Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

49 years ago today my dad went to work and never came home. I was so proud of my dad and wanted nothing more than to be like him and become a police officer. My world crashed down upon me and the best dad in the world was gone. If not for the strength and guidance of my mom, I would not have made it through. This event changed everything in my life’s trajectory and caused a wound that my family has dealt with ever since. I think of my dad every day and every time I see a cop and finally the pain has diminished to the point that I can remember the great times I had with him and not the searing pain of never seeing him again my whole life. I am 63 now and have lived over a decade longer then my father was given and often wonder after giving so much of himself to his country, WWII and KOREA, then coming home and serving the public as a Police Officer what a horrible way to end an amazing man’s life and could never understand and will never forget the little 4 year old girl whose life was taken in the same event. I will carry your name with pride and speak of you often so as to keep your memory alive. My end will come at some point with no fear or complaints as I know I will see you again and we will spend eternity together. Miss you terribly but Always have and always will love you and remember what a great DAD you were. RIP DAD, Jim.

EBRPD Park Ranger Jim Rutledge. Proud son of officer Jimmie H Rutledge. End of watch 6/16/73

June 16, 2022

Sadly I never met my grandfather, I was born 12 years after he passed. But my family loved him dearly and had nothing but great stories about him and how he was a great father, husband and officer.
Berkeley police department commissioned a bust of him and now stands in front of the building.

Breanna Graham

September 3, 2020

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

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

June 16, 2020

Sergeant Rutledge:
Thanks for your service in WWII and above all thanks for your ultimate sacrifice in serving the citizens of Berkeley and the great state of Californian. My father grew up in the area and I've been there many times. You honor our profession and we appreciate your service and your outstanding example of how dedicated peace officers should live their lives.

Jim Lopey, Asst. Sheriff (Ret)
Washoe County Sheriff's Office (Reno) & NVDPS

June 16, 2020

It was January 25, 1967 and my first child was 10 days old.
I stopped a car off San Pablo containing two persons. Although I
didn't know it, they had just robbed a liquor store and were exiting the
area. As I was approaching the car, the driver quickly jumped from his
auto and fired a handgun at me several times at a distance of about 15-20 feet. I returned fire, missed him and he disappeared around a house. As the
passenger emerged from the car with a gun in hand, I fired my remaining
rounds at him, wounding him.

As I tried to reload, the first robber reappeared from the corner of the house. As he stared at me, apparently trying to decide what to do next, we both heard a police siren in the background. He then turned and ran away as I continued to load my revolver.

That siren was a radio car driven Officer Jim Rutledge. As he came on the scene I told him to keep going looking for the armed robber to had just who run off.

I think Officer Rutledge frightened the first robber off which may have saved my life, as I was still trying to reload the damn hand gun.

My son was turned 53 at his last birthday last week.

Jim, I will never forget you.

Roy Nedrow

January 22, 2020

Rest in peace Sergeant Rutledge.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 14, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. You are honored and remembered on the 45th anniversary of your EOW.

Officer Mike Robinson
Upland Police Dept. CA

June 16, 2018

"When a good man is hurt, all who would be called good must suffer with him.”

Euripides

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 17, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 16, 2015

I've thought of Officer Rutledge many times over the years. He was assigned to Berkeley High School where I was a student (I graduated in 1971). He was friendly to everyone and popular with all the students. This was during a time (late 60s, early 70s) when police officers were not necessarily well liked by young people. He took it all with a grain of salt, even wearing a "pig" tie clip (so many years have gone by that I can't remember now if it was gold or silver ... I think it was silver). I was painfully shy as well as being "alienated," but he made a point of being nice to me. The photograph looks like a younger version of him, because I remember him having quite a bit of gray hair, and I knew he was a WWII veteran. A really good guy -- I was crushed to hear what had happened. I don't know if he had a family but I assume he did. I hope they have a lot of good memories.

I was a highschool student
I'm a homemaker & former librarian

April 14, 2015

I've thought of Officer Rutledge many times over the years. He was assigned to Berkeley High School where I was a student (I graduated in 1971). He was friendly to everyone and popular with all the students. This was during a time (late 60s, early 70s) when police officers were not necessarily well liked by young people. He took it all with a grain of salt, even wearing a "pig" tie clip (so many years have gone by that I can't remember now if it was gold or silver ... I think it was silver). I was painfully shy as well as being "alienated," but he made a point of being nice to me. The photograph looks like a younger version of him, because I remember him having quite a bit of gray hair, and I knew he was a WWII veteran. A really good guy -- I was crushed to hear what had happened. I don't know if he had a family but I assume he did. I hope they have a lot of good memories.

