Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

James, it has taken me this long to get the strength to write this. I'm sorry it took so long. You were a good friend and I miss your smile and laughter. I remember the selfless giving of your time (& talent) to come to my house and help with minor repairs and such, as I didn't have a clue about those things. I also remember your selfless help with my "T-shirt project" after the 9/11 attacks. You are a kind, giving person. I enjoyed working shifts with you, as I knew that I didn't have to worry about what you were doing at each call we responded to. A true trusted friend and fellow officer. You are one of many such people that I hold in my thoughts and prayers at Temple PD, except I don't have the opportunity any longer to call, write, or even e-mail you. So I'm taking this opportunity now, and I pray that you are able to know from up there that we all think of you often, and smile. We'll meet again later. Until then, take care and watch over us when you get a minute. (in between helping out up there) God bless you, my friend.

To James' family, I wish I had the right words, but I doubt I can find the best ones. Just know that there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of James and all my friends in Temple. I truly mourn his loss, but I know that he was doing exactly what he wanted with his life on this earth. (And yes, getting paid to ride a motorcycle all day!!!) Keep the faith, you'll see him again in heaven. Take care of each other, and we'll keep you in our prayers.

Officer P. Bench
Cameron University Office of Public Safety (Oklahoma)

January 11, 2005

Still think of you...sending my love and prayers to your family.

Cara S. Crime Analyst
Salem Oregon

December 30, 2004

Baby, Just wanted to tell you how much you are missed and Loved. Even in your death, you are with us. Eveywhere we look, we see you and hear you. We lost Toby yesterday morning, he has been sick for awhile and the Vet was doing all he could. I guess you needed him with you more than we did. Merry Christmas My Love,

December 25, 2004

Our Dear Friend James,
It has been a long year since everyone here has seen that twinkle in your eye and that smile of yours, but they live on in our memories of you!! We miss you!!

PS: Anleigh really misses you!! She talks about you all the time!!

Matthew Jarma
Ward's Towing, LTD

November 29, 2004

One year seems like it can be an eternity, but today it seems like a year ago was just yesterday. I wish that I could say that every day it gets easier but it doesn't. With every day that passes it seems like it only gets harder. Everyday I wake up and think that I'm going to run into you somewhere, but I never do. Every night I go to sleep and think that tomorrow will be the day that I get to see you...but it never is. So every day I just wait for tomorrow but tomorrow never comes. It's a never ending cycle. Like those who loved you the most I too know that you are still here with me. I feel you, I hear you, I see you. I don't understand why you were taken and I guess its not my place to question it. The world is bigger than me. There are a lot of things that I don't know or understand. I do know that I love you and I will always be proud to have had you as my dad. You were my Superman...in my heart and in my mind you are and always will be invincible. You are as strong in mind and body and spirit as you were the last day I saw you and thats something that no one can ever take away from me.
WHERE DOES A WAVE GO ON A LAKE WHEN THE WIND CEASES TO BLOW? WHERE DOES A CLOUD GO WHEN IT HAS MOVED ACROSS THE SKY? THATS WHERE LIFE GOES WHEN THERE IS NO MORE BREATH. YOU ARE LIKE A RIPPLE ON THE WATER. YOU COME. YOU GO. YOU ARE FOREVER.
I Love You,
Your Daughter,
Amanda Pyle

AMANDA PYLE

November 22, 2004

My dear friend,
I’ve never written on here because it just hurt too much and meant I had to accept that you were taken away. As I slowly accept the fact you’ve been gone from us a whole year, I think back to all the fun times and great talks we had during our friendship. These things now bring me happiness more than hurt and I hold them the dearest to my heart. You’ve been my friend many years, and when I lost you last year I thought my world was going to end. Through this year, I’ve heard you talk to me and keep me going. I know you need me, and many others, to be all right and to go on. Though I miss you and think of you daily, I think I will be ok. Because even though you are gone, you’re still right here being my friend. For this I am thankful.
I love you, James; you’re my forever friend.
Shannyn

shannyn stanley

November 21, 2004

On the eve of the anniversary of your death I wonder why you. Looking back over the years I can't find any reason that you should have been taken from us. We need you here. You were the rock that held us together. Each night as I try to sleep and I hear you wonder into my room and walk to my bed, I wonder what it is that you want to tell me. I miss you more every day. I can't get past you. I wish that you could just talk to me and tell me that everything is going to be O.K. as you always did. You always told me to worry for 15 min and if it didn't change then to forget about it, and you lived by that. But you never taught me how to do that. I just wanted you to know that you are loved and missed more than you will ever know. You will always be the one person that saved me and now you are not here for me. You were sent to save me and then you were taken from me. WHY? I only wish I knew.
All My Love

