Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

John W. Little is my great-great grandfather. Obviously I never had the opportunity to meet him, but his legacy is very meaningful. He was killed only months after losing his home to fire and while his wife was pregnant. My great grandfather was just a 12 year old boy at the time. As I've read the story, it never ceases to be an unbelievable tragedy, but it also reinforces his character. The Birmingham News received a letter from judge Lee C. Bradley, after Little's death, who wrote:

"In his official career he was absolutely incorruptible. No consideration could swerve him from the performance of his duty, and although in ordinary intercourse, he was modest and gentle, in the performance of his duty he was brave and bold. He was a model officer and in his private life an exceptional man..."

Thank you all for honoring him here.

Jamie Cartledge
Great Great Grandson

September 2, 2021

No passage of time can ever erase your service and sacrifice. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

November 7, 2020

Officer Little,
On today, the 110th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Birmingham. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

November 7, 2018

Officer Little,
On today, the 109th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Birmingham. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

November 7, 2017

RIP Officer Little. 105 years ago today you made the ultimate sacrifice for the people of Alabama and the United States. Thank you for your service.

Anonymous

November 7, 2013

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

December 18, 2012

I knew his story from my family and the generations of Little family. I am so proud of my great grandfather who gave his life and sacrifice to protect the life of others. I felt a great honor for his heroism and his service. My father and grandfather would be so proud of him. I always keep him in my thoughts and he's never forgotten. Rest in peace.

Polly Little Ondrusko
Great-granddaughter

Polly Little Ondrusko
Great-granddaughter

September 20, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 102nd 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater

November 7, 2010

On the 100th anniversary of Officer Little's death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Officer Little is not forgotten.

Sergeant Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

November 7, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

VanDenBerghe
NH

November 3, 2007

Off. Little, you served our city courageously and you will never be forgotten.

Off. R. Dean Pesnell
Birmingham Police Department

January 18, 2007

We pause to honor the memory of Officer Little and extend our thoughts & prayers to any and all surviving family members on this anniversary of this death.


May God keep, comfort, and strengthen you.

Major D.W. Warren
Montgomery, AL - Police Department

November 6, 2006

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

Officer 11169

September 25, 2006

No Officer that gave his life should be without reflection. "For those who pledge to uphold it, freedom requires a sacrifice the protected will never know."

Anonymous

January 4, 2004