Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I went to college with Jake. We were in Spanish classes together. He also used to work out at Bally's where I worked. Jake was always so nice and had a friendly smile for everyone. He was a handsome, smart, good man all the way around. He is definitely missed.

Allison Michael
Friend

May 23, 2009

RIP fine warrior in blue.

Anonymous

October 2, 2008

Officer Grossnickle, I returned from a Street Survival Seminar and I learned of your story. I can assure you now that your story is going to be told and others will know of your sacrifice. I can not think of a greater honor than learning of a brave officer such as yourself.

Trooper

June 22, 2008

Another year has passed without you, Jake. It still doesn't seem possible. I will cherish the memories we had at Cincy...... English class..... playing pool....and watching the sun set over the city. I am forever greatful that I had the chance for you to be a part of my life. You are a true inspiration.... a true hero. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about you and the impact you had on my life. Thanks for being the best friend I have ever had. You are my HERO!! Until we meet again.....

Friend
Friend

June 18, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on this anniversary.

Former N.H. Police Officer
Fauquier County, Va

May 23, 2008

Well Jake, almost 12 years later and I can still remember our last conversation like it was yesterday. Standing in front of the counter in the courthouse, joking around, you said “We keep running into each other down here, we just need to get on the same squad and be partners”. Maybe we can walk the same beat in heaven, bro.

Inv. Gavin Larremore
Tallahassee, former DPD

April 18, 2008

We drove back to the academy from lunch one sunny afternoon. You always told the raunchiest jokes. I still use the "African Barking Spider" fart joke whenever fitting. You told me as we drove that you eventually wanted to go to The Feds. I thought you'd be great as an agent: your Spanish was better than mine (and I was Spanish!) and your mind was sharp. You were so much more cut out for this stuff than I was. We agreed that day we'd both make a run for it. Someday.

I hated your funeral. I lost it. It was surreal. Myself, along with the rest of your academy mates grew up too quickly. I didn't see much sense in it all after that. I can't listen to the b-pipes without getting choked up. I still tell the story of when you and I played online video games for 12 hours straight. I thank you for being the other guy in the class who played soccer and who understood why I'm a hooligan. You were energy. You were a guarantee. You ensured that I stayed positive using only your brash approach to life. Your death hit me harder than anyone at the PD ever cared to notice. Maybe they felt like rookies didn't have the right to be sad.

It wasn't supposed to be this way for you. You were supposed to go to the feds, not me. I was the one who went to DEA for a decade. You woulda loved it there, Jason. You had just the right character and the perfect sense of humor. I'm still in the feds now, but I'm toast. You could have cheered me up from time to time. Hell, I might have stayed at the PD just for the jokes.

I think I see you some times. Here and there. I shake my tunnel vision and I see it's someone else but for that moment it was you. I like to think you're checking in with me once in a while, dropping those smelly "barking spiders" and leaving me to take the blame.

See you on the other side, J. We'll do lunch.

Special Agent Ed Sarabia (USDOLOIG)
former DPD officer and academy classmate

April 4, 2008

May God Bless you, rest your soul and keep your family well. Watch over us here in New York Brother, and rest knowing that we care and pray for you.

NYPD

February 9, 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 31, 2007

Though I didn't know Jason, I did work with his father, Larry; and I knew his grandfather, Lyle. My thoughts and prayers for his family.

Connie Mullins
Dayton PD, retired

September 21, 2007

I just learned of your death today while attending the Street Survival course. I am sorry you had to die so young and at the hands of evil. Your death was not in vain. RIP brother in blue.

Larrick

September 13, 2007

It was my honor to have known him. A man's man, I appreciated his strong faith and encouragement to me. I named my son Jake who will be 6 this year.

Chad

August 2, 2007

You will never be forgotten......nor will how much you have affected those many lives you touched.

Rest in peace.....

Michelle

July 25, 2007

A true hero never dies, Jake. You will forever live in all of our hearts. How fortunate are we all to have such a special guardian angel watching over us. You are so very sadly missed.

Friend

June 1, 2007

May God continue to comfort the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Grossnickle. Thank you for your service and dedication. You were taken too soon.
Rest in peace.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

May 23, 2007

A man remembered with love and respect never dies but continues to live on in the hearts and minds of others.May He bless you and your loved ones.Offc.Cleaver, Our Lord has given you the most special guardian angel..be safe..don't overwork him.G-d bless you, too.

May 23, 2007

We will never forget you Brother Grossnickle

Scott Sparks, Patrolman
Chesterfield County Police Dept., VA

January 24, 2007

A Hero taken way too soon. It is obvious by the reflections left that you were highly thought of by those that knew and worked with you. Although you did not have the opprotunity to work in Law Enforcment for very long, Thank you for the time spent and you will always be remembered for the way you lived and the ultimate sacrifice you gave.
GOD SPEED....

