Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

November 22, 2004

Dear J. D.,

My thoughts can't help but turn to the Tippit and Kennedy families on this sad 41st anniversary. No matter how many years go by, the shock and pain of the horrible events in Dallas on November 22, 1963, never leave me. I pray that your family is well and now able to enjoy many wonderful memories of you during this Thanksgiving week. Hard to imagine that you would now be 80 years old! I hope your days are now filled with glorious events and that your rest is blissfully peaceful. Thank you again for your outstanding service as a police officer in Dallas, and rest assured that you will never be forgotten. I truly look forward to meeting you!

Susan Prater
Kentuckian

November 22, 2004

There were many brave officers that day in Dallas, but you made the ultimate sacrifice. Let your memory serve as a reminder that each officer lost is a tragedy and each life is equal in importance. Bless you and your family and may you rest in peace.

A citizen

October 16, 2004

I can only reiterate what everyone else has said. You, Officer Tippit, were the true hero of that day. I salute you, honor you, and am humbled by your sacrifice.

Your name will live in infamy. And I'm sure you felt you were only doing your job. I bet you and JFK have become lasting friends.....

God bless you both.

September 30, 2004

Thank you for your sacrifice and courage on that fateful day. You will always be remembered as a hero who did his duty when it counted. You are not forgotten.

M. Bartholme
Richmond (VA) Police Department

September 26, 2004

Officer Tippit

I was 14 yrs. old when you and President Kennedy died. My grandfather was a police officer and on that day my thoughts were of you and your family, not the president. I have always felt that you were the hero that day. After recently talking by telephone with your old friend, Sgt. Nick McDonald, I KNOW you were the hero that day. Rest in peace, our brother in blue.

Chief of Police
Jackson Police Dept.

September 23, 2004

No greater love a man can have than to lay his life on the line for those he may not know.
You made the ultimate sacrifice so innocent people would not be harmed.
Your bravery is of the highest order, you are a Hero and you will not be forgotten.

Retired police officer.

June 17, 2004

"We will never forget you brother..."

Long Beach Police Department Ca.

December 21, 2003

Thank you for your sacrifice Officer Tippit. Even though you are gone, you are not forgotten. I've read articles about your story and how your family has handled your passing. Thanks to your wife and child for letting us know that there is life after death.

Jocelyne Brar (Drakesville, IA)
Fiancee of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry (EOW 01/01/03)

December 9, 2003

I remember when an influential, high ranking woman said that your death was not as great as that of JFK. I remember the rage of my mother, whose young son would follow your footsteps. JD, my mother cried for you so long ago, I hope that the two of you have met. GodSpeed.

Ret Officer RB Wade
Richmond,Va Police

November 26, 2003

40 years later...we still remember who the ture hero was that day...god speed brother in blue...we have not forgotten

Anonymous

November 22, 2003

May we never forget that our President wasn't the only one to die on that terrible day. At a time when everything must have been chaos, and everyone was stunned, this young officer kept his head, and did his duty. What a good officer he must have been to have been able to keep working at such a time, just when he was needed most. He spotted the suspect, whose name a nation will never forget, and gave his life in service that day.
I will keep his name on my calender on this date, and this Thanksgiving, I will speak his name, for we should all be ever grateful for such dedicated brothers in arms.
Nothing can replace your officer, but know that we remember him, and honor him for the hero he is. I pray that the memories you have of him in happier times has helped to ease the sorrow of his loss.
He did not lose his life-he gave it, and I know that he's safe where he is, and watches over you still.

11/22/2003

Sgt. Barbara Belandm
Monroe Co. Sheriff Dept. Bloomington, In.

November 22, 2003

God Bless You Officer Tippit. You will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

November 22, 2003

To Officer J.D. Tippit and his family,

Today is the 40th anniversary of the assassination of you and President Kennedy. Fourty years later the nation is still remembering the tradgic day as if it was yesterday that you and the President were assassinated. But today I am think not only of the the late President Kennedy, I am think about you and praying that your family has found peace in their lives and in Gods grace.

My husband also lost his life in the line of duty and I know how hard it is on the family.

Thank you Officer J.D. Tippit for your service, May you rest in peace along with my husband and all the other heros that the Good Lord has brought home.

DJ Coursen,Widow of Cpl. AJ Coursen
Beaufort , South Carolina Sheriff's Office

November 22, 2003

November 22, 2003

Dear Officer Tippit,

Thinking of you on the 40th anniversary of your death and remembering what a horror that day was in Dallas. That 40 years have passed is almost impossible to believe . . . seems like last week. I saw some heartbreaking film footage of your funeral on TV last night; I pray that your family is well, even though I'm sure the pain of your being taken from them never leaves them.

Rest in eternal peace, J.D. You'll never be forgotten. We thank you again for your outstanding service and for giving your life for our protection.

Susan Prater
Kentucky

November 21, 2003

TO OFFICER J.D. TIPPIT: Two Public Servants were murdered in Dallas that day. I have never thought that one was more important than the other. I have studied the case for years and look forward until the day the two of us can sit and discuss it in person. Until then, I will NEVER forget your sacrifice and have made sure my kids won't either !
TO THE TIPPIT FAMILY: You were not alone. The entire Country lost a good officer that day. Thank You for allowing him to serve.

