Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I never knew you John Palacios but I know your sister , Delia, and have had the honor of meeting a being friends to your parents. They think of you often and now you and your family will be honored June 14, 2019 by the new police department being named in your honor. I am honored to know of you and love your family.
Betty Jean Johnsen

Betty Jean Johnsen
Resident Palm Desert, CA

June 9, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you Hero and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

June 13, 2018

It was hard on the family he was my dads cousin

Michelle Castro

June 5, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 15, 2015

John, I knew you in high school and remember you as a kind person. Your sister, Martina and I were in the same class. Age 21 is way too young to leave this world. Especially with a wife and baby on the way. Reading what you did, and the wonderful note the victims son left truly shows how wonderful a person you were. Rest in peace.

Aguila

May 7, 2015

John,
What isn't said above, is that you saved the life of my father a minute before you gave your life in the line of duty, you arrived on the scene of a horrific accident, My dad was a truck driver, he came over a dark bridge in the middle of the night and on the other side was two cars that had already been in a collision driven by two drunk drivers, sitting in the middle of the road with no lights on, my fathers truck went off the road and went nose down into a full drainage ditch, nearly killing him, he got out of the truck, used his flashlight to stop any other cars from hitting the accident, you came to the site, gave him a blanket, and relieved him of his position, and moments later a drunk driver struck you in that very same position, hurling your broken body over my fathers head and into a field. Your sacrifice allowed a 7 year old boy to spend another 14 years with his dad before he passed away also in 1990. My father told this story often as the closest he came to death, and how he would have gladly traded places with you because he was 44 at the time, and you never had a chance to really live. for me you are the greatest of heroes. I know he and you are together in paradise today and our family is eternally grateful.

Kent
victims son

April 29, 2014

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 36th 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 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

November 19, 2012

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

Officer 11169

October 23, 2009

John,

Photos of you are scarce and this one had to be modified from the larger photo that hangs in our lobby; the only one that we have. I wanted to see to it that your story was commemorated with a photo as you most certainly deserve it.

To the Palacios Family;

We will continue to honor the memory of your son and his sacrifice shall not fade away into history and shall continue to combat drunk driving on the John Palacios Memorial Highway where he perished...

Sergeant Robert Herndon
Huron Police Department (CA)

June 4, 2009

OFFICER PALACIOS HEROES ARE NEVER FORGOTTEN.YOU WERE THE SAME AGE WHEN I STARTED MY LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER.I KNOW THE PRIDE YOU FELT WHEN YOU PUT ON THAT UNIFORM AND HEADED OUT YOUR FRONT DOOR.YOU KNEW THAT EACH DAY WAS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT.BUT YOU WERE WILLING TO TAKE THE CHALLENGE AND FACE THE UNKNOWN LIKE ALL YOUR FELLOW OFFICERS.WHEN YOU WERE HIRED YOU SWORE TO PROTECT AND SERVE.YOU WENT BEYOND THAT BY MAKING THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE TO YOUR COMMUNITY.I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE FOR MAKING THIS COUNTRY A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL US.YOU WERE DOING WHAT YOU WERE TAUGHT AS A POLICE OFFICER AND YOU DID IT WELL.I HONOR YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE.YOU ARE A TRUE HERO AND HEROES ARE NEVER FORGOTTEN.

AL LLANOS
FRESNO PD RET.

November 21, 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

November 28, 2007

Officer Palacios was killed just after my class graduated from HS and was a mere 3 years older than us. He should be enjoying his retirement. My condolences to his family on this sad anniversary of 31 years.

D. Baughn

June 13, 2007

I was surfing on a police site this evening and saw a posting from the son of this officer. He told of the pain of losing his father so many years ago, of not really even knowing his father since he was so young when he father died. The words of this son pierced my heart with sadness. Sadness for the many things this son never had by losing his father. Sadness that this loss still haunts him even today. I am so sorry for the loss of your father. You have suffered mightily as a result of his sacrifice. I hope you find comfort in knowing your father died performing a noble job-serving his community. I know this will not lessen your pain but will help you as you continue to mourn his loss. God Bless You and your family.

Sergeant Mike Smathers
Charlotte mecklenburg Police Department

May 31, 2004