Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

God Bless You. Fidelis Ad Mortem.

Frank
NYPD Detective-Retired
MTS Pct/NYDAOS

September 15, 2023

Fidelis Ad Mortem.

Rest In Peace.

Lieutenant Gregory W. Chupa
NYPD (Retired)

February 4, 2022

I revisited this page today.. We served together in Vietnam on VC Hill for a while before I was sent to work with the Navy and in other locations.. He and other of my friends served over two tours in Nam. He was admired by all of us and respected.. Sadly this makes me think of the song that plated when we were in Nam.. Only the good die young... Rest in peace brother

David Gibson
US Army Vietnam

September 27, 2021

Rest In Peace … hero

Ret. Po ohara
Nypd mounted

September 15, 2021

Your selfless actions that evening are the definition of heroism. Rest in peace and always know that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 15, 2020

Thank you for your service to Country and service to our City. We are forever indebted to you Sir. You will always be in my prayers.

PO Arboledapalacio
Nypd

February 7, 2020

Rest in peace brother.

Lieutenant Raymond Flores
NYPD (retired)

September 15, 2019

Officer Hopkins,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 15, 2019

Officer Hopkins, rest in peace. My dad served with the 102nd precinct in Richmond Hill in Queens.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 18, 2019

Sgt Hopkins was a friend in Vietnam where we were stationed together on VC Hill. I have a photo of him taken in 1968. Please contact me for more details at [email protected]
Dan Potts

SP/5
US Army Vietnam

January 5, 2019

My good friend and I served with him in Vietnam. He was known to be a very good man. We are always searching for people with which we served.. Sadly, and too often we discover they passed decades before when still young. We have some photos of him around 1967-68
His memory will always remain alive with other Veterans.... He was a man of authority and a peace maker...
[email protected]

David Gibson
Served with him in Vietnam

January 5, 2019

R.I.P. Earl
You passed before I was born, but my mom told me what happened years ago. She is your 1st cousin and brought you up today, so I decided to Google you. She loved your mom (Aunt Lilian) and would visit her when she was younger. I'm sorry I never got to meet you, Aunt Lillian, or the rest of her kids. God Bless all my family in NY.

Sheena Hodges
2nd Cousin

May 8, 2018

Proudly mailed my No Parole letter today. Thank You for your service to our country; sacrifice for your community. Sending up prayers for your family, friends and colleagues during this time. God Bless You All!

Allie
Supporter of Law Enforcement
Wife of Corrections Deputy

April 17, 2018

God bless you brother, thank you for your service to the country, and to the NYPD. Rest peacefully.

RET P.O David.Biondi
NYPD

September 17, 2017

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

September 15, 2017

My letter went out today. Many thanks for your service in our military and law enforcement. My condolences to you family RIP.

John Haseltine - Civilian

May 10, 2016

It was my honor to research newspapers, magazines, online & books to find your ID CARD Photo. I found this photo in a 1979 Spring 3100 Magazine Article about your heroic sacrifice. I felt it was necessary to have a photo on this website so that your family & friends can remember you. Rest Easy Hero! Always Remembered!

APO Christian Durante
NYPD: 68th Precinct Auxiliary Police Unit

February 5, 2016

I worked in the 77 pct. From 1977-86, Mel was a one of kind guy, always smiling and telling stories. Mel left and went to the mounted unit for a short while and came back, he was the last guy in the 77 anybody thought something like that would happen to. He loveed the community and the community loved him, he was a good guy. Miss you Mel, rest in peace

Retired Det. David Coleman
NYPD

January 15, 2015

REST IN PEACE MEL.........GOD BLESS

P.O. JIM MAFFUCCI
77 PCT 1968-78

January 10, 2015

Hello my brother ,never for got you this is butch from the block you alway's said to me stay on the right track.I did God Bless You.REST IN PEACE!From Koscuisko Street Brooklyn, New York.

Robert Springs Jr.
Friend From The Area

September 2, 2013

Officer Hopkins,
On today, the 33rd anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
U.S. Border Patrol

September 15, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 31rst 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

September 15, 2010

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

Robyn Wilkes

September 14, 2009

P/O Hopkins, you are not forgotten.

Sgt. G. Morace #322
Philadelphia PD

September 15, 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

January 2, 2008