Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Two decades have passed but you have not been forgotten. Those that love you and close to you will never let your memory be forgotten. Continue to watch over all your loved ones and those still out on patrol. You are a true hero.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

June 22, 2007

After leaving the department in 1988, not a day goes by that I do not think about that fateful night in June of 1987. You were so good to me when we met at 77th division while on probation. There are things in life you never forget. The moment that I laid my white gloves on your casket after five other friends and myself l placed you in your final resting place. I will never ever forget Goleta. Fate is a funny thing, nearly 20 years later, my son is attending college at UCSB in your hometown. I visit your gravesite whenever I visit him. Jim, we will meet again in heaven, however, you will be a hero. Forever your friend, Chris.

Police Officer III Chris Clarkson
Served L.A.P.D. 1982 through 1988

December 23, 2006

Yep - At your funeral, I had that stoic, macho, never-gonna-see-me-cry, Marine look, until I went up front, trying to be strong for your fiancee. All I could say to her was, "You know Jim is looking down on us right now."...Then, I lost it...RIP Bro Semper Fi, M. B. P.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

August 14, 2006

May God continue to bless you on your 18th EOW anniversary

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.

State Trooper - Ret.
Michigan State Police

June 22, 2006

Officer Pagliotti, you stepped up and Our Lord did not finding you wanting.How many of us will be able to say the same of ourselves.May you Rest in Peace.

June 22, 2006

JIM,

YOU WERE AND ARE SO ADMIRED AND LOVED FOR YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR AND PROWESS AS A STREET COP. YOU WENT ALOT SOONER THAN ALL OF US HAD EXPECTED, BUT REST ASSURED, YOUR NAME ECHOES IN THE HALLS OF THE LAPD FOREVER. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE LOVED AND REVERED BY US ALL. GOD BLESS YOU JIM. WE WILL NEVER FORGET.

DAVID E. BACA
CAPTAIN, LAPD

CAPTAIN DAVID E. BACA
LAPD

June 2, 2006

Your great courage and sense of humor will always be remembered within the LAPD, but especially in Metro. You have made us all a little better by knowing you, rest in peace.

Sergeant Bill Forman
LAPD

January 3, 2006

Twenty years ago we were enjoying the bachelor life in our somewhat well-kept house, working hard and playing hard. It was the best of times. And you have been the heart of the best stories,both from work and from home. Fitting for a great cop, partner, roommate and friend.

It was my good fortune to have you stand up with me at my wedding. My daughter asks about you often. We live with the confidence that your mischief still entertains and your humor remains eternally appreciated.

Meanwhile, we do our best to keep your memory sacred. Your killer's prison term was extended for five more years, and we will be there the next time and the next. Maybe he will find the courage to look me in the eye, but I doubt it.

Your three wood is still hitting them long, and sometimes straight. The clubs are all metal now, so there is a little ribbing that goes along with swinging a 20 year-old persimmon. The heart of the club still outdrives them, and leaves them wondering. Not me though, I know the stock from which it came.


Watch over us all until we can meet again,

Glynn

Sergeant II Glynn B. Martin
LAPD

December 8, 2005

As I look back James was one of those guys you knew would make it far and up the ladder on the department. He was one of the best guys I had to train as his training office. Doing his years after probation I stayed in touch with him and tried to puch him to promote. I had the highest regards for him and his future with the department I only wish that his time ran out so quickly....you will always be in my heart.

Retired D-3 Ed Lindsey
LAPD Retired

November 23, 2005

I remember the days at 77th, you were a funny guy. a good steet cop. When greg Baltad and I heard the news that you were going to Metro, we thought they made a good choice. One of the sadest days when we heard you were gone. take care my friend....

PO 3 Paul Clements
Los Angeles Police Dept.

November 17, 2005

Wow, eighteen years since that day you left us all. You always spoke of a life of destiny and believed we all had a special calling. A quote you said one time I never forgot “Reedy, I would rather die in blazing gun battle with my boots on then to die getting hit by some bus.” Only you Jimbo would come up with such a ridiculous statement, but we all laughed and went on our trouble free lives until I got that 0430 hr phone call. I too saw the proverbial white elephant and didn’t even remember pulling the trigger. What I did remember was a feeling of security and knew you were there looking out for me from your angelic stance. As I look back and remember all the good times we had, I smile; because I know we will meet again. And like Mr. Ryan has said the fairways will be wide and all our putts will be for birdies, and remember Jim, even in Heaven the ball will always break towards the water.


Reedy

DET. MIKE REED
BAKERSFIELD PD

May 18, 2005

'...while protecting his partner'... that says it all. God bless.

anonymous

November 25, 2004

It seems like only yesterday that we were playing golf and working the streets of Hollywood Division. I still remember the time you hit your golf ball in a fairway bunker on a par five at River Ridge golf course in Oxnard. The lie was good so you promptly took your brand new, persimmon headed, Palmer 3-wood and gave it a whack. Your ball went 3 feet, your chucked your club about 30 yards, and the sand pebbles from the bunker completely ruined the club face and finish on your 3 wood. Good times. I still miss you and think of you often. I'm sure the fairways are wide and the greens are smooth up there in heaven. Till we meet again.
Your pal, Randy Ryan.

Detective II Randy Ryan
LAPD

March 25, 2004

Rest in Peace Blue Angel, your heroics will live on in the memories and hearts of us all.
Thank You

CPD