Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Joel Michael Davis

East Palo Alto Police Department, California

End of Watch Wednesday, June 22, 1988

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Officer Joel Michael Davis

Rest in peace and Olav Hashalom Officer Davis.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 19, 2012

Joel-

Today I attended our local police officer memorial service. During all the speechs, and rememberances for those we have lost in the past year. My thougths kept returning to that night 23 yrs ago when two Union City PD officers came to my door and said "Sarge, you need to call the PD one of your officers has been shot". I can recall almost every minute of what that drive to work was like and what I saw as I got into EPA. I remember how much it hurt to learn you were the officer who was shot. It still hurts to this very moment to think about it. I remember your mom and dad and speaking with them at the hospital and knowing how much you meant to them. It was an honor to know you for that very short time. You are a hero who will never be forgotton

Sergeant David Bouffard
Paso Robles PD (Former Sgt. EPAPD)

May 16, 2012

So long ago we worked together ... brothers in blue! We changed colors of our uniforms but not our dedication to service. You have not been forgotten ~~ remembered by many. As Vallejo PD Officer Jim Capoot was laid to rest today ... I couldn't help but recall the similarity in your tragedies. I know he joins you patrolling the highways of heaven and his sense of humor matches yours :-) May GOD continue to Bless you and your many, my friend!

M. Mueller, Captain
California Highway Patrol

November 30, 2011

Well, today is the day you would have turned 50...It has been so long but still, at times, feels like yesterday you were here with us.

I miss you. I miss hearing you laugh. I miss seeing you smile.

Happy Birthday. I love you.

Akiko Koda
Fiancee

October 3, 2011

Still missing you every day. Life has just never been the same. There was and is no one like you, the love of this Mother's heart.

Mom
Aug. 23, 2011

Beth A Davis
Mother

August 24, 2011

It has been 23 years. Hard to imagine where all the time has gone. Last month Alonzo Reese passed, please take good care of him.

I still love and miss you.

Akiko Koda
fiance

June 22, 2011

The other day I came across some old tools I still have from my HP days and guess who's name was on them to send out for Cal. , yours bud , I remember working with you and how your one goal in life was to become a Police Officer , we all ( The tool room guys ) felt pride for you when you made it to full time and pain when we got the news on your death, I can still see your face and hear you voice ....

Rest easy


Lloyd Haugen
4/25/2011

Lloyd Haugen
Coworker / HP

April 25, 2011

Most of the guys won't put anything here. Not out of disrespect. It's still black in their hearts. I wanted your family to know that. We all became cops. A lot came from PALY. I remember your pop dropping us off at Los Altos PD for explorers. You're still Mike-e to me. EOW - day before my birthday - every year. I was @ MJ Max after. I thought about it. I did one decade as an explorer adviser and I figure that was payback. Every yellow newspaper clipping is saved for my kids to see. I just wanted to remind your family that love never dies.

Deputy O. Yoch
San Mateo County S/O

January 28, 2011

They say that time heals all wounds but I know that for your family, friends, and law enforcement family that they all still feel your loss as if it were yesterday. What a great person you must have been...dedicated to your profession and you knew what you wanted to do at an early age. Thank you for your willingness to help others and the selflessness you displayed. My heart goes out to your family. You are FOREVER in our hearts.

Anonymous

July 15, 2010

Happy New Year!

Officer Tai NGuyen
San Leandro PD

January 8, 2010

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

Officer 11169

October 22, 2009

Joel,

Thank you for coming when I called for code 3 cover that night. You had already gotten of duty. You could have just gone home, instead when you heard that I was being shot at you came and gave your life to save mine. How can I ever repay you for that. You will always be mine and my daughters Hero. I promise you I will always live my life in a way that repects your amazing selfless gift to me

18R55

Anonymous

August 16, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 21rst 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 who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

In reading the loving reflections, I see that you are missed and loved by many and that you had a profound impact on the lives of others. I hold your family and friends in my heart's embrace today. I hope to meet your Mom at a NorCal Cops meeting.

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

June 22, 2009

Joel,
I am thinking of you right now and remember our times together in EPA. Merry Christmas and God bless you and your family.

San Leandro Police Detective Tai Nguyen
Former EPAPD Officer

December 24, 2008

Dear Michael,
Life has gone on. I have met a very special man, Don, and feel extremely lucky
that God has sent him to me. Once again I feel I have a life to look forward to.
I miss you everyday of my life, think of you often and talk about you any time
I can get someone to listen. You will always be the love of my life. Wish I
could share this election time with you, we would have some good discussions.
I love you dearly.

If any of my COPS friends read this you can email me at [email protected].

Love,

Mom

Anonymous

September 6, 2008

Joel,
It has now been 20 years since you were killed in East Palo Alto. My daughter turned 20 years old on June 21. It has been 2 years and 6 months since my husband Rich was killed in the same city. I hope you two have met up there and have gotten to know each other. You both are heros and always will be. Take care of him up there.

Diana May
Surviving wife of
Officer Rich May EOW 1/07/06
East Palo Alto

June 24, 2008

Joel, You are NEVER FORGOTTEN.

Benny Pugh, Jr.
Former East Palo Alto Police Officer

June 22, 2008

Having just read all of your reflections I can still feel the pain and loss of your dear mother, fiance and friends. May God continue to bless them all and provide the needed comfort as you still struggle after almost 20 years. Officer Davis-thank you for the life you led and the service you gave.

Captain
Charlotte North Carolina

February 15, 2008

Six more months and it will be 20 years I've lived without you. I didn't think I
could make even one. Now your father has been with you for almost a year.
I miss both of you so much and envy you being together again. i am so
lonesome. I love you both so very much.

Love, Mom

Beth Ann Davis
Mother

January 22, 2008

I still remember the parties at our condo in Foster City and the entertainment you provided. :-)

I think about you frequently and the night I got the call. So sorry to hear about your father and I will keep your mother in my prayers.

David Bailey (Ret.)
Menlo Park PD

December 22, 2007

"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

August 28, 2007

Michael, Your Dad joined you March 14, 2007. I hope the two of you are in
each other's arms again. He never did get over losing you, not that I have
either, but I did manage to go on with life. Now I have neither of you but
I'll handle it, also. I love you both so very much.

Love, Mom

Beth Ann Davis
Mother

May 3, 2007

Joel,
It has been 19 years since year since I received that call about your death while working mids in San Leandro. I still remember you riding as a Reserve and as full time Officer. You will always be on my mind.

Det. T. Nguyen
SLPD & Former EPAPD Officer

May 1, 2007

I never got to meet the wonderful and magnificent person that you were. I wish I did and some day I will! We both know now that your father is with you as with mine. As i sit here and mourn, I am jealous that you are with both. I learned at the ripe age of 10 years old that death is a part of life. I didn't like that at all! I was named after your father, my uncle Joel. I want to tell you something, your father was the greatest man I have ever known and I loved him like he was my own father. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about the both of them.

Aaron Joel Davis
Cousin

April 20, 2007

I think of you and miss you daily. I was just watching a CSI show where the
widow did a Google of her police officer husband, killed in the line of duty,
and I just thought I would see what I could find.

Dad is very ill, and he too misses you daily.

Oh, if I could just hold you in my arms one more time. The pain never leaves.
Love, Mom

Beth Ann Davis
Mother

January 22, 2007

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