The policeman stood and faced his God,which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman. How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?
The policeman squared his shoulders and said.
"No, I guess I ain't because those of us who carry a badge can't always be a Saint."
I've had to work most Sundays
and at times my talk is rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep...
though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills got to steep.
And I never passed a cry for help
though at times I shook with fear,
and sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here.
They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much, but if you don't...I'll understand"
There was a silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman.
You've borne you burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets.
You've done your time in Hell"

G. Houston
South Carolina

September 29, 2003

In just over a month, the national media will again be covering the JFK assassination as its 40th anniversary arrives. It would nice if they would also emphatically commemorate the ultimate sacrifice made by Officer Tippit on that day. I would submit that Officer Tippit's final call - attempting to apprehend the murderer of the President of the United States (and losing his life in the process) - is one of the most courageous and underrated acts in modern American history. I urge his brother and sister officers to contact the national media and ask for the tributes and commemorations to Officer Tippit that are long overdue.

Rest in Peace, Sir. You will never be forgotten.

September 28, 2003

Tonight on the news I watched a clip on Officer Tippit, who encountered Lee Harvey Oswald just one hour after the shots that rang out and killed President Kennedy in Dallas. Although everyone remembers that fateful day, it is easily forgotten that this man laid down his life as well.

Officer Tippit left behind a wife of nineteen years, and a 5-year-old son, who is now grown. They looked good.

A new memorial has been erected in Dallas for all fallen officers of the Dallas police department, and J.D. Tippit is included in this beautiful memorial.

Remember the name. Remember the sacrifice. Remember the families. Pray for all of our men and women in blue - this could be any one of them at any time.

A very grateful citizen,

Tracy Robinson

Citizen of Quinlan, Texas

I am also a police officer in Virginia and was not born when all the events took place that day. I am a student to American History and from them I take great lessons that I wish every officer would also share. From this unfortunate incident, I take the lesson what a real officer does. I have learned from you Officer Tippit, even posthumously, that freedom and courage doesn't go unnoticed not even from half the country away. Never back down and always stand up for what is right. You have helped me learn the invaluable lesson of courage and honor to a profession that so many take for granted. God Bless you and your family.

Anonymous
Chesterfield County Police Department

You were a great FTO and friend. I will never forget the good times we had working together. I still have copys of some of the offenses that we investigated together and will cherish them forever. J.D.Tippett #848 was my friend.

Retired Investigator, John Epps
Dallas PD-- Dallas Sheriff Dept

It is very easy for people to forget the sacrifice you made that day. You name rarely come up when the assassination of JFK is talked about, but that makes you no less of a hero and your death made the day all the more tragic.

You are a hero.

Police Officer
New York City Police Department

It is comforting to see others have not overlooked your dedication and bravery on 11/22/63. You represent the epitome of a law enforcement officer in which we all strive.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department

11-22-02 I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE DAY OFFICER J.D.TIPPIT DIED. I WAS 17 YEARS OLD.ON THAT DAY,THIS GREAT NATION LOST A PRESIDENT,BUT IT ALSO LOST A HEROIC POLICE OFFICER BY THE SAME ASSASSIN. 39 YEARS HAVE GONE BY SINCE THIS TRAGIC EVENT. SINCE THEN,I HAVE GROWN UP AND SERVED AND RETIRED AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. MY AMBITION TO BE A POLICE OFFICER WAS DUE TO PEOPLE SUCH AS J.D.TIPPIT. MAY THOSE WHO KNEW HIM PERSONALLY KNOW THAT HIS MEMORY WILL LIVE ON. IT HAS FOR ME FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD -RETIRED
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

November 22, 2002

Dear Officer Tippit,

I was a student in junior high school on this date 39 years ago, but my memories of the events in Dallas on that day are as clear as if they had taken place last week.

Though the media emphasis was certainly on the death of our President, I remember so well how sad and horrified I felt upon hearing the announcement that "Officer J. D. Tippit" had been shot and killed. I didn't have to know you personally to understand, even at that young age, that a brave police officer had lost his life doing his job to the best of his ability, no doubt leaving behind family, friends, and colleagues to bitterly mourn his loss. To me, your death on November 22, 1963 was a very sad and memorable portion of that nightmarish day, and I have thought of you and those you left behind many times during the years.

I hope your family members have found comfort and God's peace during the 39 years since that terrible day. I'm certain there are many Texas law enforcement officers and people in the Dallas community who remember you well and continue to grieve for you. Rest assured that there are those of us across the United States who lived through that day of horror who will never forget "Officer J. D. Tippit" and the outstanding job he did for his community and his country in the midst of such a dreadful event in our history.

May you rest peacefully in God's loving arms through all eternity, Officer Tippit. It's truly an honor to be able to post this message to you, and I would be thrilled if you and my friend, Deputy Sheriff Billy Walls, could be available to escort me through Heaven's gates when God chooses to call me Home.

Your selfless act of heroism will always be appreciated, and you will never be forgotten.

Susan Prater
Kentuckian

You will Remain in my prayers from now on !!!

Mr&Mrs.James &Jena Sims
dallas

When officer Tippit left his family that day little did he know that less than two hours later he would be lying dead on Tenth Street.

On the day the world remembers (11 - 22 - 63) it can be easy to forget the guy who very few remember. This man was Officer J.D. Tippit , rank of patrolman with the southwest patrol operations (Oak Cliff) substation, second platoon, Dallas police.

When the voice of "Hello? police operator" burst onto the police radio, J.D. had already left this earth, the victim of a shooting.

Now....almost forty years later , we forget him, sweep him under the rug and fobb him off.

Let us be reminded that 180 police officers are killed in the line of duty every year....so why make this any different.

LET US REMEMBER J.D. TIPPIT, HIS LIFE, TIMES AND GOOD DEEDS THAT DID FROM JULY 28 1952 UNTIL 1:15P.M. ON NOVEMBER 22ND 1963.

Because after all this shy country boy turned peace officer is America's Forgotten Hero.

Lest We Forget.

Ben Hoffman
Dallas PD