Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Officer Pocchio.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 24, 2024

Joe May Hod bless you in Heaven eternally

Anthony weedo police officer
Belleville Nj police retited

August 7, 2022

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

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

August 4, 2020

I went to the academy with Joe in West Orange he sat next to me we helped each other through the class

Det Sgt Robert Bucella
Wedt Orange PD

February 11, 2018

JOE was a friend of mine. We work together at United Advertising Newark in early 1970,s Great Guy. We had a lot of fun on Bloomfield Ave in the Belmont Tavern, with Streach and the boys. He inspired me to became a police officer after he was killed on a motor vehicle stop in Branch Brook Park N.J. He was due tobe married. Never Forget your sacrifice. Ret. Sgt.John L. Krug, Montclair Univer Police N.J.

Sergeant John L.Krug
Montclair University Police Ret.

July 29, 2016

miss ya a lot bro,you should not have worked the double,the plaque on the bridge does not do you justice,you were much better than that..love you my brother allways will

ptl.a milbauer
resigned essex county police

January 16, 2014

I miss you Joe. You were a good friend and a true rofessional. You survived your wounds after serving In the USMC in Viet Nam Only to return home and serve again.

LT Gordon Williams (RET)
ESSEX COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT

August 5, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 34th anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. 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

January 30, 2013

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

April 12, 2010

My mother served with you on the force. I can't believe those cowardly bastards shot you before you could even exit your car.It is a terrible shame that one can survive a bloody war like Viet Nam and be a hero then die stateside because someone doesn't want to go to jail. You're my hero I want to join the USMC then serve the public as a police officerlike you did, I think of you often.

Ferdinando Palumbo

October 4, 2008

Rest in peace Brother.

Kevin T Ryan
NJ

August 8, 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 12, 2007

A true hero is never forgotten, and as such you will never be forgotten my friend.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

August 4, 2007

Officer Pocchio was my hero; I wanted to be just like him. I joined the USMC from 1981-1984 then became a Maryland State Trooper. I have been a Trooper for 23 years. He was my inspiration.

I think of him often and miss him.

Frank Esposito
Sergeant
Maryland State Police

Sergeant
Maryland State Police

May 28, 2007

Miss you Joe.

Lt. Gordon Williams (Ret)
Essex County Police

July 11, 2005

Rest in peace my brother.

Police Officer
Burlington Township PD

December 23, 2004

Joe served his country in Viet Nam before becoming a police officer. He was a POW and returned home as a decorated veteran. He was so proud to be a police officer, until he was murdered. Do you belive the murderer is out of jail/ what a system. A bronze plaque currently hangs in the rotunda of the Essex County Hall of Records to remind all the citizens of Essex County that he gave his life to make them safe.

Captain Thomas Paranzine
Essex County Police Department

October 25, 2003

Joe was a personal friend of mine. I was a Detective at that time he was murdered who conducted the investigation, and arrested the suspect. I worked three weeks non stop until the suspect was arrested. We were all preparing to attend his wedding scheduled for the week after he was gunned down by that coward.
HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
Captain Thomas Paranzine

Captain Thomas Paranzine
Essex County Police Department

October 10, 2003

Joe was a personal friend of mine. I was a Detective at that time he was murdered who conducted the investigation, and arrested the suspect. I worked three weeks non stop until the suspect was arrested.
HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
Captain Thomas Paranzine

Captain Thomas Paranzine
Essex County Police Department

October 10, 2003

Joe was a personal friend of mine. I was a Detective at that time he was murdered who conducted the investigation, and arrested the suspect. I worked three weeks non stop until the suspect was arrested.
HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
Captain Thomas Paranzine

Captain Thomas Paranzine
Essex County Police Department

October 10, 2003