November 20, 2004

Baby, As the one year mark of your death nears, It is not any better for me. I think of you always. I wish that I could just talk to you one more time. If I just had one more day, one more touch, one more kiss, one more bear hug, or just one more smile. There are days that I think if I can't hear your voice I will die. I miss you so much. I never knew I could hurt so much. My Love grows stronger for you every day, even in death my love has not faded.
All My Love

November 10, 2004

Baby, I miss you so much. I have been told that as time goes by, the hurt fades, but I hurt more each day. There is so much I have to tell you. The kids are getting so big. Amanda has turned out to be quiet the young woman, and Tawnee, oh my God what a knock she is. And Chase, he is just like you. He walks like you and now that his voice is changing, he sounds just like you. When I hear his voice, my heart stops. I always said that he looked and acted just like you, but maybe he would grow out of it, just joking. But I pray everyday that he will not. As always, I miss you so much, and Love You more everyday.
All My Love

October 7, 2004

I knew your daughter from High School and just remember you as her dad. I am a police officer now and I wanted to send my condolences to your family. I am here to stand in the shadow of all of my fallen brothers before me, you are one that I will never forget and always keep in my thoughts.

Mark Olivares

Police Officer Mark Olivares
Lexington Police KY

September 11, 2004

Baby, Just wanted to say I love you and miss you more everyday. I am getting by. There is days that I think if I can't talk to you, my heart will burst. I have relocated back to East Texas. I have made contact with some of our old friends, and they are all glad I am back, only wish you were with me. Some call me several times a day to check on me. I am back at our old place. I have lots of memories of us there. Wish you were here to share.
All My Love

September 5, 2004

Just wanted to tell you how much I love you today. I miss you so much. I know that you are taking care of everyone up there, just as you did here on earth. Keep the streets safe for all the little Angels that do not have parents with them. I know now why God called you home, to help him watch over all the little Angels. Melissa Baxter was taken one month before you and I know how much you Loved her. She was such a special child. I know that she was waiting at the gates to meet you, along with Pops, and My Dad. See I told you that would Love him, had you ever got to meet him. But God chose to take him 4 years before we met. Now you know what everyone has told you all these years, I am just like him. He can fill you in on everything up there. Him and Pops can show you all of the good honey holes,and tell you what kind of bait to use to catch that big one. Teach Melissa how to fish, we always told her that she would love it if she would just try. Now ya'll have the best place ever to catch em. All My Love

