Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Woods,
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 Yonkers. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

September 22, 2024

This time of the year i think of men who were heroes to me growing up. Patrolman Woods was one such man .God Bless the children of Patrolman WOODS.

Bob Wilson

November 24, 2021

Rest in peace and always know that your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 22, 2020

My name is Sonia Gomez a Yonkers Police Investigator may you Rest In Peace never forgotten.

Sonia Gomez Investigator 1176
Yonkers Police

August 20, 2020

My father Robert Wilson was the partner of Harold Woods AKA woodsy.I will never forget the look on my fathers face when he got the call.I have fond memories of Mr Woods and his children who my family played and sometimes vacationed in the country with.I hope the boys are doing well and the mother also.God bless the family of Patrolmen Harold Woods.

Robert Wilson
son

January 30, 2020

I just moments ago was sharing this story with my wife. I was ten years old, my father was also a Yonkers Officer (Philip Pizzola). It rocked the entire community and us with it. In a way, if he is still in peoples hearts and minds, he will always be alive. Much love to YPD and all who protect and serve.

Michael Peter Pizzola
Yonkers Police Dept son

December 28, 2019

Rest in peace Officer Woods.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 4, 2019

I worked at Yonkers General ER back then I knew Harold. Many times when my Mom and I walked to the hospital in snow storms he would give us a ride to work. We were stunned and heartbroken that day in the ER when we heard the news. What really stood out was the look on the faces of his Police brothers coming to ER that day. God Bless all the Police and Firefighters who protect us daily.

Barbara Wright Gardella
Yonkers General Hospital ER

March 5, 2015

I was young and I didn't know Harry, he was my dad's cousin, but I have never forgotten how the sorrow affected my dad and grandparents. In the shadow of current events my mind returned to that day and in my prayers for the fallen I have included Harry and his family.

God Bless the the men and women who hold the thin blue line.
12/22/2014

Jack Mahoney

December 22, 2014

I am Harry's granddaughter. I never met him, but the 22 of september is one of the hardest days of the year for me. I want to thank everyone for their kind words and prayers. My grandmother, Dorothy (my name also), is well and my father and Uncles are also well. The family has grown so much. My Grandfather even has a Great Granddaughter now. The loss we suffered when he was taken from us is still felt to this day. There is a huge void in my family that only he could fill. Again, thank you all so much for your kind words.

I love you Grandpa, may you rest in peace. May your legacy continue and may your memory be passed down through out our family.

Dorothy Woods
Granddaughter

September 23, 2013

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

Robyn Wilkes

September 20, 2013

Gone but never forgotten ! Loving kind cousin to me . Wonderful husband to Dorothy and loving father to his sons .. I know he is watching over them.

Betsy Walsh O'Gorman
Cousin Betsy Walsh

February 11, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 38th 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 diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace

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

September 22, 2012

Hey Harry - I met you when I was just a teenager barely 14 yrs. of age and you worked in the Radio Room and I used to hang out in the building with a friend. Her mom and dad used to do the cleaning and we used to tag along and sort of help, but found ourselves hanging out in the Radio Room and with you guys because we thought that was more exciting. You put up with so much from us, all the questions, but always with a chuckle and a sense of humor.

I remember hearing about you being shot during the early morning hours when I heard a Police radio transmission chirping outside my bedroom window. I cried that you would pull through, but that was not meant to be and I cried as I heard you had died.

I will never forget that day and your funeral. In 1976 I started working as a civilian, in that same building you used to work, and not a day did not go by when I entered it or used the elevator and was in the Radio Room that I did not think of you.

In 1989 I became a Police Officer and thought of you on that day, with a little misgiving as to what lay ahead for me but knowing that you would be watching all over us.

Forever in my thoughts and prayers. What a wonderful man you were and I am pretty sure that your sons carry on your legacy.

Rest in peace dear brother and keep a safe watch over the members of the Yonkers Police Department.

