Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Velotta,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of New York City. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 19, 2021

An American Hero, may he rest in eternal peace, God bless.

Rey. Lt. Anthony Carollo
NYPD

January 19, 2020

Rest in peace my brother.

Lieutenant Raymond Flores
NYPD

January 19, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

January 19, 2018

Jerry was, and remains, one of my best friends. We worked and played together for three . We stood side by side at the funeral of our third leg, PO John Varecha, (see John?s page here at angel for more; October 7th, 1968.) He was my best man at my wedding in February, 1969. (The marriage ended, but I will always love Jerry.) He was my campaign manager in my failed attempt to defeat another good friend of ours, Phil Caruso, for PBA delegate. (We had fun, and I wound up running Phil's future campaign, which he won, and from which he went on to be the best PBA president ever.) Jerry and his wife Helen were at my house the night before he was shot. There was a serious discussion that night, about honor and ethics. Jerry was, absolutely, more fun than any three guys, but that night was reserved for serious. We were at the time, involved in the Department's first ever strike. In fact, we were very involved. The night the strike began, the guys in Midtown North asked Jerry and me to be their spokesmen to the guys in Midtown South. We went down there and asked them to join us, because we had already walked out. MTS joined, as did the entire city. But that did not make us proud or happy. Jerry was against the strike with all his heart and integrity, as was I, because deserting his post was against everything he stood for as a cop?and as an honorable man. But Jerry was absolutely loyal to his friends, just ask me. Prophetically, Jerry survived until January 19th, the day the PBA delegates voted to end the strike. I accept that as his legacy. When the call came I was on my way to my mothe's house on Long Island. I left her number at the shop for emergencies. When I got to my mom?s, the look on her face told everything. Jerry"s been shot.!(Jerry did not die immediately, he lived enough days to tell me what happened. He also asked me to respect his wishes and never discuss what he told me with anyone, ever. I have never done so, and never will.) My mom loved him too, as did my ex-wife. In simple fact, everybody loved Jerry, and with good reason. Jerry Velotta was everything anyone could want as a friend, a cop and a man?and in all the years before or since he left us, I have met no one else in the world who could smell the difference between Oreos and Hydrox cookies from across the room?
PO Raymond Sitra
Shield #26500

PO RAYMOND SITRA
NYPD MIDTOWN NORTH

October 12, 2016

RIP Patrolman. You are not forgotten.

Police Officer (retired)
NYCPD

January 19, 2016

Patrolman Velotta, the picture that accompanies this memorial page shows a guy who seemed to enjoy life. It's incredibly tragic that that life was cut short leaving a wife, a family at home and a family at work grieving and with a hole that could never truly be filled. No doubt in my mind you have never really left them and watch over them all still and judging by your picture, I would guess from time to time you play little pranks to remind them you're still with them.

To the Officer who's gun went off. Accidents happen. I do not know the circumstances or what happened to you after, but regardless of where you are, know it was an accident. Some have no doubt forgiven you, some may not be able to, but God has.

Patrolman Velotta, on this 45th anniversary of your death I just wish to acknowledge you and thank you for your service. God Bless you and may your eternal rest always be peaceful, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

January 19, 2016

Your heroism and service is honored today, the forty-first 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 will always be honored and revered.. Your friend Raymond left such a beautiful reflection for you and I know that you are forever with him.

Rest In Peace

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

January 19, 2012

Jerry is always in my prayers as is John Varecca, Frank Bugdin,and so many others from those dangerous times.I was proud to have known and worked with these men. I had the good fortune to be the director of security of the Mirage Hotel and tried to instill in our officers the same qualities that these men exhibited. I would like to hear from anyone who I may have something in common with and am especially looking for Ray Sitra. God Bless us one and all. Mick

PO leo
73,16,18 and MTN Pcts NYPD

April 3, 2009

You are gone , but not forgotten. A tragic lose. Rest in Peace.

RETIRED DETECTIVE FRANK DEMARCO
NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

January 19, 2009

Rest in peace Officer Velotta, Gone but not forgotten...

Sergeant Chris DiToro
NYPD

January 19, 2009

I said a little prayer today for Patrolman Velotta and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes

January 15, 2009

Very simply, my best friend died today...36 years ago today. We worked and played together day and night for three years. We stood side by side at the funeral of our third leg, PO John Varecha, (see Johns page at NYPDANGELS for more; October 7th, 1968.) Jerry was my best man, (along with my wife’s best friend,) at my wedding in February, 1969. (The marriage ended, but I will always love Jerry.) He was my campaign manager in my failed attempt to defeat another good friend of ours, Phil Caruso, for PBA delegate. (We had fun, and I wound up running Phil’s campaign, which he won, and from which he went on to be the best PBA president ever.) Jerry and his wife Helen were at my house the night before he was shot. There was a serious discussion that night, about honor and ethics. Jerry was, absolutely, more fun than any three guys, but that night was reserved for serious. We were at the time, involved in the Department’s first ever strike. In fact, we were very involved. The night the strike began, the guys in Midtown North asked Jerry and me to be their spokesmen to the guys in Midtown South. We went down there and asked them to join us, because we had already walked out. MTS joined, as did the entire city. But that did not make us proud or happy. Jerry was against the strike with all his heart and integrity, as was I, because deserting his post was against everything he stood for as a cop and as an honorable man. But Jerry was absolutely loyal to his friends, just ask me. Prophetically, Jerry survived more than a week until today, January 19th, 1971; the day the PBA delegates voted to end the strike. I accept that as his legacy. When the call came I was on my way to my mother and sisters on Long Island. I left her number at the shop for emergencies. When I got to my Mom’s, the look on her face told everything. “Jerry’s been shot”. That’s how I learned about what happened, my mother told me. I tried to imagine Jerry’s family right then…I couldn’t. Jerry, as I said, did not die immediately. He lived enough days to tell me what happened. He also asked me to respect his wishes and never discuss what he told me with anyone ever. I have never done so, and never will. My mom loved him too, as did my ex-wife. In simple fact, everybody loved Jerry, and with good reason. Jerry Velotta was everything anyone could want as a friend, a cop and a man, and in all the years before or since he left us, I have met no one else in the world who could smell the difference between Oreos and Hydrox cookies from across the room…

Police Officer Raymond Sitra
Shield #26500, Midtown North.

POILCE OFFICER RAYMOND SITRA
16TH/18TH/MIDTOWN NORTH PRECINCTS...VERY CLOSE FRIEND

January 19, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 11, 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 20, 2007

Gone but not forgotten. In appreciation and with great admiration for an outstanding police officer. Thank you for the high quality of your public service to the City of New York.

Charles V. Velotta
cousin

September 3, 2006

Patrolman Velotta,
On this, the 34th anniversary of your death, I would like to say thank you for your service to the citizens of New York City.
R.I.P.
Anonymous

January 19, 2005