August 19, 2004

My Dearest Love, I just found this site. You know that we had something between the two of us that no-one could ever have. There was Love between us that no other human on this earth could ever share. We had such a hold on each other, that we could not see past us. When we were together it's as if the whole world stopped and we were the only two on it. We lived for the moment. We shared 14 wonderful years together. And you always knew that you would go before me. The last time I saw you you, only 10 days before your death, gave me a picture frame, it was a Rooster, Hen, And three baby chicks. You told me that the rooster was you watching over me and the three children we shared. You also told me that no matter when, where, or how you died, that you would take you last breath loving me. It's as if you knew that you about to take a long journey from me. If I had only known I would have never let you go. You always said that you would be there for me no matter what. But you are not here for me now. I hear you come to my bed each night, but when I open my eyes you are not there. I wish you could tell what you need, so you could rest, I would cut my heart out of my chest and give you LIFE again if I could. I hope that you know how much you were Loved by me. My life has pretty much ended since your death. I breathe and that is just about it. I sit in the room till dark and then I go to bed to wait for your footsteps. I just wish I could feel your arms around me or hear your voice one more time. But most of all I wish you PEACE. You would be so proud of how many people were there to see off on your journey. You were so LOVED. You always prided yourself in your Name. And what a name you made for yourself. Be proud My Love. I have kept in touch with some of your fellow Officers and we all miss you so. You would be so proud of Amanda. She is so much like you. I know that she did have your blood or name, but God did you ever teach her well. She is so proud to say that you were her Father. She does things and I have to tell her to stop being an O'Brien, and she always tells me she is proud of the fact that she is like you. She is proud of the fact that you put her name on your chest along with your other two children. Everytime I see a bike, I think of all the miles that we have been together, and I can see your silly smile or I think of all the times that it was to hot to even breathe and we would stop and hit the beach or how you always knew when it was time to take a break, and each time we took a trip, you had to clean our bike. And you would drive for hours. I always told you that when you got tired that I would drive, you would laugh out and say I won't ride with you on four wheels, what makes you think I would ride with you on two. I know that you went on your journey, doing what you Loved 2nd most in your life. And I am proud that you got to do what you loved and get paid for it. I just wish you were here now, I miss you so much. I sometimes think that my chest is going to explode. I know that you know how much I Loved You, I just want you to know that as much as I Loved you in Life, I Miss You and Love You as much in Death. I will always Love you. I will never Love again. I wait for you to come and take me with you. You are the LOVE OF MY LIFE.

Your True Love

August 8, 2004

YOU ALWAYS TOLD ME THAT I DIDNT HAVE TO HAVE YOUR BLOOD RUNNING THROUGH ME FOR ME TO BE YOUR DAUGHTER. I WISH I COULD HEAR YOU SAYING THAT NOW. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS I WOULD CHANGE IF I COULD. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY DADDY AND NO ONE CAN EVER CHANGE THAT. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS PAGE AND I HOPE THAT THE WORLD CAN SEE THROUGH THESE REFLECTIONS WHAT I SAW THROUGH MY OWN EYES.....WHAT A LOVING, CARING, GIVING PERSON YOU WERE. YOU DIDNT HAVE TO TAKE ME INTO YOUR LIFE AND RAISE ME AS YOUR OWN BUT YOU DID, WITHOUT A SECOND THOUGHT. AND NOW THAT YOURE GONE ITS STRANGE THE THINGS I REMEMBER. YOU USED TO GO RUNNING LATE AT NIGHT AND I WOULD WANT TO GO AND I WOULD ALWAYS GET TIRED ON THE WAY BACK HOME AND YOU WOULD CARRY ME THE WHOLE WAY HOME ON YOUR BACK LIKE IT WAS NOTHING. HOW YOU WOULD ALWAYS GET ME TO LIE TO MOM ABOUT SOMETHING WHILE YOU WERE OFF PLANNING A BIG SUPRISE FOR HER...YOU ALWAYS GOT ME OFF THE HOOK THOUGH. THANKS. YOU LOVED HER SO MUCH. I CANT COUNT THE NUMBER OF TIMES YOU TOLD ME YOU WOULD DIE LOVING HER. AND WHEN I JOINED THE ARMY YOU AND MOM DROVE 15 HOURS ONE WAY TO COME AND BRING ME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. THEN WHEN I MADE SOME MAJOR LIFE CHANGES YOU TOLD ME THAT YOU WOULD LOVE ME NO MATTER WHAT I CHOSE TO DO BECAUSE I WAS YOURS. AND I ALWAYS LOVED THE FACT THAT YOU INTRODUCED ME AS YOUR OLDEST DAUGHTER. IN REFLECTION, I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW WHO YOU WERE. YOU WERE THE TOUGH GUY IN UNIFORM WITH THE BADGE BUT YOU HAD A BIG HEART WHEN IT CAME TO YOUR KIDS AND YOUR FAMILY. YOU HAVE TAUGHT ME SO MANY THINGS IN LIFE THAT I WILL NEVER FORGET...HOW TO BE STRONG WHEN I NEED TO BE, HOW TO BE COMPASSIONATE, HOW TO LOVE WITH ALL MY HEART, AND TO NEVER GIVE UP ON SOMETHING I REALLY WANT. I HAVE A PICTURE OF US AND I LOOK AT IT EVERY DAY. I WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO HAVE ONE OF THOSE HAPPY DAYS. I HOPE YOU KNOW HOW MUCH YOU MEANT TO US. MAYBE I WILL WRITE MORE LATER, BUT FOR NOW I JUST WANTED TO TELL EVERYONE WHO HAPPENS ACROSS THIS PAGE THAT YOUR THE DAD YOU DIDNT HAVE TO BE. I LOVE YOU.
AMANDA

