Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My heart and prayers are with all of you,

Sergeant Mark Freeman
Spartanburg County Detention

I just got home tonight from the peace officer memorial in Washington D.C honoring my Austin PD. classmate, ex-Border Patrol shiftmate and all that had given their life in the line of duty. I read my e-mail and recieved word from my Border Patrol buddy in Laredo, Tx. that a high school classmate of his had died in his hometown of Chattanooga. I sit here now with moist eyes reading the reflections written by so many people. Ofc. Jacks does exemplify to me what a "HERO" is and everday, I can only hope that I have the courage and integrity to serve as well as she did. To the family, friends, co-workers, and especially her fiance, I pray that God watches over you as you too have given a sacrifice. God took this angel from our midst to serve by his side in Heaven. Please know that her story will not be forgotten. To my brothers and sisters, I pray that the lord watches over you as our work is not done yet. Ofc. Jacks rest easy my sister for you have done your job with the highest of honors.

Ofc. Steven Willis
Austin Tx. Police Dept.

I will never forget the sinking, sick feeling I experienced on the morning of May 6, 2002. While sitting at my desk, the dispatcher "buzzed" me and said solemnly, "A Chattanooga Police Officer has just been shot." My first instinct was to close my eyes and silently say, "Why God? Why another?" Then I realized what I had said and asked God to forgive my questions, but I knew He understood.

As time passed that day, we learned more about the tragedy -what happened, how it happened, and the name of this Officer that "paid the supreme sacrifice while serving others." Officer Julie Jacks... I cried. A grown man cried. A man who for more than 26 years has been in the law enforcement profession, and for almost 25 years been a trooper - cried! I remember thinking that I didn't know Julie personally, but I knew her as a person.

You see, I knew her as a person, because to be a police officer she must have been "called by God" into our profession. She must have had those same eutopic thoughts that I experienced as a young officer, that "I can make a difference in this world." Then, as time passed, I learned that she DID make a difference in this world. Officers who worked with her spoke of her energy and dedication to service to her department, fellow officers, and to her community. Citizens spoke from personal experiences of her care and concern for them, of her smiles and her empathy. Then on Friday, May 10, 2002, all my first thoughts of this previously "unnamed and unknown" officer were confirmed. I was right - Chief Dotson said she had been "called" into our profession - her Pastor spoke of her love for her job, her family, and her fiance' - the father of a childhood friend spoke of joy she brought to those closest to her, with her energy, smile, and personality, as well as her dedication to "get the job done." Even though I hadn't known Julie personally, I had known her as a person because "God always takes the best!"

I was honored when I was asked to play "TAPS" for Julie. Although I've played for hundreds of funerals, this one was the toughest for me. Julie was so young, and her death was such a tragedy and such a tremendous loss for her family, friends, her Department and fellow officers, her community and the citizens she served, and to the world.

To Julie's fiance' Officer Bobby Moses, her biological and professional families, friends who knew her, and the people she served, God must have really needed "the best of the best to patrol those streets paved like unto gold!" Thank you for sharing her with us. I share in your loss, and pray that God will comfort you and fill you with His peace and grace. Even though I don't know the day nor hour, I do know that some day I will get to meet that wonderful person, Officer Julie Jacks #940 in Heaven's Fox Team!

Lt. Michael Walker
Tennessee Highway Patrol - Chattanooga District; T.H.P. Honor Guard

I was deeply saddened by reading of the falling of your little warrior, Julie Jacks. I would have loved to have known her. You have truly lost a real treasure. The following words once helped me. I hope they can be of some comfort to you who new and loved Julie.



And God Said, "No"

I asked God to take away my grief,
And God said, "No…
It is not for me to take away,
But for you to work through."

I asked God to make my broken heart whole,
And God said "No…
Your spirit is whole,
Your pain is only temporary."

I asked God to grant me patience,
And God said, "No…
Patience is a by-product of tribulation,
It isn't granted, it's earned."

I asked God to give me happiness,
And God said, "No…
I give blessings.
Happiness is up to you."

I asked God to spare me pain,
And God said, "No…
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
And brings you closer to me."

I asked God to make my spirit grow,
And God said, "No…
Grow on your own.
I do the pruning that makes you fruitful."

I asked God if he loved me,
And God said, "Yes…
I gave my only Son to die for you."

I asked God to help me love others
As much as He loves me.
He said, "Ah, finally, you have the idea."

Derric Johnson

CSO R. Anthony
Santa Clara Police Dept. Calif.

My deepest sympathies go out to the Jacks' family. I never met Julie Jacks, but obviously she was one of a kind. A very special woman whom not only served as one of Chattanooga's finest officers, but a friend to many. Its police officers like these that make us sit back and think of what a great sacrifice is made to protect us as citizens, to serve, too often that sacrifice is taken for granted. That can wear one soul down easily, day after day on the streets. It's obvious that it didn't stop her, she remained the best officer she could be, and yet, a true friend for so many. My regret is never meeting her. She will NEVER be forgotten. The sacrifices she made will NEVER be forgotten. God Bless the Jacks' family, may Julie Jacks rest in peace.

