Police Officer Jon Clifton Cook San Francisco Police Department California Wednesday, June 12, 2002  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 32 of 33 of 3

"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

G-d bles you and your loved ones.

2007-06-12

I found your profile today through the "Always Remembered" section. Something about your picture just made me want to find out what happened to you. I'm sorry such a tragic accident occurred. Please know that you are not forgotten, and that we still honor you for your service. I hope that your partner and your family have found some peace.

Katie

2007-02-22

My prayers are with you Cook. Another officer was taken from us last night and the tragedy doesn't seem to end. I recently went to visit your family in Oregon and they welcomed us with open arms. We went to your favorite restaurant and had a great time. Your family is wonderful and I am sorry we didn't do it sooner. I miss you Jon.

Romina
SFPD
2006-12-23

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

2006-08-05

Thank you for your dedication to protect and serve the people of San Francisco. My son was on crutches from a foot pursuit when he, in his dress uniform, attended your funeral at St. Mary's Cathedral to honor you. I will always remember that day. Rest in peace.

Carol Espinoza, Mother of
Officer Isaac Espinoza, SFPD
EOW 4/10/04

2006-07-27

May God Grant Officer Cook's Family, Fellow Officers, and Friends the Serenity to accept the things they Cannot Change, the Courage to change the things they can, and the Wisdom to know the difference....Rest in Peace Brother in Blue, you will not be forgotten...

Officer Debra McFall Ross
East Buffalo Twp Police Dept, Lewisburg, Pa.
2006-07-07

To Officer Jon Cook and his loved ones:

Jon, you rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

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, Officer Jon Cook. I am humbled by your valor, courage, and dedication.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Jon gave to his community and the citizens of California, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on June 12, 2002.

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

2006-03-21

I heard about Officer Cook's death on the news that night and my heart goes out to his family .

My father , Officer Don Walden was a member of the SFPD from 1964-1976 before he retired from law enforcement in 1997 and he lost 12 of his fellow officers during that time that he all knew and were friends with .

At the scene of the accident , I placed a token to Officer Cook's memory to honor him . When a police officer dies in the line of duty , race , religion , or sexual orientation does not matter . What matters is the oath that they took to protect and serve us no matter the cost to their own lives to keep the innocent from harms way and bring those who prey upon us to justice .

I grew up in the SFPD family since my father was part of the brother/sisterhood and he still considers himself to this day . Each time an SFPD officer is killed in the line of duty it still affects him and our family , rather we knew the officer or not . Officer Cook and his family and fellow officers will not be forgotten .

Derrick

2004-10-01

God bless you and your family at your tragic loss. You will never be forgotten for your service and dedication.

DE
St. Louis City Police
2004-09-09

Just wanted to let you know that you continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. Our son, Deputy Shane Bennett, was also taken from us on the same date two years ago. We know the pain and suffering you have had an will continue to have. Just know that our sons did a job that they loved and were very dedicated to. May God Bless!

Ron and Annette Bennett
Parents of Deputy Shane Bennett
Harris County Sheriff's Dept., TX
EOW 6-12-2002

2004-06-13

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer.

Today, June 12, 2004 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Police Officer Jon Clifton Cook who died in the line of duty on this date two years ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Officer Cook’s sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC
2004-06-12

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....

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)
2004-04-04

Thank you Sami for leaving a message on my fiance's page. It means a lot to know I am not alone in my pain. It saddens me to know that Dennis and Sami were not the first law enforcement officers to die in the line of duty, nor will they be the last. My heart goes out to Jon Cook's family, friends and coworkers.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Jon is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Jon was well respected and well loved. Thank you for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please take care of my fiance Dennis.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar
Dennis McElderry's fiancee - EOW (01/03/03)

To our brother in blue may you rest in peace. Your family, friends, and co workers are in our thoughts and prayers.

God Bless

Officer D. Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

I went to the academy with Jon,and sat next to him during a majority of the 6 months in the academy. Jon was a quiet and well respected person/leader. I was working the night JON died and I heard the radio transmissions of "Officers Down" I was on the other side of the city and I immediately recalled the call sign for the unit down on the computer and I saw it was JON. I then found out from dispatch that the officer died, JON I am sorry this happened to you and the biggest loss is to your loved ones and your family in the SFPD. Their is something you always rememeber about somebody and with Jon I remember Jon always asking me about my boys and wanting to see pictures of them, I also remember Jon telling me about how he loved Sunday mornings because he would drink his coffee and read the paper and that this was his quiet time. Jon I know that you have that quiet time now and I know you are watching from above.

"There are those in every generation who shrink from the ultimate sacrifice, but in every generation there are also those who make it with joy and laughter and these are the salt of the generations." Patrick Pearce Irish Nationalist Leader (1879-1916)

Officer Neil Cunningham #655
SFPD

Like members of Mr. Cook's family, I was reading my brother's memorial page and then just had to look at the other heroes that are also listed. It saddens me to learn of the great loss that his family and community has suffered, yet I am also filled with the deepest respect and honor for this fine officer. He had also made the ultimate sacrifice, really for all of us. I would like to take a moment and thank his family for their kind, inspirational words. As I'm sure they know, they do give me and my family comfort. Please know that I will also forever keep Jon's family, friends, and the San Francisco Police Department in my thoughts and prayers. Take care everyone.

Charmaine S. Gernale
Sister of Conrad S. Gernale, EOW 9-6-2002

Godspeed, Officer Cook.

To the family, friends, brothers in blue: May your faith in God help you to heal through this tough time. I know it is hard as my family is experiencing the same thing. Know that he went a hero, doing what he loved. Look to the stars & know that he is watching over each and every one of you.

Lori Brown
Aunt of Deputy Renee Azure
EOW 8/06/02

Rest in peace brother.

Lt. David L. Stevens
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office

Hello... I'm Officer Jon Cook's niece. I've looked at this page a hundred times since the accident, and just now found the reflections section. I read each and every comment left by all of you, and all of you made me cry and touched my heart deeply. Thank you. To all of you my family and I say thank you, and to the ones who have also lost loved ones, our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to you.

Now to Jonnie.... How I wish I could have told you how much I love you and respect you. I always have. Not a moment goes by that I don't think of you; you will always be in my heart. I know you're in a better place, but how I wish we could have you back. I love you.

Sami Thomson

god bless you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous

god bless you.

detcitive nash bridges
lapd

“I was that which others did not want to be. I went where others feared to go, and did what others failed to do. I asked nothing from those who gave nothing, and reluctantly excepted the fact of eternal loneliness
...should I fall. I have seen the face of terror and felt the stinging cold of fear. I have loved, cried, suffered, and hoped, but most of all, I have lived times others would say were “best forgotten”. At least some day I will be able to say that I was proud of what I was - A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER!” (Source Unknown Author)

Lt. Greg Minton
Leander Police Dept. (TX)

To the family Of Officer Cook our thoughts and prayer are with you.


Uncle Of Mississippi State Trooper
Paul Denham
E.O.W.
12-27-99

Danny Gibson