Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My payers and thoughts are with you all, friends and family of Officer Lewis.

Amanda Maher, Daughter of Patrick Maher

May 5, 2004

My prayers are with Officer Lewis and his family. It sounds a bit cliche but certainly a piece of all of us die each time an Officer makes the supreme sacrifice.

Prayerfully,
Robert D. Foreman
Retired Sergeant/Miami-Dade Police Department

Retired Motorcycle Sergeant
Miami-Dade Police Department

May 5, 2004

You made the ultimate sacrifice. May the memory of your service, heroism and sacrifice remain forever. We are proud of you and thankful for all of your service. May God bless you, your family and brother/sister officers in Tacoma Police Department.
AC

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

May 5, 2004

May God be with you, your family, and Department in these tragic times.

Enjoy your new assignment patroling the heavens. Keep us all safe. Your life will be remembered.

Deputy
Ingham County Sheriff's Office, Michigan

May 4, 2004

It always saddens me to see an officer killed in the line of duty, especially a fellowmotor officer. I realize that any day it could be me. Rest in peace brother, from one "wheel" to another. Your family will be in my prayers.

Motor Officer Bob Pitts
Oak Ridge, Tn Police Dept.

May 3, 2004

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Jim did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Jim be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Lewis' family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Jim is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Jim was well respected and well loved.

Thank you for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiance Dennis for me.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Deputy Sheriff Dennis McElderry's fiancee - EOW (01/03/03)

May 2, 2004

GOD BLESS YOU SIR AND MAY GOD SEND HIS BLESSINGS TO YOUR FAMILY,FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS.

"THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH"

POLICE OFFICER
FLORIDA

May 1, 2004

Officer Lewis,

Rest in Peace Brother, God Bless You.. my prayers are with your family and the Tacoma PD.

Officer
NC

May 1, 2004

Our broken hearts and prayers go out to Officer Lewis's immediate family as well as to his Law Enforcement Family.
We lost one of our own on this same day. Sgt. Andy Brown, Florida Highway Patrol. We are still reeling from our loss and our comfort is found in pooling strength from eachother as well as listening to the stories that are told by those who remember and bless us all in their sharing of those memories.
May you all stand tall with the help of eachother in this time of your grief and remember that your uniform means that much more because Ofc Lewis wore it and sacrificed while representing it.
May God Bless all of you and keep you safe and may your fallen Officer rest in peace.

Duty Officer S.A. Nantz
Florida Highway Patrol

May 1, 2004

Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Lewis, his family and department. God Bless.

Patrol Officer
Lacey PD

May 1, 2004

TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND CO-WORKERS OF OFFICER LEWIS;

MAY GOD BLESS ALL INVOLVED. YOUR SERVICE AND DEDICATION WILL BE MISSED. REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

OFC. T. SIMS
TAMPA POLICE DEPARTMENT

May 1, 2004

James G. Lewis as he was known on the records of the city of Tacoma, Jim Lewis as most Dept. members knew him by.
He also had several nicknames. For the past 10 years he was known around our yearly elk camp as Yukon, he loved that name, it was a reminder of one of the things he loved the most, the great outdoors, and especially Alaska, where he told me many times he wished he could live one day.
But I had my own nickname for Jim, which only I used.
My name is Gary Loyd . I first met Jim in the hiring office of the city of Tacoma in the fall of 1984. From the moment we met we becaame close friends. We found we had many things in common, we both loved to go camping, hiking, big game hunting, scuba diving, spear fishing, shooting, and we both loved police work.
Jim and I were hired by the city of Tacoma on January 8th 1985. We went through the academy together. In the academy we did everything together and when it came to any type of competition we competed against each other. After our one year probation we teamed up together to make a two man car . We worked down town a lot when it was considered the worst area in town. We also worked the paddy wagon and it was then that Jim nicknamed me curb killer. During the first year of knowing him, I turned Jim on to hunting with a muzzleloader. He wasn't sure about it at first and said, "But you only have one shot". But after our first hunt he was sold on it and we hunted together every year for 19 years.
Jim was so full of life and energy. Any time I was doing one or two things he was doing 3 or 4. He never seemed to slow down or lose steam.
Several years ago, about 1996, I bought a scroll saw and got into a little wood working. I made a plague to hang on the tent at our elk camp every year. It's a little weathered now from the cold, rain, snow, and from being brought in and out of a warm tent. I've tried to keep it repaired. At the top I named it "CAMP YUKON" after Jim, because he was the heart and spirit of our camp. Under that I cut out the outline of an elk, and on each side I added the names of hunters who joined our group. Theres myself, then Jim, then his brother Donny Lewis, Tacoma Fireman Bill Phares and Paul Sowers. There were many others who came and went over the years, all we called friends, But I think we five made up Camp Yukon, and with Jim we made memories to last a life time.
Jim and I grew to be more like close brothers, and because of that I gave him the nick name of "Jim-Bob. Any of you out there remember the TV show the "Waltons", and how they said good nite to each other. On many hunting nights in the tent just before we fell asleep, I would say, Good nite Jim-Bob, and he would say "Good nite partner!".
As future hunting camps come I will continue to hang that sign and miss my best friend.
And so I would like to say one last time, Farewell Partner, until we meet again-------Good nite brother,
Good-nite Jim-Bob.