Bob M. Wade
resident, Chattanooga, TN

Another sister has paid her price, May officer Jacks rest in peace. I am greatly saddened every day that an officer has to pay the supreme sacrafice with their life. To the family, You are in our prayers, God bless......

Patrolman Darrell Jones
Lexington Metro, Lexington, Ky

I knew of Julie from school days at Ooltewah, but I had the privilege of getting to know her through my husband - they were in the Police Academy together. It seemed like Julie was a little sister to him...and to many others. I recall on several occasions when my husband and I would go to lunch at our favorite little "whole in the wall", I got to enjoy lunch with her. And then there’s the stories I would hear and the gatherings I’d get to go to. I admired her...her strength, her courage, her determination, her laughter, her beauty. It has been one week today since the funeral. Right now, somebody is thinking of you, Julie. You are sorely missed but will never be forgotten. We don’t always understand why things happen the way they do, but we need to try to remember that our Lord will see us through. I pray that He will continue to strengthen us. May He grant comfort unto the Jacks family and Bobby, and to Julie’s brothers and sisters in blue that are hurting so. Thank you for your service...you paid the ultimate sacrifice. May you rest in peace.

police officer's wife
Chattanooga Police Dept

Heros come in both sexes, different sizes, different colors, and backgrounds. Yet, these fallen heros all have something in common. They all served in their respective agencies with pride, humility, and courage. It has been said that we in law enforcement are part of the thin blue line. However, we are much more than that. We are family, drawn across geographical boundries. When such a loss as Julies occurs, we all are effected. We each want to hug those closest to us a little tighter. To the family of Officer Julie Jacks, she is a hero. Not only to those with whom she served but to all of us who have taken the oath to protect and to serve.

Investigator Joe Willis
Anderson Co. (Tx) District Attorney's Office

my heart goes out to all that worked and cared for officer jacks. i believe this was a devastating loss to the department and to officer jack's family. it's a shame that an officer so young in her career had to perish. god bless you all and the family of officer jacks.

patrolman D.LGordon
pascagoula police department

When God Made Peace Officers

When the Lord was creating peace officers, He was into his sixth day of overtime. An angel appeared and said,"You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."
And the Lord said,"Have you ever read the specs on this order? A peace officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, and enter homes the health inspector wouldn't touch and not wrinkle his uniform. He has to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stake out, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses and testify in court the next day. He has to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half-eaten meals. And has to have six pairs of hands."
The angel shook her head slowly and said,"Six pairs of hands, no way."
"It's not the hands that are causing me all the problems," said the Lord,"it's the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have."
"Thats the standard model?" asked the angel.
The lord nodded. "One pair that sees through a bulge on a pocket before he asks,'May I see what's in there, sir?' (when he already knows and wishes he had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of his head for his partner's safety. And another pair of eyes here in the front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say,'you'll be alright ma'am,' when he knows it isn't so."
"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve,"rest and work on this tomorrow."
"I can't," responded the Lord,"I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck."
The angel circled the model of the peace officer very slowly. "Can it think," she inquired.
"You bet," declared the Lord with pride. "It can tell you the elements of a hundred crimes; recite Miranda warnings in its sleep; detain, investigate, search and arrest a gang member in the street in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate the legality of the stop, and still keeps a sense of humor. This officer also has phenomenal personality control. He can deal with crime scenes painted in hell, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim's family and then read in the daily paper how law enforcement isn't sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects."
Finally the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the peace officer,"There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model."
"Thats not a leak," said the Lord,"it's a tear."
"What's the tear for," asked the angel.
"It's for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice."
"You're a genius," proclaimed the angel.
The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there," He said.
Anonymus

God's Speed Officer Jacks.

Officer David K. Day
Lexington PD, Lexington,KY

As I watched your funeral from my job, I realized what kind of friend you would have been. I only knew you in passing, but I learned so much more about you and how you were a hero in life as much as death. I wish I would have had the honor of knowing you better. Your family will miss you very much and I hope than can draw on the comfort of knowing where you are and knowing that they will see you again some day. From the way your friends spoke of you , Bobby was a very lucky man and was be proud of every minute he had with you. I know you are having a ball in Heaven and I hope we can get to know each other alot better there than we did here. Bobby, hang in there, my prayers are with you. See you soon Julie!!

Anonymous

Julie,
As a woman I have always admired you. You seemed to have it so together. When John began working with you and I always heard your stories and other fox midnight soildier's stories, I then realized you were for real. We met a few times and spoke on the phone a few times. You are definately someone I wish I would have known one on one. I thank you for your dedication, professionalism, strength, and courage. I know my John came home many of nights because you were there to back him up. May God be a place of Refuge for your Mother, Father, Bobby, Ashley, Ginger, your niece , all your family and friends, and of course your Brothers and Sisters in Blue. Thank you for protecting me and my household from evil.

