Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Badge number was 575 I believe.

John C Thomas
Son

December 21, 2022

Rest in heavenly peace

Mark Mottola

April 4, 2020

Worked with him on the Vice and Narcotics Squad. Great and fun guy. So sorry he dident get to grow old with the rest of us. What memories we would have made. I’m so glad he has a son to carry on.

Volpe Boykin
Norfolk Police

November 30, 2019

It makes me feel very proud to hear of how many of you thought of my father. Thank you for your kind words and sincerity. Some of you I know and others may not know me but I just wanted to say thank you very much for my father is on my mind everyday. I remember the day he didnt pick me up from school and that was when I think o felt something was off. I was only 6 years old going to Ryan academy at the time but even I knew something was wrong. I had spent many days to know a fathers love and I just wanted to say thank to all of you who shared something , a story or an event it really helps me to know the man my father was and how greatly he was appreciated. I will never be the man he was but I try everyday. In short I miss you pops and I wish I could've had just a little more time to know the man you were. I'll see you tomorrow like always...your son!

Johnny C Thomas IV

October 1, 2018

Officer Thomas,
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 Nortolk. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 4, 2014

John the likes of you has never been replaced on the NPD. Us old timers still talk about you and how much we miss you. It never seemed like work when you were around because you would have everyone laughing so hard that we didn't won't the shift to end. Still today when your name is mentioned a smile appears on the faces of all of us that knew you. That tragic day was a shock to us all and we knew we had lost a great friend, brother, and back-up. Stories about you are still told and they never get old. Rookie's can't even begin to realize what they have missed by not having you to teach them the streets and make the job so much fun. We miss you John....RIP Brother

Major Larry Carter
NSO Retired NPD

February 8, 2013

I just saw a motorcade go by in front of my house this afternoon, John. It was for a murdered Norfolk Police Officer. He was a bicycle patrolman, and his family resides here in Virginia Beach. As all the Motorcops cruised through the quiet street; it sounded like a jet was slowly flying over... And then of course my mind went immediately to you. I never see a Norfolk Police uniform without thinking of you.

I still remember riding to Granby High together in your beautiful 62 Impala. You were a grade ahead of me, but always had room in that car for me, because I was a neighborhood pal.

Your mom is still doing OK, I spoke to her a month ago. She has lost so much! First your dad, then you.

I'll never forget you, buddy... and the shock when I head you were gone. So young in the prime of life. You gave it for all of us.

I'll see you again.

Rob DeDominick
Virginia Beach Citizen

October 30, 2010

Twenty five years.
You are still missed by those who had the pleasure of knowing you.
Rest in Peace

Sergeant
Norfolk Police

April 7, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 25th 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 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

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

April 4, 2009

You were highlighted on the website today.
Time has not diminished your service nor your sacrifice.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

January 8, 2009

You will never be forgotten.

Sergeant - retired
Norfolk Police

April 13, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH

April 9, 2008

johnny you are still remembered and missed buddy!!

roni tomarelli
Norfolk Police

April 3, 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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

April 3, 2008

Rest in Peace Motorman. You are not forgotten.

Motor Officer Danny Johnson
Metro Nashville Police Dept.

April 4, 2007

JC,
It's hard to believe 22 years has gone by, I think of our childhood together and can't believe both you and "Pick" are gone. We had so many laughs and good times, I know you and "Pick" are telling stories and enjoying all the other blue angels with you. Some day we will laugh together again...till then I'll keep the shiney side up! Rest in peace my true brother.
Love and Miss ya,

Sgt. Steve Jackson
Portsmouth Police Dept.

May 16, 2006

Thank you for your years of service and for your sacrifice, Officer.

Private Citizen
Norfolk, VA

May 4, 2006

JC
I went to your grave last night--22 years ---You are still missed.

Sergeant
Norfolk PD

April 5, 2006

Brother Thomas,

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Respectfully,
You’re Brothers in Blue

Untouchables LE Motorcycle Club

January 11, 2006

John old friend and roommate, its been almost 21 years and you are never forgotten. Its hard to believe that my daughter Cari will be 21 on the 22nd year of your passing. I see you every day with our picture on the wall. One day we will be united again and the old times will come out. God Bless you JC

Claude
Retired Norfolk Police

November 3, 2005

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Pride Integrity and Guts

Some of you may know my face, but not my name. Most of you have seen me around the city and some have even met me, but not always under the best of circumstances. Some of you have even spoken to me on the phone, when you called me while I was working.

