Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

11-22-02 I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE DAY OFFICER J.D.TIPPIT DIED. I WAS 17 YEARS OLD.ON THAT DAY,THIS GREAT NATION LOST A PRESIDENT,BUT IT ALSO LOST A HEROIC POLICE OFFICER BY THE SAME ASSASSIN. 39 YEARS HAVE GONE BY SINCE THIS TRAGIC EVENT. SINCE THEN,I HAVE GROWN UP AND SERVED AND RETIRED AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. MY AMBITION TO BE A POLICE OFFICER WAS DUE TO PEOPLE SUCH AS J.D.TIPPIT. MAY THOSE WHO KNEW HIM PERSONALLY KNOW THAT HIS MEMORY WILL LIVE ON. IT HAS FOR ME FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD -RETIRED
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

November 22, 2002

Dear Officer Tippit,

I was a student in junior high school on this date 39 years ago, but my memories of the events in Dallas on that day are as clear as if they had taken place last week.

Though the media emphasis was certainly on the death of our President, I remember so well how sad and horrified I felt upon hearing the announcement that "Officer J. D. Tippit" had been shot and killed. I didn't have to know you personally to understand, even at that young age, that a brave police officer had lost his life doing his job to the best of his ability, no doubt leaving behind family, friends, and colleagues to bitterly mourn his loss. To me, your death on November 22, 1963 was a very sad and memorable portion of that nightmarish day, and I have thought of you and those you left behind many times during the years.

I hope your family members have found comfort and God's peace during the 39 years since that terrible day. I'm certain there are many Texas law enforcement officers and people in the Dallas community who remember you well and continue to grieve for you. Rest assured that there are those of us across the United States who lived through that day of horror who will never forget "Officer J. D. Tippit" and the outstanding job he did for his community and his country in the midst of such a dreadful event in our history.

May you rest peacefully in God's loving arms through all eternity, Officer Tippit. It's truly an honor to be able to post this message to you, and I would be thrilled if you and my friend, Deputy Sheriff Billy Walls, could be available to escort me through Heaven's gates when God chooses to call me Home.

Your selfless act of heroism will always be appreciated, and you will never be forgotten.

Susan Prater
Kentuckian

You will Remain in my prayers from now on !!!

Mr&Mrs.James &Jena Sims
dallas

When officer Tippit left his family that day little did he know that less than two hours later he would be lying dead on Tenth Street.

On the day the world remembers (11 - 22 - 63) it can be easy to forget the guy who very few remember. This man was Officer J.D. Tippit , rank of patrolman with the southwest patrol operations (Oak Cliff) substation, second platoon, Dallas police.

When the voice of "Hello? police operator" burst onto the police radio, J.D. had already left this earth, the victim of a shooting.

Now....almost forty years later , we forget him, sweep him under the rug and fobb him off.

Let us be reminded that 180 police officers are killed in the line of duty every year....so why make this any different.

LET US REMEMBER J.D. TIPPIT, HIS LIFE, TIMES AND GOOD DEEDS THAT DID FROM JULY 28 1952 UNTIL 1:15P.M. ON NOVEMBER 22ND 1963.

Because after all this shy country boy turned peace officer is America's Forgotten Hero.

Lest We Forget.

Ben Hoffman
Dallas PD

It was a infamous day in the history of our country. The one all remember is the death of President John F. Kennedy. The loss of an officer is almost considered both expected and accepted, except to the family...the immediate and the extended family of Law Enforcement officers across this still-great land. The loss of Officer (brother) J.D. Tippit, and the heroic act he was attempting at the time of his death will be forgotten by most, but will never be forgotten by those of us who run in while everyone else runs away. Thank you, J.D., you have served your time in Hell, now, it's good to know we have you and all our fallen brothers and sisters watching our backs. It's not luck we're not with you, it's our Guardian Angels.

Officer Thomas Bain
East Orange NJ Police Department