Officer Down Memorial Page

Dear Dad,
I never got the privilege to meet such an amazing man. I am engaged to your son Jim and I thank you for him everyday. I hear stories and he shares pictures of you. I wish I could have met you cause And had the honor to have you in my life. I know you are with us everyday and you watch over Jim and Bobby. People often forget that you weren't just a husband you were!a father,brother,uncle,and son too. It's still so crazy that after Jim and I bought my car and I'll never forget the look on Jim's face. He took the licenses plate out of the envelope and you initials where on them. My plate reads 999JFK. The plate has been in circulation since 2009 so the odds of me getting that plate are like hitting the lotto. It's your way of telling Jim he has your approved of me. You are always in our hearts and will never be forgotten.

Love Always

Shellie Knapp
Daughter-in-Law
May 20, 2012

I kissed your name on the Wall in Washington DC today. Left my pink lipstick there. I used to love to mess you up with that very same pink lipstick. Still doing it!

Saw our puppy's picture on the K9 Wall too.

Quite a few of the Sheriff's Police were there as Special Escorts. They paid great respect to you and to me. Great people, superior Officers.

Now I only get to tell you how deeply I love you and miss you in places like this. But I know you hear me. You can echo me back someday when I am looking at your beautiful face in Heaven.

Eternally,

Your loving Wife Grace

Lt. Grace Castillo Knapp (Ret.CCSD)
Surviving Spouse
May 14, 2012

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

Officer 11169
May 1, 2012

Went to the cemetery on Easter Sunday to visit your grave. It wasn't easy as usual. The longer you're gone the harder it gets. Someone always reminds me that it gets easier with time. IT DOES NOT. But I know you're not there and it's just tradition. You live in my heart. You always will until I meet you again. Only then will I be truly happy again. I left you a love letter as I always do. Hope you read it.

Eternally,

Your loving Wife Grace

Lt. Grace Castillo Knapp (Ret.CCSD)
Surviving Spouse
April 11, 2012

Sorry I missed the party on March 10th. I wasn't informed about it but I'll be there next year. Somebody messed up. But I have so many wonderful memories of you and all of the occasions that have been held in your honor, and the many more to come, so I guess missing one won't make that much of a difference. Love more than life,
Your adoring wife, Grace

Lt. Grace Castillo Knapp (Ret. CCSD)
Surviving Spouse
March 19, 2012

James,
I never had the honor of meeting you in person although I had the pleasure of meeting your sons the other night. I know your proud...they are both handsome and loving and hold their own in conversation. You're future daughter inlaw is beautiful and sweet and can tear up the floor. I can only imagine that there's enough of you in them to reflect what great men they are and will become. Debbie is a doll, you left them in good hands. I know you and my husband sit up there in the heavens smiling down on us while we act up and be crazy...your death is what makes us appreciate the wonderful life you left for us. I'll be reunited with my husband some day and together you two will have to explain the reasoning connected to all this tragedy. God bless your wonderful family.

Member of the Widows Club
March 12, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day in Heaven sweetheart. I miss you so much today and I love you you with all of my heart and soul. To the moon and stars and back again, til infinity times infinity, forever.
Your loving wife, Grace

Lt. Grace Castillo Knapp (Ret.CCSD)
Surviving Spouse
February 14, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 6th 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.

I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. I hold your family in my heart's embrace today. Grace, thanks for sharing your beautiful love story with us and to Bobby, thanks for sharing the devotion of a son.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05
January 4, 2012

It has been six years since you left this Earth. You are not only my husband but you were my best friend. The grief never lessens and the sorrows never pass from me. I am so lost without you. But life goes on because the Lord is not ready for me yet. I pray every day that the Lord provides me with the wisdom to know how to live my life alone until He sees fit to call me home and reunites you and I for eternity. Only then will I be truly happy again. I love you infinity times infinity. You should know that the Department treated me very well at Christmas time. Watch over all of them angel, especially Jeff.

Lt. Grace Castillo Knapp (Ret.Cook County Sheriff
Proud Surviving Spouse of Officer James F. Knapp,CCSPD,EOW 04 Jan.2006
January 3, 2012

It Has Been Six Years Since You Were Called Home To Be With Our Lord Jesus, But It Seems Like Just Yesterday. We All Owe You A Debt, While We Slept Warm In Our Beds You Were There On The Street Away From Your Family So You Could Protect Our Families While We Slept. There Is No Way For Us To Ever Repay You Or Your Family For All You Have Done For Us.. We Will Never Let The Memory Of How Much You Have Done For Us Fade...Nor Will You Ever Be Forgotten.
Thank You James For Your Years Of Service As A Police Officer,..You Gave Up Time With Your Family And Friends To Be On The Job Protecting Our Families. God Holds A Special Place In Heaven For Those That Risk Their Lives To Protect Others Against The Evil In This World. You My Brother Are The True Meaning Of The Word "Hero"!

