Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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

October 17, 2007

My prayers are with you and your family. Rest easy Brother.

Former MD Police Officer
Fauquier County, VA

August 16, 2007

Thank you for your service, rest in peace

Investigator
New York State Troopers

July 10, 2007

Jim,or as many of us called him, (Chico),was one of my best friends. We played ball together,joined the military at the same time and shared many common interests which included sports, working out and paling around. We had a lot of laughs. I still think of him often and wish his family well.I'm sure he will be well remembered by us all.

Gene D (Gompers and Fenger H.S.)

Gene Derow
elementary and HS friend

August 23, 2006

true hero you are rest in peace fellow brother in blue... never forgotten

P.O Suroviak
Lynwood IL Pd.

August 19, 2006

I am Jim's daughter Jackie and I was only 6 months old when my Dad was sadly taken from me, my Mom Judy and my brother John. This week on the 16th, it will be 36 years that he is gone. It makes me so happy to read the Reflections that other people have left about my Dad. He really is Not Forgotten! Dad, I know that you are up in Heaven looking down on all of us and I want you to know that I love you with all my heart! I miss you every day and I wish that you were here. God had other plans for you and I accept that, but my heart still aches for the Father that I was never given the chance to know. God Bless and watch over the men and women of the Chicago Police Department. I love you Dad!

Jacqueline Alfano Stone
Daughter

August 14, 2006

JIMMY WAS A GOOD FRIEND AND A GOOD COP......HE HAS BEEN SORELY MISSED........WE HAD MANY LAUGHS TOGETHER.....I THINK OF HIM OFTEN......MY YOUNGEST SON JIMMY IS A PORT ST LUCIE POLICE OFFICER......I'M VERY PROUD OF HIM AND WISH THEY COULD HAVE MET.......GOD BLESS......

DENNIS H. OLSON PTLMN
CHICAGO P.D. GOOD FRIEND

May 23, 2006

Chico, was a year ahead of me at St Catherine of Genoa and the same at Fenger,was with him in scouts His Dad also ,I think of you often Jimmy, and remember you going across the Calumet river at Halsted street hand over hand on the beams under the Bridge,also remember Sgt.Roy Swanson telling me that You were a by the book Copper Prayers for you Chico Tom Bauza

January 19, 2006

A Man who cared about protecting innocence by not protecting guilt.

Dave
Childhood friend, fellow Marine

January 6, 2006

I whis to extend my sympathies to the Alfano family. I knew Jimmy when we were boys in the Boy Scouts at St Catherine of Genoa, troop 769. Jimmy was an Explorer scout and I was just joining. He was someone I looked up to and respected. He joined the army and while in Tiapei he was a Ranger and took up Sky diving and Karate. He opened a Katate school at 103rd and Halsted where my Dad(who was our scoutmaster) went to visit him(He had broken his toe in a bad kick to the bag). He once fell 2500 ft when his two parachutes tangled & walked away with a broken leg. I have often thought of him over the years, he was part of a group of older boys who showed us younger kids respect and friendship. He set the example for us, taught us how to treat others. He showed us that being kind to someone is not a sign of weakness. May God have mercy on him and his family.

Jim Mulhearn
none

May 1, 2005

Jim Alfano
You called me by my nickname "Hoppy". We worked out together in the martial arts, when I was just a teenager in the 60's. You were one of the best Karate Ka's I ever knew and one of the toughest men I ever sparred with. You inspired me to become a Chgo police officer which I did in 1967 and I retired in 2001. You were highly respected as a Police Officer. That tragic day, in the alley behind the southmoore hotel the Chgo Police Dept lost one of its best men and I lost one of my best friends....ever.

Allen (Hoppy) McGrew

Allen (Hoppy) McGrew
Ret. Chgo. Ptlmn.

April 3, 2005

Uncle Jim, it has been 35 years since you were taken from us. We miss you and think of you every day. A great cop,husband, father, son and uncle. Why you were taken from us on that terrible night we were to young to understand. You tried to make it better for everyone in your short life. You were a shining star in my eyes. A cops cop loved by everyone. Rest in Peace Uncle Jim

Uncle Jims Kids
family

March 15, 2005

Uncle Jim. I remember when you brought the patrol car for all of the kids to see. I cannot be 35 years since you were taken from us. We miss you and love you.All of the kids loved their Uncle Jim. A great cop, a loving husband,father,son, and uncle. God bless you

March 15, 2005

Rest in Peace James, May god bless you, your family, friends and all at the CPD.

Det Tony Brisinte
Orange County SO Orlando FL

November 4, 2004

RIP JAMES- RESIDENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD CAN'T BELIEVE ITS BEEN OVER 30 YEARS. YOUR SACRIFICE IS NOT FORGOTTEN

October 11, 2004

you are not forgotten brother rip

S/A G.Rowe Jr
RR Police Department NJ DIV

September 29, 2004