Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I did not know David, but as a fellow Alaska State Trooper, I attended his funeral. Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground was played at his service. I listen to it often and think of him and his service and sacrifice to our fellow man. RIP

Sam Barnard

November 7, 2023

I am so thankful to read these reflections of your character & the life you lived.. I listen to the stories our family tells about you and always wish I could have gotten to know you. Thank you for your incredible service.. and the son you raised. My son will always carry the Stimson name in your honor. Love & Peace

Sarah A. Phillips (Stimson)
Granddaughter

January 14, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. You are not forgotten.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

January 14, 2018

John and I served together when I was assigned to the Valdez post as a Trooper FWP officer. We spent many a wonderful night onboard the Enforcer and I will always remember his sense of humor. He was great guy and a true hero. I came across this site while looking for photos of the Enforcer for my collection. If anyone reading this has any old photos of John and the Enforcer I would love to add them to my collection.

Trooper Gerald Hooper Ret.
Alaska State Troopers

August 19, 2015

My great uncle I was never able to meet. Dad speaks highly of you and I only hope to be as great of a cop as you. Thank you for you service.

Deputy FTO Alexander Stimson
Vernon county sheriff's office

June 15, 2015

FIRST. God Bless you Marshall Di Gerolamo, thats a perfect scripture. Now for Officer Stimsons sacrifice. WHERE IS THE MOVIE ABOUT THIS? What an INCREDIBLE sacrifice. I know this incident happened a long long time time ago, but only learned of it researching the memorial on Alaska State Troopers broadcoast of last watch for Trooper Toll, and pilot Mel Nading. I began to look at each one and wow...this one just shook me. Oh I was a corrections Officer for 6 yrs from 91 to 97 but I feel thats a cakewalk compared to what these good men and women sacrifice daily. GOD BLESS those that TRULY seek to serve others and may their families look forward to their reunion.

Melinda Perry
Dept of Corrections (retired)

February 21, 2014

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

April 3, 2013

A good man missed. An angel flying too close to the ground. I enjoyed meeting you and working with you in Cold Bay John, even if it did leave me with a black eye, lol. Afterwardsmwe met in your office and came to a gentlemen's agreement. Thank you for your sacrifices in Cordova. Here's a good version of "Angel..." bu Willie Nelson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vi__gd84XI I stood by the Alaska State Trooper motor vessel named in your honor last night... mice that they did that.

Officer Michael Livingston
Sand Point Police Department

February 9, 2013

30 years and you still are missed!!! i love you dad

shawn stimson
your boy

January 14, 2013

Heroes live forever, Sergeant Stimson, and we will never forget. Thank you for your sacrifice for the citizens of the great State of Alaska.

Greater Houston C.O.P.S.

January 14, 2013

Sgt. Stimson,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Alaska. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 14, 2013

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

November 13, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 29th 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.

Time never dimishes respect and your memory wili always be honored and revered. I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.
Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

January 14, 2012

Rest in peace my Brother. You are truly a hero.

Deputy Sheriff
Covinton County Sheriff's Dept. (Mississippi)

June 14, 2010

RIP.You will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

November 10, 2008

I remember Sergeant Stimson as the skipper of the State Trooper boat the Enforcer, I recall having spent a shivering night without food on a Coast Guard surf boat somewhere west of the Strawberry Channel and then getting along side the Enforcer where John was fighting a battle against fate: a boat had rolled in the surf while fishing, a boy was dead and his father had just been fished out of the water half alive, later that day a plane crashed and put six more people in the water. Through it all he kept pace and never got excited. He executed his duties with out flaw. In addition he saw to it my crew and myself were fed and rested before we shoved off to get back to Cordova. I was a young man then and he inpressed me much that I have tried to run every boat I every was in charge of and every law enforcement action I was ever in charge of in the same unflustered and professional manner. The guy was a hero of the first order. I was running search and rescue down in Ketchikan when I heard about the accident in Cordova and I cried. Thats the effect one man can have on a young life in a very brief time. He was the best!

BMC Roger A. Barnstead
US Coast Guard

July 23, 2008

I never got to meet you grampa I LOVE U. from JD

JD
grandson

January 21, 2008

I never got to meet you grampa I LOVE YOU. from J.D.

January 21, 2008

LOVE YA DAD NUFF SAID!

SON

January 11, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 5, 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 14, 2007

John was my uncle. What I remeber most about him was that he was always smiling and laughing. He used to exit the harbor playing the Flight of the Valkeryes at full blast. He gave his life to save another man, he died with his cowboy boots on. That was John.

Rest In Peace

August 30, 2007

A true selfless hero. I know your reward in heaven is great.
God Bless you and Godspeed.

January 10, 2007

Rest in Peace, Sergeant Stimson. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

November 2, 2006

No greater love is there, than for a man to lay down his life for his friends. You are a true hero sir, there is a special place for you in heaven, you did your time in hell, which turned out being a cold place. Rest in Peace and hope to shake your hand on the other side.

Michael Roberts
Browser

July 31, 2006