Sgt.Eddie Bounds (Retired)
Jacksonville Beach Police Department

September 27, 2006

Jake I'm sorry we never got to know each other very well. You were new, and we worked different shifts, but it seems almost every day as I was coming in, you were walking out and held the door for me so, thanks for that. You were funny and cocky, you fit in well at our district. I know you have gone to a place where the false bravado and beer drinking days of 3rd Relief are far behind you. We each fear what happened to you could happen to us too, and that's how a lot of us deal with it. I am happy you are safe now, and never will suffer again. I feel for your family, that they suffer from your loss every day, and will until they meet you again. You were probably glad to see they finally moved D3 to a different, much nicer, building. I hated using the doorway where you spent your last minutes on this earth. They should have sealed it off out of respect to you. The spectre of your killer seemed to dwell in that lot at night. I spent the evening of your death with our brothers standing vigil in that lot, consoling each other and blocking out the media as much as we could, with our backs to the cameras. I saw your blood outside our district and Rob's blood inside and out, and I'll never, ever forget the sight of that, or what you guys went through out there. I wish I could have been there for you to help in some way, maybe even prevent him from doing it. With great pride, I wear your crew number on my uniform and each day when I transfer it to my new shirt I think of you and remember your family in my prayers. I like it when people ask me about the meaning of that pin, because I get a chance to tell them about you so you aren't forgotten. Sgt. Grossnickle, you were a great sergeant and homicide detective. It makes me proud of you for your strength, but it pains me to watch you place a flower on the wreath for Jake every Police Memorial Day. I can't help it, I cry every time knowing how your heart is broken, but I can do nothing for you except share your grief. Rob (spongerob short-pants), you've had a great career and you're a good man I'm very glad you made it and I'm sure Jake is too. Jake, God bless you and your family and keep you in His care until you can be joyfully reunited with them in heaven. God bless and keep safe the Dayton PD and all Police Officers!

anonymous
Dayton PD

July 18, 2006

Jake,
your aunt reminded me this weekend that you were taken from us 10 years ago... It's hard for me to believe it's been that long...I miss your smiling face when I come to Ohio to visit ... Rest in peace little cousin.

JKH
Family

June 6, 2006

It is so hard to believe that 10 years have passed now. I too often wonder where you would be today in your life, all of the accomplishments you would have achieved, and all of the hearts you would have touched. Your time on this Earth was time well spent touching so many people's lives. You will never be forgotten for that. I can feel you all around me through the sun, the wind, and the rain....and I will treasure the day we will meet once again, my friend.

S
Friend

May 30, 2006

I can’t believe it’s been ten years. How things have changed in our world during that span of time, and it has gone by much too quickly. I’ve come to better rationalize and accept the situation and forgive. We move forward, marrying, buying homes, beginning families of our own, doing things most take for granted. I often wonder where you would be now. How these ten years would have treated you. Undoubtedly you would have had worldly success, of that I’m certain. But worldly success is not what our lives are based on, and you knew that all too well. Your work was done here, it was your time to join the Father.
I genuinely look forward to the day I’ll see you again, shake your hand and see that broad grin on your face. Until that time I will continue to keep you in my thoughts, and pray for your family and friends. I am blessed to have known you Jake, and I’m sure anyone who had met you would agree.

J
friend

May 26, 2006

On this the tenth anniversary of the end of your watch, you are still remembered. You are a hero. Rest in peace my brother.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables

May 23, 2006

Rest in Peace.May Our Lord Bless and Keep you.

May 23, 2006

As we now approach the 10th anniversary of Jake’s death, I can say that I have not made peace with this and probably never will. I’m still pissed as hell. His murder was so absolutely senseless, and there’s nothing to rage at except idiocy itself. Jake’s death affected me tremendously, and has become symbolic to me of all the senseless killing in the world.

Jake’s gentle cockiness and fun-loving spirit live on, though. I often think of him, especially when making major life decisions. I think, if Jake had another chance, would he take the easy way or go with what he really wanted? I invariably choose the latter, and thinking of Jake gives me the strength to buck the system – I’d like to think he’d be happy with that. That kid had a wonderful sense of mischief, and I try to emulate his zest for life.

I know that the cops I’m closest with on Dayton PD were also affected deeply by Jake, and we all have wounds that will never really go away. I can say that even though I’ve left I was always proud to be a Dayton cop, and a Third District cop, and guys like Jason are exactly the reason why. I’m incredibly thankful that Rob survived and continues to be a wonderful cop and family man. Jake and I had the same training officer, and I’m also thankful that his life now is much more blessed than it was ten years ago. I sometimes think that Jake is still watching over us – I definitely like to think he’s there when I’m at a kickass party! I know that he has truly lived on by the way he affected us all.

You are not forgotten, Jake. I’ll buy you a beer when I see you.

Kurt Schwarz

May 8, 2006