AMANDA PYLE

June 22, 2004

As a former member of the Temple Police Department, it is with a very heavy heart that I read of James' death. Each and every officer in each and every department throughout this great nation is joined by the badge, the oath and the faith. Rest easy, dear brother, we'll watch over yours here.... you watch over us..... til we meet again.....

Former Temple PD Officer

March 8, 2004

most people would tell you that law enforcement is a dangerous job. i never listened. I was always afriad when there was a domestic call or when i heard dispatch say use caution with someone. My husband was a little man but his size never mattered to him. He wanted to be a policeman, he wanted to make the small town we lived in a safe place for everyone. i never thought that directing traffic would be the worst thing that he could do. I just want to say to all the officers that read this "To be careful out there and watch out for other drivers and be careful so you can go home to your family" GOD BLESS

Wife of Officer Toby Dirickson
EOW 11-2-03

January 2, 2004

James, you were just like a second dad to me! I miss miss you soooo very much! I know that you will be watching over us all in heaven! Your smile and your love will be so greatly missed
See you in heaven! I love you!

Amber Pechal

December 28, 2003

O'Brien, you are and will forever be a great friend and Officer, I will miss you but forever remember you as my Comrad...UNA STAMUS!

Officer Jason Payne
Temple PD

December 27, 2003

The tears and laughter that we have shared are too numerous to count. You were always there anytime I called day or night. We have laughed and Lord knows we have fought, but the most amazing thing is we always made the other person better. I miss you. Had a crisis right after your death, only one perso left to call, There is a big hole now that you are gone. you never knew just how much nor how many people really admired you. I have seen such sorrow in so many people since your passing. They are struggling but they will be fine because I know you will watch over us all. We'll speak often. You are forever with us

Sherry
Corrigan Police Departmnet

December 19, 2003

Your Smile, Honesty and Integrity will be missed. Thank you for your the day we met.

Todd Townsend
Texas Municipal League - Risk Pool

December 15, 2003

officer o'brien was very dear to my brother and his family. he was always kind to my nieces and nephew and for that he will always have a special place in my heart. i was fortunate enough to meet him a couple of times. one time an incident occured with my niece and nephew in which officer o'brien arrived and when he noticed it was them, gave them both a teddy bear because they were so shook up. that really touched me and i know it touched the kids. we have lost a good officer and a great man. he will always be in our prayers and thoughts and to let him know anleigh really misses her "bestfriend" as she called james.

kevin jarma

December 14, 2003

My Dear Friend James,
Words can never express the void the City of Temple and myself and my family have felt since your loss. You are truly the greatest man I have ever known. I am honored to have known you for the time I did. I hope you are well in your final resting place, protecting the streets of heaven. You'll always be remembered, never forgotten!!!

Matt Jarma
Ward's Towing, LTD

December 14, 2003

Rest in peace my brother—You will not be forgotten. You have done your duty.

You, your family, and all those that have been affected by your passing are in my family’s prayers.

See you some day my brother.

CPL Jodie L. Warren
Prince George County Police Department, Virginia

December 13, 2003

My prayers are with the family of officer James O'Brien
God will give you strength. My husband california highway patrol officer Dean Beattie was also killed in a motocycle accident on Nov. 19 2003, It's been hard, but if you have faith
in the Lord, He will give take care of you. Officer O'Brien
rest in peace.

Rosa Beattie
San Diego CA

December 12, 2003

James you will aways be a great inspiration to all of the family at the Temple police dept. As we all try to overcome the saddness of your loss, you will always be remembered in our thoughts and prayers.

Ofc David Hess
Temple Police dept

December 11, 2003