

I can remember the last time I saw you at the Wawa in Williamstown right before you got the job at the port authority. We was reflecting on policing because at that time I was doing Class I work in Ocean City and you was doing some work down the shore as well.

Now every time I cross the bridge I salute you and make sure I look at your name on the building.

Rest in peace, my friend I miss you

Linus Bolden

Linus Bolden/Class II
Friend
August 16, 2011

Vincent, although I never had the priviledge of knowing you, and you left this world 5 yrs before I came to Delaware, your name still comes up from time to time while I am on patrol. Just tonight, I was patrolling a community and an older man had expressed his appreciation for what I do, and he mentioned that he still recalled the day you left us. He said that is was so senseless, the other driver wasn't paying attention and you were too young and too handsome (yes, a man said this so it must be true!!! lol) to be taken to heaven this soon. I could sense his appreciation for the ultimate sacrifice you made that day, and know that you are not forgotten, even by those who never knew you. Rest in peace brother.

Gina
Nccpd
July 2, 2011

Vince,
When I worked on the ferry as a summer officer, we talked many a day aboard the boats. Even though I was only a "seasonal" officer at the time, you did not speak down to me, you treated me like an equal. I will always remember talking with you and thinking about how I could start my career in law enforcement. I may be 3000 miles away here on the West coast, but you are not forgotten.

Rest in peace and save me a spot up there!!


Ofc. R. Poole #183
South Lake Tahoe PD

Officer Ray Poole
South Lake Tahoe Police Department
May 16, 2011

Vince,

Your name came up today in briefing, funny how time goes by. Seems like only days ago we were talking in the station about all the police officers being killed and how tired we were of going to the funerals. I think we were going to Lee Gonzalez's funeral. We haven't been over to Twin Bridges in a few years now because we use the ferry but I still think about what you said to me in the station that day, it seemed like only a couple of days later my wife was yelling out the door at me to come look at the TV. Rest in Peace Vinny you are always in our thoughts.

Lou Branda and family

Lt. Lou Branda
March 15, 2011

So young. You are not forgotten.

Constable Amanda Pandolfi #1249
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada
February 9, 2011

We had a connection that not many in our families understood. I looked up to you as if you were my own brother and were grateful for the years we knew each other. It wasn't easy keeping the peace amongst all, but with you around, things were smoother and more enjoyable.
Sometimes I wonder how it would be now if you were still alive on this earth and part of my family. Would you be laughing at my children's jokes, attending my family gatherings, giving my nieces dates the evil eye, enjoying the awesome dance moves my son has (and teaching him some more)? What would your children be like?
These 14 years without you have never been easy and has been filled with a lot of "what if's". At least I'm comforted to know I had a lot of fun "we had's" and the memories often bring me peace.
We all loved you, your smile, your laugh, your heart, your dance (yeah, you were the best at this - hands down). I do my best to pass the memory of you to my children and hope you are watching over them from heaven, along with the rest of your neices & nephews. Someday we'll see each other again, and when that time comes I request a hug and a dance my Brother!

Peggy O'Neill
Sister (step)
February 9, 2011

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ
December 13, 2009

To Officer Vincent Julia and his loved ones:

On this the thirteenth anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart is with all family members who call you beloved. They are all in my thoughts and prayers today.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Julia. I am so humbled by your valor and service.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Vince gave to his community and the citizens of Delaware, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on February 9, 1996.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

Anonymous
February 9, 2009

Dear Vincent...I think of you and your mother (my only sister Betty) each September, and know that you are together in heaven. Your loving Aunt Nancy

Nancy Bazil
Aunt
September 9, 2008

Uncle Vince,

Love you and miss you. You are always in my thoughts. I tell Jaime about you.

Love
Dena

Dena DiMatteo
Neice
April 11, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH
February 7, 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 9, 2007

Vince,
I just came to your picture today in our old high school yearbook. You wrote to me how we had become friends in homeroom over the years. You said that I enlightened your day. I never got to tell you how you enlightened my days. And even though it is now over 20 years later, the memory of your smiling face brings a smile to mine. Wishing you peace............Michele

Michele Huston-Drummond
Friend
September 9, 2007

Though this tragic accident occurred two years before I became a Trooper and though I never you, I remember this incident quite well. You are often thought of by many in the law enforcement family here and you will always be remembered. Rest in peace my friend.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
February 9, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this 11th anniversary of your EOW. You have not been forgotten by those that love you nor will the members of the Blue Family ever let you be forgotten. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones. Also, those still out on patrol. You are a true hero and heroes never die.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
February 9, 2007

Vince,

I was cleaning out my draw and found numerous Mass Cards and other items from some of the police funerals I had attended when I was on our Honor Guard. I remembered that we went to alot of these together because you were on the Delaware River and Bay Authority Police Departments Honor Guard. I can't help but laugh when I think of you comming into the station to go with us. You always had a smile on your face. We both laughed and said we were getting sick of go to these funerals. And then we were all going to yours. You were a great guy and we think of you often. Everytime I go over the bridge with my family I pray for you and your famiy. REST IN PEACE VINCE for God protects those who protect others.

Lt. Louis Branda MTPD

Lt. Louis F. Branda
Monroe Twp. Police
October 28, 2006

Love and miss you dearly Uncle Vince. You will always be in my heart.

Kristi

Niece
August 21, 2006

You were a bright light that went out too early. Before we all were ready. God bless you.

Yvette & Kathleen
February 9, 2006

You were my sister Betty's youngest child, and you joined her in heaven at such an early age. We were always very proud of you, and the memory of your handsome face will live in our hearts forever, dear Vincent.
Your loving Aunt Nancy

Nancy Bazil
Vincent's Aunt Nancy
August 26, 2005

I love You . I miss you.
you will always be in my thoughts.you will not be forgotten.We will not forget you .
Love You,
Julia*

Julia Geschwindt*
July 3, 2005