Niki Chambers
wife of Chattanooga Officer

Officer Julie Jacks,

I only worked with you briefly on two different occasions, yet in those few moments, your professionalism and sense of duty were obvious. Your memory will live on, even as our pain subsides. May your family be blessed with the "peace which passeth all understanding" and be comforted during this sad time; a time that all of us are searching for some understanding for the "why's" of your tragic passing. And to Bobby Moses: My prayers are given for your comfort, as well. Don't forget that your brothers and sisters in blue are here for you.

OFC Roger D. Gibbens
Chattanooga Police Department

Goodbye Sister in Blue, God be with you.

Ofc. Paul Maupin
Collegedale Police Dept.

To all of the officers who risk their lives every day to protect us, we thank you. God Bless you all! God bless you, Julie, for the wonderful, joy of a person you always were. Our prayers go out to The Jacks family, and to Bobby. May the Lord comfort you all.

Melissa and Katie

For Julie's family, I am so sorry for your loss. My sister, Officer Candace Ripp, was killed in December 2001, in Nashville, TN. I just returned from the National Police Memorial Week in Washington D.C. I wish I could take your pain away. I often wish when I cry for others maybe it will be a few less tears you will cry yourself. The C.O.P.S. organization has helped us so much. I sincerely hope they will come thru for you all as well. The FOP will help you too. Let them! It will be a few months from now that you will be able to read the material that will be sent to you, but it will help. If nothing else, you will find that everything you are feeling is NORMAL. You are NOT going crazy. I will pray for you now and months from now. Again, I am so sorry that this has happened to your family.

Laurel Trosclair

I am so sorry and sad to read about the passing of this officer. People like her are the reason why the rest of us can live in relative peace. God bless you officer, we will never forget your sacrifice.

Correctional Officer - 1
Correctional Service Canada (Edmonton)

Dear Julie;
After reading all of the reflections I've concluded that you were one terrific person and a good cop. After 21 years I pray that you will be the last name that will be added to the memorial, but I know that it will not. May God comfort your family and friends. Patrol the streets of heaven with St Michael, and we will see you on the other side.

Sgt Kevin McGowan
Charleston Police Department (SC)

To The Chattanooga Police Dept.
The Martin County Sheriff's Office Swat Team wish to express our sympathy and condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this diffcult time.
Sincerly, D/S Cedric Humphrey

D/S CED HUMPHREY
MARTIN COUNTY SHERIFF S OFFICE

you are a true hero, not just for how you died, but how you lived. rest in peace. god bless the family and friends of this fallen officer.

Andrew
Baltimore City, MD

Julie,

I had the pleasure of meeting you. You were also so happy and professional. I am very heartbroken over your death. I know that you are in heaven now. You brought joy and pride into everyone's life that you met. You gave your life so that Chattanooga can be safer. You make me proud to say that I am from Chattanooga. I will pray for your family, fiance and friends. RIP "Little Warrior"

God bless

God Speed!

Anonymous

On behalf of the Men and Women of the Huntsville Police Dept. My heart goes out to you and your family. When I heard the news, I heard "TAPS". My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Officer Mike Lewis
Huntsville AL PD

I did not know Julie Jacks , but from what i heard she was very well liked. I know that she had alot of Friends,and other fellow police officers that cared alot about her.. I know that she was engaged to be married to another officer Bobby, i feel for you sir! I recently got married and i honestly can say i dont know how you are making it!! I know that god will be with you every step of the way! Trust in the lord with all your heart, and dont stop praying to him because he will always be with you no matter where you are! I am praying for all the Family, and to Julie thanks for all your hard work, and DEDICATION, that day your life was taken, you will be sadly missed. May god bless you!!
Tiffany McCurdy (Poe)

tiffany mccurdy

IN THESE DAYS OF TERRORISM AND HATRED, IT IS COMFORTING TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE NOT BECOME IMMUNE TO THE HEART-WRENCHING PAIN THAT A SUDDEN AND TRAGIC DEATH CAN BRING. I DIDN'T KNOW OFFICER JACKS PERSONALLY, BUT READING ABOUT HER LIFE AND SEEING THE OUTPOUR OF LOVE FROM FRIENDS AND STRANGERS HAS REMINDED ME THAT LIFE IS SO PRECIOUS.
TELL THOSE YOU LOVE....THAT YOU LOVE THEM.
THOSE THAT YOU LOVE....HUG THEM.
MY PRAYERS AND HEARTFELT SYMPATHY, I SEND TO BOBBY MOSES, THE JACKS FAMILY, THE CHATTANOOGA POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND TO ALL WHO KNEW OFFICER JULIE JACKS. GOD BE WITH YOU.

TERRI FRAKER COLE

Officer Jacks is a true hero, paying the ultimate sacrifice. She was obviously a very brave person, willing to assist one of her fellow officers without hesitation. Its hard to understand why these things happen, but God can give strength to see us thru any tragedy, and in a way that He will reveal in His time, some good always comes out of tragic situations.

Randy Rogers
Son of Harold Lee Rogers
Terre Haute, In. Police Dept.
EOW 6-16-1984