Officer Gary Loyd
Tacoma Police Dept.

May 1, 2004

I came home to the tragic news on Tuesday night after visiting a friend who is an officer with the Des Moines Police Department. He suffered the loss of a fellow officer and friend three years ago. The news of Officer Lewis' death hit close to home as I know the mother of a Tacoma PD detective and have other friends who are officers with the Seattle PD and Federal Way PD. It could have just as easily been one of them....

To the family of Officer Lewis and the Tacoma Police Department:

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Thank you for protecting us.

May 1, 2004

Officer Lewis, I never knew you, but after reading reflections left by your collegues, you left an indellible impression, not only with your Department, but surrounding agencies. It is tragic that you were taken from us so suddenly. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family, friends, aquaintances, and the Tacoma Police Department during this heartfelt time.
You are a hero, and shall not be forgotten. Rest in peace, brother.

Deputy Stephan Schneider
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

May 1, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Detective
Lacey PD

April 30, 2004

On behalf of the Pittsfield Police Dept., we extend our condolences to the family and friens of Officer Lewis. God Bless.

Officer Rodney Minoty
Pittsfield Police Dept. ME

April 30, 2004

May you rest in peace knowing officers everywhere will carry on the torch. May God bless you and comfort you and may he issue you a beautiful harley to patrol the streets of heaven,

To the famiy of Officer Lewis and his fellow officers my family knows how much you grieve and the depth of your loss. I will pray for all of you for courage and strength. May God also bless you.

Sincerely,

Mary Huggins, cousin Pat Maher, Federal Way, EOW:8-2-3

Cpl. Mary Huggins
Orange County, Fl

April 30, 2004

On behalf of the men and women who serve and work for the Georgia Perimeter College Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with Officer James (Jim) Lewis’ family, friends, and co-workers with the Tacoma Police Department.

God bless our brother in blue may you rest in peace. Now you can walk Heaven’s beat.

Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

April 30, 2004

Officer Lewis. May the Lord hold you gently in the hollow of His hand and watch over you in love each day. May He hear the prayers of those who care about you and who are keeping you ever close in thoughts.
May your family, friends and co-workers be bless.

Teresa Goss
Shadco. Jacksonville,Fl

April 30, 2004

IT SOUNDS LIKE THUNDER FAR AWAY............

It sounds like thunder far away, but the skies are blue and bright...
And soon they crest the hill nearby, and ride into our sight.
They shake the ground with powerful sound, and they make some hearts beat fast...
They look so proud and noble, like Knights come from the past.

Side by side, they always ride, and seem to move as one...
From early in the morning light, to the setting of the sun.
And children point and wave to them, from cars that pass them by...
And young ones ask their parents, why the men have mirrors for eyes.

They ride the roads, and fight for good, and defend small ones like you...
They ask to ride, and do with pride, and sometimes they are few.
Like men of steel, on Silver Wings, they sparkle in the light...
then with a roar and rumble, they ride out of our sight.

Sometimes when one has fallen, never to ride again...
You can hear the others calling, like thunder on the wind.
Side by side, they slowly ride, and their thunder is a mournful sound...
And the mirrors hide their eyes from us, when teardrops fall to ground.

So if you see one riding, and you look into his face...
You see your reflection in his eyes, you know that you are safe.
For motormen are a special breed, they love to ride the wind...
And when you hear the thunder boom, the fallen ones ride again.

By

Author Unknown

Our thoughts and prayers are extended to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Jim Lewis. The loss of a fellow motor officer is felt far and wide.

Sgt. Andy Norrie
Toronto Police Service, Canada

April 30, 2004

God bless the blue angels.
Those willing to go, everyday into the valley of the shadow.
and those who now find peaceful shelter on the other side.
You are forever in our hearts and prayers.

ACooper
Emt

April 30, 2004

To the family of officer Lewis our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to you. Our family knows the pain you suffer and there aren't enough words to express our sorrow's to your family. I have a very good personal friend who knew Officer Lewis, trained Officer Lewis of motors, and spoke very highly of Jim.
Again my family is very sorry for your loss. Please know you're not alone.

Rich Knudsen
Cousin of Pat Maher, Federal Way PD, E.O.W. 8-2-03

Rich Knudsen
civilan

April 30, 2004

The members of the Royal Palm Beach Police Department wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the family, coworkers, and friends of Officer James Lewis. He has fought the good fight and has now gone to his reward. Many of our brothers and sisters are gone, but none are ever forgotten.

Sergeant T. E. Murphy
Royal Palm Beach, Fl. P. D.

April 30, 2004

On behalf of the members of Blue Knights MO VII, we send our sympathy to the family and friends of Officer Lewis. You will never be forgotten by your police family and you will ride on forever in our hearts.

Doug Eatherton
Blue Knights MO VII
Chapter President

P O Doug Eatherton
St. Louis City Police

April 30, 2004

Officer Lewis-
After visiting the memorial site and talking with a couple of Tacoma Police officers, I have gained even more respect for you. Even though I did not know you, I was still extremely saddened when i layed flowers at the site today because I came to the realization that Tacoma lost one of its finest. Your courage and dedication are unsurpassed. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family, friends and fellow Tacoma Police Officers. Thank you for your sacrifice, dedication, and courage. You are gone, but you will never be forgotten.
Matthew 5:9

Drew

April 30, 2004