Officer Down Memorial Page

May God comfort your heart Mrs Rowland...I was one of the fortunate to retire from my department in 1997 after 20yrs of service..I have deep respect for those who gave their lives protecting their communities and for the loved ones left behind..You are right..The police family is second to none..

Ptlm Gary McCarty (Ret.)
Corning City Police NY
May 15, 2012

I am reminded of the larger "family" of which James was a member....The Policemen and women all over this country.
I, too, read about other fallen officers and cry afresh.
Being his mother, I feel for the other Moms and Dads who have to go on living without that part of their family.
My prayers go out to those others who bear that same emptiness. God bless you all.

Mrs. James A. Rowland, Sr. (Wanda)
Officer Rowland's Mother
May 29, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the tenth 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 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

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
May 15, 2009

Thank you for your willingness to serve your fellowman. May God continue to bless you, your wife, and your son. Rest in peace my brother.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables
May 30, 2008

Jim,
You are gone but not forgotten and are always in our thoughts and prayers.
We will never forget you and your sacrifice.
Dave

Sergeant David Jones
Alaska State Troopers
May 9, 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
July 25, 2007

Still thinking of you brother. We miss you

Billiet
July 11, 2007

What a tragedy. The world has one less hero. The family, friends and coworkers are in our prayers tonight.

May 15, 2007

My thoughts and prayers to your family and co-workers on the anniversary of your passing. May God continue to comfort you all. Thank you for your service and paying the ultimate sacrifice. Heros are never forgotten. Rest in peace.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia
May 15, 2007

G-d bless both you and your loved ones.

May 15, 2007

As the wife of an Illinois State Trooper, a resident of Palmer for all of my childhood, and now part of the community grieving the loss of Cpl Nick Polizzotto EOW 4/24/07, I am reminded of the ultimate sacrifice you made for the place I loved so very much. Rest in peace.

Lisa Lawrence
May 9, 2007

I still remember conversations we had in training sessions, and how much you loved Police work. I was blessed in knowing your Family and working with you while an EMT in Alaska...I think of home and you often...we will meet again. Helen

Helen Stice
Friend
December 27, 2006

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

Officer 11169
November 2, 2006

Rest in peace Brother. My God bless you and your family. R.I.P

Cpl Jean Paul Rochat
Swiss Army, MP Service, Traffic Unit
July 2, 2006

James was a member of the 96-1 Academy and tonight on our 10 year anniversary we salute his bravery, dedication and commitment. Our thoughts and prayers are with our fallen brother and his family. God Bless.

Academy 96-1, Anchorage, Alaska

Academy 96-1
Anchorage Police Dept
April 15, 2006

James, Today is the 10th Anniversary of the 96-1 Academy. We are having a party to celebrate the occasion and most of our academy mates will be here. We will honor your memory and wish you could be here with us. You and the sacrifice you made will never be forgotten.

Officer Jeff Bell (APD 96-1)
Anchorage Police Department
April 15, 2006

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

(Formerly of Seward Alaska)

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)
April 6, 2004

Your death has left a hole our hearts and a gap in our family that can never be replaced! Our thoughts are never passed without many of them being of you. The one being uppermost, how much we miss you!!!

I am thankful that either in life or in death we have one blessed hope; one day we will see you again!!! Until then, we will carry on the fight to see justice done!

I miss you!

Your only sister,

Annette

Annette Rowland

Alot of emotions are coming up again this week. We put your name plaque on the memorial in Anchorage yesterday. It was qiute a sight. There were alot of officers in the formation
from several different agencies. It doesn't seem like a whole year has gone by. I think about you every day and how much I miss you. Too many plans were cut short and too many things were left undone. I miss you very much brother!

GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.  JOHN 15:13     

Tsgt Kurt Brehm
USAF/Palmer Police Reserve

Serving with Officer Rowland as a Military Working Dog handler was an honor.  He epitomized what every officer should be, constantly giving his all and never asking for anything in return.  He knew that the help he offered others was its own reward.  Officer Rowland’s passing was truly a sad day for his loving family, the city of Palmer, Alaska and our Country.  He will continue to be remembered, loved and missed.

Rick Sherman
U.S. Navy Police K9 Corp

I had the pleasure to ride with James as a Palmer P.D. Reserve Officer (9G-37) and we always had a good working relationship. I wish I was still there, and had the chance to help comfort his family and the other Officers that endured the pain of loosing one of their own. My heart goes out to James's family on their suffering. I will always carry my memories of James, Palmer, and the entire Palmer P.D. as I become an officer one day. Never forget.

MSgt Manuel Garcia
USAF

It seems impossible that 2 fine officers were shot and killed within a little over a year of each other.

James, you were probably even in attendance or replacing another officer so he could attend the services in Fairbanks, Alaska. My son was killed 01/01/98, for no apparent reason either. I am so sorry that this happened to you and my heart aches for your family. I was at the Police Memorial being held in Wash, D.C. on the very day that you lost your life, where the officers of 1998 were being honored for their sacrifice. Now you have paid that price too.

As with Kevin, if I somehow could have prevented this I would have for you too. 2 fine, brave young men, what a terrible tragedy, you have been and will continue to be in my heart and prayers as is your family.

Larie (Lamm) Minnery

I'm sorry my friends

For the pain that you feel

Just know that I've given my all.

I didn't turn and run

As some might have done.

When needed, I answered the call.

With Palmer my home

I pledged to keep safe

It's people; it's streets, City Hall.

While you sleep, while you play,

Through the night, through the day,

When needed, I answered the call.

Though gone, I am here,

And forever will be

To protect and to stand proud and tall,

You can live safe and sound

When you know we're around

When needed, we'll answer the call.

Respectfully

The community you protect

(Placed at the Officer James Rowland Memorial by an unknown author)

Submitted by Laurie Heck

God Bless. Rest easy as we will continue for you.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)

May God bless you and your family. Your loss will not be forgotten, for you will always be a member of the police family.

PO Doug Eatherton
St. Louis City Police