Most of you have an opinion on how my job should be done, but would never take my job if it was the last one on earth. And some of you who don't even know me, hate me because of my job. But when I go to my job, I go to make a difference and so I can fight what everyone else fears.

When most would be running away from danger, my job requires me to run towards it. I do this in the hopes of making a difference for someone else I don't even know. Most people say I make too much money, because my pay is published in the newspaper. But don't think twice about hearing about another sports player sign a 20 million dollar contract for 6 months a year of playing a "game."

Since my job's base pay isn't the best I must work extra to pay the bills. Including working extra shifts on holidays, and pick up side work at construction sites as well on my days off, most still complain thinking I am greedy, but don't they realize that I to must pay taxes, have a mortgage car payments and kids in collage as well?

Don't they understand that I am not paid for what I do, but for what I am willing to do for them? After all how can you properly compensate someone to risk their own life and face danger everyday they go to work?

And when I go to work I am punched, kicked, spit on and called every name in the book for doing my job. And every night I leave my house to go to work I realize I may not come back home in the morning. Because when I go to work I can be stabbed, shot, drown, fall, be electrocuted, or die in a car accident rushing to help you.

My job also requires me to carry special "tools" to help me do my job. Sometimes even while doing my job I have to defend myself from someone attacking me. Although, the newspapers will report to you that I "beat someone down", and not that I defended myself from an attack.

While at work I must also carry a gun to protect you, but should I have to use it, the media reports to you that I "gunned someone down" or that I "shot and killed" somebody, and not that I defended myself. Don't they realize that I shoot to live and never to kill?

Also when I go to work I wrap a protective vest around me to help keep me safe through my shift. I use this vest so that I will be allowed to live to the end of my work day. And hope and pray that should something bad happen that this vest helps keep me alive so that I will be allowed to see my children grow.

And when I go to my job, I will see more pain, sorrow, agony, death and destruction in one month than most of you will see in an entire lifetime.


And to the ones who don't know me, I unforunetly will meet most of you at the worst times in your life.

You often will call me to come help you out with a problem. But if you have a really big problem you can get me at a special 3 digit number and me and my coworkers will race to your house, just to help you no questions asked. All you have to do is call and we will be there for you, no matter what time, day, night or holiday, rain shine or blizzard.

Sometimes my job also requires me to deliver lectures, babies and even bad news. I am also the one required to ring your doorbell in the middle of the night, swallow hard and advise you that a loved one will not be coming home tonight, then I spend the rest of my shift wondering why I ever took such a job.

Some people even refer to me as a "pig," but when I hear that word called to me or one of my coworkers I think of Pride, Integrity and Guts, which everyone in my profession needs to do this job.

Me and my coworkers must be able to have muscles of steel, have a sense of humor and put ourselves into dangerous situations and face danger head on all in a days work.

We must act in a second and make a decision in the blink of an eye, and spend the rest of our life hoping we made the right choice in that split second. If not we can be arrested and charged with breaking a law, be sued for violating someone's rights, or end up with even a worse fate.

My job requires me to take an oath to be their and to risk my life to protect you. And it is an oath that me and my fellow coworkers have taken and is one that we will not break.

What, you ask is my job? I am your local police officer. And what do I ask in return of doing all this and risking my life for you, nothing at all because it is my job and my hope, of being the one who makes the difference.

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Above Article was written last year by me for a local newspaper. It was then published in 3 more newspapers during National Police Week 2004.

Article Written By:

Officer Paul Cotter
Lynn Mass Police Dept.

"Never Forgetting Them, and What They Have Done For Us!" - Paul Cotter

Off. Paul Cotter
Lynn MA PD

April 18, 2005

I remember the phone call in the night that told us of your death.You were so loved by Dick(Pallette),and me.Though it is almost 21 years later,I know you are still thought about by us both.Bless you,John.

Cheryl(Pallette)Calbick

January 22, 2005

Rest in peace, John. You are not and never will be forgotten.

October 3, 2004

Hey John,
I never got a chance to work with you brother but I am deeply gracious for the path you and others have led for me at NPD. You are truly missed by those that loved you. RIDE ON BROTHER RIDE ON

Detective K.A.Purnell
Norfolk Police

October 13, 2003

Rest inpeace motorman.

Ofc. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Dept.