Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Warrior and Hero!!!

Inspector

March 23, 2012

Rest in peace and god bless you.

Lt JPease
Brentwood P.D.

February 1, 2012

my cousin's son plays his first football game today for father judge high school at RAMP field.i hear everyone saying 'i'll meet you at ramp'.well i decided to give them all a history lesson on the naming of this field and they were all shocked by the tragic way RAMP field came to be named. Officer James Ramp was killed in the line of duty by a bunch of thugs who didnt want to live as humans.he was shot by cowards who hid behind walls.God bless Jimmy Ramp and all our men and ladies who protect us day in and day out.

lou novak private citizen
friend

September 11, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 32nd 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. My son was also a fellow Marine so I also bid you semper fidelis. You lived that motto.

I pray for solace for all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. To read about your valor was to read about a testiment to both courage and selflessness. Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

August 8, 2010

a true hero. thank you for all your service. we are coming up on 30 years and yet the pain and depth of admiration in these reflections still resonates so strongly and brings tears to my eyes. yes, a true hero indeed.

semper fi

Anonymous

August 6, 2008

Never Forgotten.

P/O #7426
PPD

May 4, 2008

I was 8 years old/on the 5th year anniversary I remember more shown..But on that day of August 8 ,1978..I had no school- just watching television.I was a kid, but I understood. I saw exactly what you did to prevent further chaos..and in doing so, sacrificed your life. My Dad was there- I found out later..he was one of the mounted officers called when chaos broke out. Honorable P/O Ramp, hope that the public understands the risk every first responder takes..every day,,five days a week (at least)

PCD GIAFAGLIONE
PHILADELPHIA POLICE

April 25, 2008

To the Ramp family and his extended family - those he served with in the PD and the Corps. I did not know Jimmy personally, but shortly after his horrible death on-duty I was transferred to the Stakeout Unit. During my early days there, I was assigned to work with several different outstanding Stakeout officers patrolling the streets of Philadelphia. Numerous times the different officers would take me by the site of the MOVE confrontation. We would stop in our patrol vehicle and the officer I was with, my partner for that shift, would reflect on the day of this battle. Many of them were there that day, or were on-duty but elsewhere. All of them had great things to say about Jimmy. They honored him for the true hero that he was. I never discussed the different stories with any of the other officers - each of their stories were deep and personal - not something for me to repeat to anyone. Just about all of my visits with these different officers ended the same way - with a quiet, respectful silence that said more than any words. These were my mentors that prepared me well for my time in the Stakeout Unit, and Jimmy was certainly their mentor. God's blessing to all. Rest in peace James J. Ramp, you were never forgotten.

P/O Harry M. #2027
PPD, Retired

February 22, 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 24, 2008

For fellow historians: MOVE member William Phillips, a.k.a. Phil Africa, allegedly bought the weapon that was used to kill Officer Ramp.

Who knew? - In May of 1985, the Philadelphia Police Department faced this same radical organization in what became one of the most tragic incidents involving law enforcement, and led to the appointment of Philadelphia Police Commissioner Willie L. Williams.

After the civil unrest here in 1992 here in Los Angeles, Williams replaced Chief Daryl F. Gates. I did much research on groups such as M.O.V.E., the Black Panthers and others. I appeared on radio shows with some of them as well as with Chief Williams who actually made a videotape congratulating me when I was promoted to a Marine Corps Major. I only regret that before Chief Williams left Los Angeles, I never had the opportunity to discuss the murder of Officer Ramp via the radio airwaves.

Devil Dawg Ramp: May Your Soul Rest-In-Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

August 8, 2007

You will never be forgotten sir.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

August 8, 2007

Sir you are truly a real AMERICAN hero. This country would be a much better and safer place if there were more like you. Thank you for ALL of your service.

