Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Detective Nicholas M. Guirado

Union City Police Department, New Jersey

End of Watch Monday, November 4, 1974

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Reflections for Detective Nicholas M. Guirado

I somehow came across this website. Sadly as soon as I pulled the info for Union City I recall that day vividly engraved on my mind. I lived appxmtly 150 ft from the Rapid-O taxi station. I remember I was in my bedroom doing my homework when I heard the pops of the shots I ignored it thinking it was the kids from up the street popping firecrackers. My mom came in my room and said something must have happened because there were a lot of police cars with lights on at the taxi stand. I ran to the corner to see what had happened. Sadly one of Union City's finest gave his life for us. Ironically Rapid-O taxi was owned by a fellow police officer Nelson (don't recall his last name).

Officer Guirado you have been in a much nicer place since your EOW. God Bless....

Dan Perez
Former citizen UCNJ

October 6, 2011

Nicky, I was a 22 year old Special Officer on Nov 4, 1974 and remember being called in early to report for duty. Nothing else was said on the phone. I remember walking into HQ and seeing every man on the department standing around & waiting. Sandy Saunders gave me the terrible news about you. I will never forget that moment.

I always remember the conversations with you when you came into my parent's restaurant to eat. You were always made my mother & father smile and full of advice to me.

I left the Special Officer job in '78 and returned to UCPD on May 8, 1981 as a regular Police Officer. I did my duty for 30 years and retired on June 30,2011. During that time, I would often think of you and how some of the advice you gave me, when I was just a kid, held true.

I passed on what I learned from you, Sandy Saunders, Mark Fusco, Vic Sismondo, Lenny Kaufman, Mike Bergbauer and Charlie Kohrherr, especially after I was promoted to Sergeant. You all left an impression on me and I pray to God that I left that same impression on the men I supervised.

God Bless You, Nicky. The good ones are never forgotten.

Chick

Sgt Andrew "Chick" Pisani (ret)
Union City, NJ PD

August 30, 2011

Miguel I mentioned you today talking with friends in Jersey whom one has a brother in law in the UCPD.
You would be proud of your kids the girls all doing fine and Mike who went to Special Forces and became a physician and Maria who has had alziemhers for years and in May had a falsh back talking with me and asked me about you.
God rest your soul in peace.

Frank J. Carrillo
Kin in law

August 28, 2011

Happy Father's Day :( You now have a Great Grandson. Wish you could be here to see how beautiful he is.

Michelle Guirado
Daughter

June 16, 2011

Nick,
Today as two Miami Dade officers were kill in the line of duty
I remember that day in November 36 years ago when a criminal took your life.
I will never forget you my dear friend.
Maritza Ramirez
Miami, Fl

Anonymous

January 20, 2011

Dear Mr. Guirado,

Although I was never given the privilege to meet you, I know your baby daughter Michelle. I am sure you would have been so proud of the great woman she has become.

You are a true hero. May you rest in peace and may God bless your soul.

Love,
Aida Castellano

Aida Castellano
Friend of daughter

March 25, 2010

Love you always, Dad! Happy Father's Day! :*(

Michelle Guirado
Daughter

June 21, 2009

As my career's end is coming closer, I decided to check and find those who had lost their lives during the month & year that I was hired. While it's been many years since your passing, I'm sure those you left behind and those whom with you served with distinction have kept you alive in their memories. Thank you for your service and for looking out for us who continue in our chosen profession. Rest in peace Detective Guirado.

Sgt. Robert Mau Sr.
PD Joliet IL

December 19, 2008

I remember the day our family lost this great man. I was only 11 but I can still remember my mother and father crying in the kitchen and I, thinking of my cousins and the pain they must have been going through. I was always in awe of this great man while he was alive, but even more after he made the ultimate sacrifice for the love of the people he protected day to day. Rest in Peace Tio Miguel, (Nick), I'm now 45 but I will never forget you for as long as live.

Alex Souza
Nephew

December 16, 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 13, 2007

33 Years have passed and I'm proud to see he is not forgotten. Thank You.

Michelle Guirado
Daughter

November 14, 2007

You are gone but will never be forgotten.........Rest in peace my brother.......watch over all men and women in blue.

Kevin T Ryan

November 7, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

November 2, 2007

Although I never met you Nick, I heard alot of wonderful things about you from your partner Retired Sgt. Charlie Khorherr who's life you saved.

May God keep you in his glory, and thank you for your sacrifice Detective.

Lt. Emilio W. Gonzalez
Union City P.D.
Funeral Liason
03/07/2007

Lt. Emilio W. Gonzalez
Union City Police Department

March 7, 2007

Det. Guirado,
Your heroic actions and your ultimate
sacrafice will never be forgotten. Rest in peace brother.


Sincerely, Brian Corvino Nephew of Artie Corvino,(Deceased union city police detective)

Security Officer
BCPD

February 22, 2007

I used to meet Nick at the underpass 32nd street Kennedy Blvd. We would talk about the same guys that committed crimes in his town were doing the same in our town. Nick was a great cop. I still think about him. La Hara

ex Detective Marty Millar
North Bergen PD

January 24, 2007

You will never be forgotten. Love you always.

Michelle Guirado
Daughter

December 3, 2005

I still remember, Nick. In our hearts & minds always.

Detectvie
Union City Police Department

November 30, 2005

I still hold you close to my heart,dad you will always be an inspiration to me and so many others. love mike, (nicholas and bianca your grandchildren).

michael guirado/ son

May 9, 2005

I still remember that night they took you from us, Nick. "Officer down," blared the radio as we sped to the scene. We all lost a bit of ourselves that day. But rest peacefully in heaven, brother; you did your time in hell.

Detective
Union City Police Department

September 10, 2004

20 years later, you are not forgotten.

Police Officer
Union City Police Dept.

June 3, 2004

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