Police Officer James Francis Dougherty San Francisco Police Department California Tuesday, January 11, 2000  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

This is the 9th aniversary of Jim and Kirk's death - every year at this time I think about them and that fateful day. I was the secretary at Park Station from 1986-1990 where Jim worked - that's where I first met him. What a great guy he was - low keyed, quiet, humble. He once took me flying around the Bay Area in a small plane - a trip I'll never forget. In 1999, I was the executive secretary in the Special Operations Division and along came Jim to join Kirk in the Helicopter Unit. They seemed to make a great team. It was good to see him again - a little more than 10 years later - he really hadn't changed - he was still the Jim I knew.

I am still haunted by the chain of events that occured - Kirk had come to my office the day before to tell me they were off to Porterville - and I wished them a safe trip - because the sky looked a little cloudy and rain was approaching. At approximately 1600 hours the day of the accident, Kirk called to check in - that was the last time I spoke to him.

Every year starting mid January - I always think of them - two really good guys and fine police officers who literally gave their life to their job. Whenever I see a helicopter in the sky - I always think of them. They are missed.

M. Noli
SFPD
2009-02-20

You literally GAVE your life for your career. Thanks for your service and sacrifice
on the 9th anniversary of your EOW.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

2009-01-11

Thank you for your many fine years of service. You are
being remembered today on the 8th anniversary of your
EOW.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

2008-01-11

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY SIR AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LONG AND DEDICATED YEARS OF SERVICE. GOD BLESS ALL THOSE WHO LOVE YOU.

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER,NH
2008-01-03

"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
2007-12-06

I spent many a pleasant hour in a radio car and a Piper Cherokee with J.D. He always had a smile and a joke for everyone, and he never met a stranger. A hard-working cop, who only loved flying more than police work. I.P.R., buddy.

Officer Jack Smoot
SFPD
2006-03-29

On the anniversary of your death, may God grant you eternal peace and bring comfort and peace to your loved ones.

2005-01-11

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

Rest in peace.

2004-10-20

Jim and my dad worked many hours together throughout the years in the SFPD and they had a good friendship .

\After Jim was to retire , he wanted to go visit my dad , Officer Don Walden who spent 12 years with the SFPD before joining the Twin Falls Police Department in Idaho where he retired in 1997 as a detective .

The news of Jim's tragic death came as a surprise to him . But Jim was firm , fair and hard working at the job he loved doing the best despite his personal weaknesses . May he rest in peace with the presence of God's angels .

Derrick

2004-10-01

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A grateful citizen.

2004-09-28

I met James Dougherty and Kirk Brookbush in 1999 during a lunch break while attending a P.O.S.T. training course at Buchannan Airport (Sheraton) in Concord. They were in their flight uniforms having lunch at a nearby restaurant table when other officers and I started a conversation with them. They were very approachable fun-loving guys that obviously loved their careers as much then as when they had first started years ago. They were so proud of their aircraft and took us out to the air field to show it off to us. We only spent about a half hour with James and Kirk, but they gave me a lasting impression into police work from the air. My condolences to their families and friends for this tragic loss of life.

~Eric Wernholm

Officer Eric Wernholm
Brentwood PD