Public Safety Officer, J. Perrone
Sunnyvale Dept. of Public Safety, CA

March 10, 2007

Dear Officer Ramp,
My father Sgt. Daniel Hill was with you that day , I never saw him cry before and I remember being very afraid for my Dad. He spoke of you often through the years, always with great admiration and sorrow. I hope you two great men are together in heaven. God Bless You.
Diane Davies

Diane Davies

October 7, 2006

Honorable Officer Ramp,
I was 13 years old, and I saw what transpired on Channel 6 News , broadcast live. I didn't quite understand all the implications of what the dispute was about, but I saw your protection- and remember distinctly how you pushed someone else out of the line of fire. God Bless You; It will never be forgotten.
With All Respect,
K. Giafaglione

PCDT K. Giafaglione
Police Radio

September 14, 2006

My father worked with James "Jimmy" Ramp in the Stakeout Unit.He was one of the finest men you could ever know.He was over my home many times and was a dear friend of my father's.My father had the utmost respect for him;and to this day i have never seen my father cry like he did the day Jimmy lost his life.God Bless you Jimmy;you will never be forgotten.

Ofc.James Howard
Cheltenham Twp Police Dept.

August 9, 2006

We continue on in your memory. Rest in peace, Sir. Semper Fi.

Al Whitney
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Arizona

July 23, 2006

I met James Ramp As a 7 year old boy. I was in the Young Marines, an organization that Mr. Ramp heavily participated in along with other fine officers and ex marines like Carmen Marzano of the Phila Bomb Squad, whose son I was good friends with.

I remember feeling the sorrow of that day, along with being in awe of his bravery and selflessness.

At 17 I joined the Corps, and even told Mr. Ramp's story to other members of my platoon at Parris Island when exchanging stories about hereoes.

My father, Jerry Watkins, was a friend of Mr. Ramp's as well. I still think of him to this day, at 40 years old. The world needs more Marines and more Offices like Mr. Ramp.

Semper Fi, Devil Dog

Kevin Watkins

April 12, 2006

I played on the ballfied named in your honor when I was a child.
I work on your streets in honor of you today. You are a hero. May God comfort and protect your family.

GM
Philadelphia PD

March 1, 2006

Officer Ramp , you are not forgotten and will never be forgotten. You remain in our prayers and thoughts. God Bless you as you sleep in God's love and His Arms. Thank you for all your hard work dedication and sacrifice in protecting the citizens of Phila. You are a Hero.
Respectfully,
Kathi Halligan Phila PA wife and mom of LEO

January 9, 2006

Let us not forget that MOVE did not start on May 13,1985 but August of 1978 at 33rd & Pearl. While we are continually reminded by MOVE about the "murder" of their followers, I fear the memory of this great man is quickly forgotten. James Ramp is a symbol of what was at that time the Greatest Police Department in the World who held in their ranks fearless men of honor. Rest in Peace James.

BPT

September 15, 2005

I would like anyone who visits this web site to know the unselfish bravery of this man. As police attempted to remove violent "move members" they encountered a burst of gun fire from a 9mm automatic rifle. Several firemen and police were hit by gun fire, Jim Ramp immediately postioned himself over the wounded fully exposing himself to mortal gunfire. He was sruck in the neck and fell back onto the sidewalk next to the telephone pole and died immediately. I witnessed this great bravery and I witnessed this great man die. His action was the most unselfish act a human being can give.I have never forgotten and will never forget.

Sergeant Vincent Lowry
retired

September 13, 2005

Officer Ramp,
On today, the 27th anniversary of your murder, I would like to thank you for your service and sacrifice, not just as a Philadelphia Police Officer but as a U.S. Marine in WWII and Korea as well.

Semper Fi Devil Dog
A former Marine;fellow LEO

August 8, 2005

May you rest in peace. A hero such as yourself will always be remembered.

Detective Chris McMullin
Bensalem Police Dept.

July 3, 2005

God bless you for your service to our country and your community. You are a true hero to us all.

DE
St. Louis City Police

September 8, 2004

Jim,
After all these years I was suprised to see noone else has either found this site or just don't remember. I want to let you know, where ever you may be, I have not forgotten.
I was standing beside you on Pearl st. when you were shot and I hope to stand at your side again.

Semper Fi,

John Monaghan

Detective retired John Monaghan
Philadelphia Police Department