PO Maria O'Donnell (Retired)
Yonkers Police Dept. - Co-Worker

April 4, 2010

I was a thirteen year old Yonkers resident on the day you made the ultimate scarifice...I remember the shock and sadness in our house upon hearing the news...my family shopped at that A&P quite often...in the years afterward, as an altar boy at Yonkers' Christ the King Church, I remember Father (later Monsignor) John Foley putting on vestments that had been donated to the church in your honor...in 1978, I started working at that A&P and often thought of you...rest in peace..

Patrick Mc Nelis

October 6, 2009

Your legacy contiues with your children and their children and how proud they must be for having you as part of them.

Anonymous

January 13, 2009

As my career's end is coming closer, I decided to check and find those who had lost their lives during the year that I was hired. While it's been many years since your passing, I'm sure those you left behind and those whom with you served with distinction have kept you alive in their memories. Thank you for your service and for looking out for us who continue in our chosen profession. Rest in peace Officer Woods.

Sgt. Robert Mau Sr.
PD Joliet IL

December 19, 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 26, 2007

Merry Christmas Brother, you are gone but never forgotten

PO William Pataky # 935
Yonkers New York Police

December 25, 2007

WELL SIR THE DATE IS JULY 4TH 2006 JUST AROUND 31 YEARS AGO BAD THINGS HAPPENED BUT NONETHELESS YOUR SON TODD I DO NOT KNOW YOUR SON TERRY I DONT KNOW SO WELL AND AS FOR YOUR ELDEST BOY TIMOTHY I THINK HE REALLY DOES NOT LIKE ME BUT PROBALY CAUSE IAM WITH HIS DAUGHTER FOR 18 MONTHS NOW AND SHE IS DADDYS LITTLE GIRL IAM TAKING VERY GOOD CARE OF HER I TREAST HER LIKE A PRINCESS
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AS WE ALL KNOW GOD HANDLES IT ALL IN THE END BUT THIS IS MY OPPINION ONLY MY THOUGHTS
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P.S. SIR I HOPE I CATCH JONATHAN DAVIS BECAUSE HE DESERVES TO DIE NOW AS FOR STANLEY PERKINS HE DIED IN JAIL/prison AND I DO HOPE HE SUFFERED LIKE YOU DID AND YOUR 3 SONS ARE VERY GOOD DAds to there kids R.I.P. H.L.W. ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS AND OUR PRAYS

soon to be army
your would be grand son in law

July 4, 2006

Thank you Officer Woods..I was working up the street from that A&P and I remember that day very clearly. You have done your job and done it well and you paid the ultimate price. As with all Law Enforecment Officers my prayers are with you all.
Sister of Fallen Officer Gary D. Pagano New Rochelle PD
EOW 9/14/1982

June 5, 2006

I worked the sector where that A@P is for a few years and everytime I pass it or am in there I think about the sacrafice you made in defense of others. You truly are one of Yonkers Finest and we will never forget you. Please keep watch over and keep us safe. God Bless you brother Lest WE Forget

PO William Pataky
Yonkers Police

May 19, 2006

Because you are gone, does not mean you are forgotten. I was a boy when i heard the news and i remember the newspaper stories. You can rest in peace, you are not forgotten!

anonymous
nypd

May 3, 2006

Hey Harry! We worked together in the radio car back in the 1960's and were friends. You were 4 on the Sgt's list when you were shot. You would have made a great boss. You were one of the most well liked guys on our job. As you surely know, your wife & sons are fine. I've spoken to Dorothy many times and she misses you. As do your sons. They have grown up to be fine men. I'm sure you are proud of them. One looks as you did on that fateful day. Well,I believe in my heart that you are watching over us and, as such, you know that I will never forget you, nor will our department. I think of you often my friend. God bless.

Deputy Chief George Rutledge - Ret
Yonkers NY Police Dept

December 22, 2005

RIP officer.

PO
NYPD

October 31, 2005