Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Casey,
On today, the 23rd anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the California Air National Guard-especially when you were in Northern Iraq during Operation Northern Watch after the 1991 Gulf War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 25, 2022

Rest in peace Officer Carey.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 16, 2020

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

October 25, 2019

Semper Fi Brother....May you Rest In Peace and watch over all your brothers and sisters in Blue. You are remembered today as you will be forever. God Bless you and your family and thank you for your service. May God also bless your flying mate that day for his sacrifice.

State Traffic Officer 7185 and United St
California Highway Patrol/San Jose area

October 25, 2019

I worked at ASF 27 where you flew as a reservist. You took me out one day in a Cessna (your commuter from San Jose) and let me fly for just a bit. You were always kind to me and always had a big smile. I still remember your painted shirt from Bill Goforths’s wedding. On 8-18-18, 1SG Bill Clark and I l will be married in New Orleans. We will have a place set for you and the other aviators we’ve lost. Rest In Peace Desmond.”

Andi (Camilleri) Clark
Former Co-Worker, 124th ARCOM ASF 27

August 14, 2018

Thinking of you on this day. Keep the needles centered my brother.

CW3(Retired) Michael Jordan
Light Blue Comanche 91-17

October 25, 2017

Rest In Peace Brother. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

October 25, 2017

Des,

Your love of the Cowboy Junkies impressed me. I knew you and I would always be friends. When I hear "To Live is To Fly" I smile and think of you. Thank you for how kind you were to me. Forever in my heart.

Annonymous

October 24, 2017

This week our academy class are conducting presentations on SJPD Officers who have laid down their lives for the greater good.

It has been an honor to study your life and career, and your heroic actions the day your watch ended.

Your sacrifice has not, and will never be, forgotten. We know you are smiling down upon us as we continue your work.

"Hold The Line"

San Jose PD Academy Class #29
San Jose Police Department

April 21, 2017

Still missing you buddy!

Lt Col Lapostole
California Air National Guard

May 26, 2013

Rest in Peace, Officer Casey. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 22, 2012

Desmond,

You and I had spent some time together as friends and aviators -- Moffett Field and Embry-Riddle; your love of helos and mine of aviation....talk over beers...I appreciated your friendship and mentorship -- you were instrumental in me getting into law enforcement....I will keep you forever in my thoughts and prayers and look forward to seeing you on approach into Moffett....

Walt Grant
RWCPD and FAA

June 4, 2011

Officer Casey,

I was on duty that sad day on Santa Clara Street at San Jose Hospital. When the dispatch alerted emergency tones followed by "Any available unit is needed to response to a code 3 call. It had been such a busy day that everyone was exhausted. The radio was silent. I listened as I was preparing our ambulance for yet another call. Just then the dispatcher said with crackles in her voice. SAN JOSE PD HELICOPTER JUST CRASHED ANY AVAILABLE UNIT MUST RESPOND!!! Every single unit in the system became available and I too grabbed my partner as we headed toward the scene.

I, to this day can remember how sick I was arriving on scene praying for you to be alive or aleast have a chance at living. Instead, God called you home to be with him. I think about you all the time. Everytime I see a helicopter fly I think of you. You and your family are always in my prays. God Bless...

Heather Pomeroy
AMR EMT

October 5, 2010

Des,,
It been 11 yrs since I met you and I never forget you sound so happy when explaining about how to handle helicopter etc, I never forget that day I found out u're gone, I never had chance to thank you but in my heart I know that you hear me said "Thank you Des"

We will meet someday way later :-)

Anonymous

October 25, 2009

Officer Casey,
On today, the 10th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of San Jose. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous

October 25, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 10th anniversary 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I hope to one day meet your family at a NORCAL COPS function.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

October 25, 2009

Des,

It's comming up on 10 years now. I think of your hard work every 25th of October not because of our ride along but because of your intellect, your craving to understand why things worked, and your ability to relate to a technology now a decade old and a simpler time. The world has changed since that fateful day when your skill was all that saved countless lives in the finest tradition of the SJPD. There will never be another Desmond, only a memory of your interactions with friends which I will cherish forever.

God Bless,

Everett

Everett Fred Basham
Personal Friend

October 3, 2009

Hey Des" I never got to thank you for all the times you asked me to go as a Fly A-Long and those time were just awesome. I remember the day your bird crashed and thinking how much you loved to fly and knowing how much of a difference you made in the safety for the people in Santa Clara County. It was you that made me and my family feel there was someone out there watching over us while we slept and we felt safe. I really miss you my friend ,we had some good talks. Take it easy and fly when you can.

Your old friend Bill

Bill Gates
Friend

September 20, 2008

"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

December 6, 2007

On the 8th anniversary of Officer Casey'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. Officer Casey is not forgotten.

Agent Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

October 25, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

VanDenberghe
Nh

October 20, 2007

Officer Casey,

Although we never met, I was in attendance at your funeral several years ago. At the time I was a police cadet for the San Mateo Police Department. Your's was the first ceremony I had ever attended for a fallen officer.

Since that time and through my service in the Navy, I have flown helicopters and several other aircraft. I have come to realize that without a doubt piloting a craft that is inherently unstable is the most difficult challenge for an aviator. Not to mention one with mechanical failure.

The skill and courage that it took for you to pilot that craft without endangering others is a credit to yourself and your agency. For that you have my utmost admiration.

Very Respectfully,

Jeremy A. Badillo
Midshipman, USN

Midn Jeremy A. Badillo
United States Navy, San Mateo Police Department

February 6, 2007

Every time I look at police helicoptor..i always thinking of you watch over us-as guardian angel

Anonymous

January 28, 2007

Everytime I see helicoptor..I always think you are begin guardian angel usin helicopter and look all over places to make sure we going okay...

Rather be Ghost

January 8, 2007

I can't believe it's been 7 years. I know you're still helping me from above. I miss your friedship. You did it all right Des. There was nothing you could have done. You flew it to the end. We'll fly again together another day!
Enjoy your new wings, you've earned them.

John Butler
friend

October 25, 2006