I was a highschool student
I'm a homemaker & former librarian

April 13, 2015

I write this reflection for the benefit of the Rutledge family. I hope my reflection brings some relief or Closure or sense of purpose.

I did not know Sergeant Rutledge, but his legacy continues to live 40+ years later. You see, I learned to shoot handguns and became a firearms instructor at my agency via a mentor, I remained an instructor at my agency for 25 years. My shooting mentor had been a Berkley Officer before coming to Oregon, where he eventually retired. He was one of the governors top 20 and taught me most of what I know about shooting and teaching others to shoot. I lead a Church Safety Team and have taught them to shoot, a 4H pistol club, teach Concealed Carry for civilians and firearms at the state academy to rookie officers. My mentors, mentor was Sergeant Jimmie Rutledge.

Through those two people I learned and taught others. I know three officers who are alive today from training provided in part by me and my mentor... and Sergeant Rutledge.

Our lives do have far reaching tentacles that can span generations. Things I learned from my mentor, that he learned from Sergeant Rutledge, saved my life on two occasions. I may not have known Sergeant Rutledge, but I have learned from him.

God Bless the Jimmie Hugh Rutledge family.

RIP Sarge and thanks for your dedicated service to the Thin Blue Line.

Sergeant Darren Squier (Retired)
Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, Bend Oregon

December 15, 2014

Thank you, Mr. Rutledge, for putting your life on the line to serve the community you loved. We are all to responsible.

William Schoenberg
Berkeley Resident

August 11, 2014

RIP Grandpa. I never met you. I never got to see your warm smile. But you guide me threw life and I walk threw the halls at Oakland Technical High School and I always think of you. We all love and miss you. Never forgotten

Sierra Rutledge
Grand-daughter

March 22, 2014

I remember as a teen how you patrolled my neighborhood, and we always talked with you. You influenced me to choose Law Enforcement as a career. I joined up 1 year after that fateful day 2 blocks from my home. I would like to think that you would have been proud that another kid from your beat became a cop. RIP Sarge.

Sgt Pete Elmer ( Ret.)
East Bay Regional Parks Police

February 28, 2014

On the morning of June 16,1973 I was 22 years old and on my way to the Cal campus for a final exam. Some streets were blocked off and detoured. At one intersection I asked a young officer what was going on. With literally a tear in his eye, he softly said, "A cop got killed." Although I didn't know it at the time, I would also go on to have a career in law enforcement, and over the years I would attend a number of police funerals, including those of some of my friends. I recently came across the ODMP website by chance, and started looking up the officers I personally knew or knew about. After all these years, most moving are the comments still posted by their wives, parents, children, and fellow officers. Please know that all whoever wore the badge will never forget the fallen officers and their loved ones.

Sgt. Michael Schott (retired)
Contra Costa County Sheriff's Dept.

March 3, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 39th anniversary year 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 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 that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

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

November 21, 2012

Today as a part of the National Academy, I will read your name at the National Law Enforcement Memorial. I want you and your family to know we will never forget you and your sacrifice.

Lt. Randolph Files
Berkeley Police Departement

July 27, 2011

On the 37th anniversary of Sergeant Rutledge'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. Sergeant Rutledge is not forgotten.

Sergeant Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

June 17, 2010

Rest in Peace, Sergeant Rutledge. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

June 8, 2009

The last time I saw Jim was when he was Sergeant on Dog Watch as we use to say. I had just finished my shift on swings and was getting my things together when I heard this loud laughter coming from the Sgts office.It was Sgt Rutledge and Sgt Laurence.I made eye contact with Sgt rutledge and smiled as I left to go home.This reflection is sent with respect and gratitude for your dedicated service.You served with care and honor.

AL LLANOS
FRESNO PD RET

July 11, 2008

SGT.Rutledge your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Hands now brother. May you rest in peace.

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee

May 27, 2008

Thirty-four years have passed since we lost you. For those of us who worked with you and still remain, time seems to fly by and as we age we forget so many things. But the important people in our lives remain vivid and I often reflect on you and your police service. Although the riots and political climate in Berkeley in the sixties and seventies were times that tried the most patient police officers, your smile was always there to inspire us to do the job to the best of our abilities. Your ultimate sacrifice had a tremendously unifying effect on your brother and sister officers and we were all proud that we had the opportunity to serve with you. The citizens of the City of Berkeley were indeed fortunate to have you guarding their safety for so many years.
You are missed, Jimmie.

Paul Gray
Berkeley PD - Retired

October 11, 2007

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

August 9, 2007

34 years later, time has not diminished your service or
your sacrifice.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

June 16, 2007