Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Police Officer Joseph R. Garcia

New York City Police Department, New York

End of Watch Monday, January 20, 1975

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Police Officer Joseph R. Garcia

RIP Brother. True American Heros are never forgotten.

D.J. Esposito
Former P.O. Henrico Co. Va.
Son of NYCTA P.O.

February 13, 2024

RIP Joe, you are not forgotten.

Retired Police Officer
NYCPD

January 20, 2021

My father-in-law, Ret. SGT. Bill Jasko, ESU-5, was close friends with Joe. I was just looking at my in-laws wedding picture on the wall of their house. Joe was the best man. I have known Bill Jasko for over 30 years and every time he mentions Joe, he welds up with tears and I can see his that he was loved and is truly missed.

LT. Kevin Cantwell (Ret).

LT. Kevin Cantwell (Ret.)
NYPD

March 15, 2020

Rest in peace brother.

Lieutenant Raymond Flores
NYPD (retired)

January 20, 2020

Officer Joe Garcia was a friend of my late father, LT. Jack Cody NYPD. My dad was a Sergeant in the 6 Pct for several years where Joe served . I remember meeting him along with other members of the command . Even though I was a teenager at the time, those many years ago, I still remember the tall officer with the big smile. God rest his soul.

Special Agent John J. Cody (ret)
NCIS

January 13, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Garcia.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 4, 2020

Joe , you will always be in my thoughts and prayers. When I look up at the heavens at night and see the bright stars, I know that one of them is the light of God's love, shinning off of your shield. It was an honor the work with you in the 6th.

DENNIS CONNER
NYPD 6th pct retired.

March 23, 2019

Officer Garcia,
On today, the 44th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of New York City. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 20, 2019

Rest in peace Officer Garcia.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 19, 2019

May his soul rest in Heaven where his soul belong. Thank you for your service Officer Joseph R. Garcia

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police

July 26, 2016

Thank you

Joseph Iannacone

February 29, 2016

my name is Gerald Kennedy joe was my uncle. there is not a day goes by that I do not think of him and miss him. He was a great uncle and was always their for his sisters kids. God bless all the police officer in the world. there is no harder job in the world. Never forget

gerald kennedy
nephew

January 19, 2015

I worked with and changed next to Joe Garcia while we were both assigned to the 6th Pct. Joe had a great sense of humor and was one of the nicest people I have ever known. Joe, you are truly missed by all who knew you. We still mention you at all the reunions and smile when we remember you. RIP my friend. I know you are in Gods' hands.

P.O. William J. Lane (Ret'd)
NYPD 17 Pct, Mcy4/Hwy2, 6 Pct.

May 26, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 35th anniversary year 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 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.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

January 20, 2012

R.I.P Joe. You wrer a true hero.

Captain Cedric raymond
NYCPD

January 20, 2010

Rest in peace Joe you are gone but not forgotten...

Seregeant Chris DiToro
NYPD

January 20, 2009

I said a little prayer today for Police Officer Garcia and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes

January 15, 2009

The pain of our loss is always present and when he died that day a part of me died with him. Even after all these years there is an ache that never goes away. When we lost Uncle Joey we lost one of the most gentle and loving people God ever put on this earth. I will never forget him; I miss him and think of him every day. I love you Uncle Joey.

Maryanne Garcia
Niece

May 9, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 12, 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 20, 2007

I was working in the Sixth Precinct the day Officer Garcia lost his life. I was newly assigned and never got to meet Joe. I vividly remember the grief, love and outrage expressed by Joe's friends: one officer and friend of Joe weeping silently in the stairwell, another crying and being held up by others, the long parade to the hospital to give blood, the civilian employee almost feinting when she returned. For whatever time we had remaining as police officers, we all resumed patrol. Often, we used to end our memo book entries with "Nothing to Report." With the passing of the years,it seems like there still is an awful lot left that we feel! Rest in Peace.

anon
Former member of the 6th Precinct

November 20, 2007

After the police academy, and a few months before this tragedy I was assigned to the 6th Pct and got to know Joe. I was on duty that tragic day, and all were in shock and disbelief.

Not long after, approx. 2,500 cops were laid off due to NYC's financial crisis. About 30 months later I was re-hired and re-assigned to the 6th Pct. I can say Joe's memory lived on. Many of us participated in the annual benefit basketball game named after out fallen brother.

Losing a brother officer is hard enough, but more so, when working side by side in the same precinct.

Joe was like by all, and may he rest in peace.

PO John Howell
Ret. N.Y.C.P.D.

January 9, 2007

31 yrs ago you gave your life to protect others. Thank you for your service, sacrifice. God continue to bless the Garcia family. Never to be forgotten!

Ret. PO
City of Miami

July 5, 2006

You were always "larger than life" to those of us who worked with you 30 years ago. It was our honor to have been able to do so. You are one of the great cops of New York. Thanks you looking after the rest of us all these years.

Bill Anderson
NYPD
NYPD

William J. Anderson
NYPD - Retired

May 26, 2005

Thirty years ago you gave your life protecting the citizens of New York city. In spite of the years passing, your memory lives on.


Virginia State Police

February 1, 2005

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.