Deputy Sheriff Alan M Lazarus #10229
Cook County Sheriff's Department
January 3, 2012

It is impossible that Christmas could ever be merry without you here to share it with me. But I will be sharing Christmas with Angie and her family, so you two Jimmys look down and smile upon us all for we miss you more than we could ever say and we love you both. I love you my angel, infinity times infinity, til eternity with you. Your loving wife, Grace

Lt. Grace Castillo Knapp (Ret.CCSD)
Surviving Spouse
December 14, 2011

ALWAYS HONORED......
NEVER FORGOTTEN!!
"Greater love has no man than this, “that a man lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:13

Deputy Chief Paul Philipps
Parsippany Police Parsippany NJ
December 1, 2011

Happy Birthday in Heaven angel. You are my heart. You always were and you always will be until we meet again. I love you to infinity times infinity.

Your loving wife,

Grace

Lt. Grace Castillo Knapp (Ret.CCSD)
Surviving Spouse
October 4, 2011

The summer's over sweetheart. And I dread it. My thoughts turn to your birthday, my birthday, Christmas and the day you left this world. It never changes no matter how much time passes. I miss you so very much and I love you for eternity,

Your Grace

Lt. Grace Castillo Knapp (Ret.CCSD)
Surviving Spouse
September 20, 2011

Darling,

Andy is married now. Shawn is taking his oral exam for the Sheriff's Police tomorrow so you need to look out for him. All of life goes on, unfortunately, without you. I would have loved to share this happiness in your family with you. I miss you every day more and more.

"Meet me where the sky touches the sea. Wait for me where the world begins."

Eternally,

Grace

Lt. Grace Castillo Knapp (Ret.CCSD)
Surviving Spouse
August 28, 2011

On this 4th of July you will be gone from this Earth for 5 1/2 years. The fireworks will be going off. I may look at them .......for a minute......... Because believe it or not, they do evoke a good memory. One of you and I sitting on the deck arm in arm watching them, or of me lying on our lap looking up at the fireworks and your beautiful face. That beautiful face I love so very much. But the negative side of that is that we can do it no more. I try so hard to find the good because that's what everyone says I should do. But no one can tell me how to bring you back.

I love you so much,

Grace

Lt. Grace Castillo Knapp (Retired CCSD)
Surviving Spouse
July 3, 2011

Today would have been our 9th wedding anniversary darling. I celebrate you today on this special day. I celebrate our love for each other, all of the happiness and the laughter, and the time we spent together, although it was much much too short a time.

Your loving wife,

Grace

Lt. Grace Castillo Knapp (Retired CCSD)
Surviving Spouse
June 28, 2011

I'm home from Washington DC. It was a very emotional week, especially seeing your name on that wall again. I left you a beautiful wreath by your name.. You deserve more than that but it's all I can give you, except as usual, my undying love. We both deserve more. You were taken from me much too soon. I love you so much.

For eternity,

Grace

Lt.Grace Castillo Knapp (Retired CCSD)
Surviving Spouse
June 4, 2011

Today I will see your name on a wall in Washington, DC. Others will too. But no one could see it as I do: my life, my love, my everything.

Time passes and the hurt never goes away. If nothing else, it intensifies and is unexplicable to those who don't share my pain. Watch over me my angel.

Eternally,

Your loving wife Grace

Lt.Grace Castillo Knapp (Ret.Cook County
Surviving Spouse
May 13, 2011

I left you some flowers for Easter. It's so hard to go to that cemetery for I know you are not there in that cold dark place. Your soul is in Heaven and you live in my heart. Shirley went to visit you and called me from your grave. She loves you Jim and she is a good friend. Please pray to God that He watches over her father as he is very ill. I spent Easter Sunday alone, but it has never been the same without you anyway. I could be with a hundred people and it would never be the same.

Eternally,

Your loving wife Grace

Lt. Grace Castillo Knapp (Retired CCSD)
Surviving Spouse
April 25, 2011

You were well loved in life, when you passed I said a prayer for you and your survivors. I asked that you watch over your brothers in my family. You are doing a good job of protecting the protectors. Rest in peace but still be our angel.

4copmom
April 5, 2011

Remembering you and your family.

Leanne Heggen-Eckstein
Surviving wife of SA E.M. Heggen, USACIDC
April 4, 2011

You were a great officer and I remember the advice you gave me as a Rookie. Rest in Peace Jimmy.

Police Officer Marc Wiley
Cook County Sheriff's Police
April 4, 2011

Soon it will be Valentine's Day. The Day of Love. Well darling I couldn't love you any more today than I did on the first day I met you so so long ago. Love at first sight. And for every miserable day I have down here without you, I try to remember that for every day that passes, I am one day closer to being with you again, eternally. My heart is and always will be yours alone.

Your loving wife,

Grace

Lt. Grace Castillo Knapp (Retired CCSD)
Surviving Spouse
February 9, 2011

Your Mom will be in Heaven with you for 2 years tomorrow. I miss her smile, her love and the mother in law and daughter in law things we shared. But I am sure that she is so happy being reunited with her Jimmy, the only word she could speak before she died. Give her hugs for me. Tell her I can't wait until the day I can be with both of you again forever.

Eternally,

Grace

Lt. Grace Castillo Knapp (Ret.CCSD)
Surviving Spouse
January 10, 2011