Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Today marks 25 years since a coward took your life and it somehow seems like yesterday. I think of Sabrina and the kids often and hope that they have found a way to move forward, supporting each other, and are able to enjoy life, while also continuing to cherish what you meant to them as a husband and a father. A day never went by during the academy that you weren’t sharing stories of your two sons and daughter and how proud you were to be their father.

Sadly today, another OPD brother in blue (Tuan Le) was laid to rest after a coward took his life. I know you along with other OPD brothers who have joined you will be there to greet him at the pearly gates.

Rest in peace James “Jimi” Williams.

141 Academy Classmate
OPD

January 10, 2024

Officer Williams,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Oakland. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

January 10, 2024

I learned of your passing while watching a documentary about morticians education. The student attended your funeral. It struck me. You’re a stranger to me, to eachother, but Your family’s pain at your senseless loss of life led me to research who you were. In 99 I was merely 17. Just graduated. Thinking I knew all there was to know about life. And here you were thousands of miles away.…a family, a career. Stolen. I hope the Man who stole you away from your family has somehow at least honored your memory by becoming a changed human. To your Wife..my heart still goes out to you all these years later. To your Daughters…may their children never know the same pain & loss.

S.Oleniuk
N/A

December 14, 2022

Officer Williams,
On today, the 21st anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Oakland. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 10, 2020

Officer Williams (Jimmy) was my neighbor, and a coworker at Casino San Pablo, until he was waiting to get hired on at OPD. He was an officer in Louisiana before he moved here. Jimmy was a great guy, and loved his beautiful wife and children more than words can say. I’m still heartbroken, and every time I go past the overpass, I say a prayer for his family. I just can’t believe it’s been 20 years...,,,

Erica Guzman
Coworker and neighbor

November 15, 2019

I had relatives in Oakland. Jimmy & Gene Williams, rothers.
Birth Mother Dorothy Williams Miller. Second husband Al Miller.
Dorothy was my Mothers sister.
Lila Bracken, San Rafael, CA 07/24/2019

Lila Jane Bracken

July 24, 2019

I am the chauffeur that drove his wife Sabrina and children to the funeral and re-pass dinner. I spent 10 hours with his lovely family. I was also on the freeway in Oakland right behind the shooting the night he was killed. Over the years I had several opportunities to be with Mrs. Williams. My heart will ever be connected to the William family. A day I will never forget!

Collette Magurno
Paramount Royal Limousine

May 27, 2019

I cannot believe it has been 20years since that terrible day. When we came to work that next morning we were in shock. RIP James.

John Cave retired Officer
Oakland PD

January 11, 2019

20 years and 2 million tears ago.
Stiil tastes like yesterday

Officer Jim Kelly SFPD (ret)
Former OPD

January 9, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service. May the coward who took your life suffer and rot.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

January 10, 2018

Fortunately, most will never experience the Pure Evil that some of us experience first-hand while serving within law enforcement.

This week marks another anniversary (sic) of the Jonestown, Guyana Massacre. Sadly, apparently, the Pure Evil from that site returned to the Bay Area.

May You Rest-In-Peace, Brah.

Michael B. Parlor

November 19, 2017

A day does not go by where I don't think about you brother. You words helped me the and now. Rest in Peace Brother

Pinole PD #287

April 4, 2015

My name is Recruit Felicia Zamora; I am currently in the Sheriffs academy as a recruit for Inglewood Police Department in southern California. As a new recruit who has only been in for a few weeks, reading a story like this is an eye opener as to how important it is to be aware of your surroundings. I am sorry for this families loss. No child should have to grow up without their parents, especially at the hands of a ruthless coward like this shooter was.
I will remember throughout my career what I had the honor to read tonight.

RIP Officer Williams

Recruit Zamora
Inglewood Police Dept

March 28, 2014

Officer James Williams, Jr. is my father. I was 4 years old when he was killed, but a single day does not pass where I do not think of him. I look at my mother, my brothers who look just like him, and in the mirror to remind me he is still with us. I am in college now writing a speech about officers killed in the Line of Duty trying to think of a way to not shed a tear when I present it. Seeing all of your beautiful words about my dad make me feel so proud to be his daughter. I know he was an incredible man who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you all.

Arriana Williams
Daughter

March 19, 2014

I worked with Jimmy when he was with the New Orleans Police Department. We worked together in the 7th District.
I have since retired after 28 years and living in Northern California.
He was a really good officer and a well respected police officer.
This is very sad to have happened to him.
My prayers to his wife and children

Alfred Wilson

January 21, 2014

Dear Sabrina,
Jimi and I worked the same shift at the Casino. We lived in the same apartment complex on Bayside. I have often wondered how and what you and your children are doing since his passing. Jimi impacted my life and was the major factor in me not pursuing a career in law enforcement as a single mother. So strange I came to this sight today and saw your comment. I was just speaking to my husband about Jimi and googled his name and here I am. I have left my contact information if you care to contact me....God Bless you and your children.

Stephanie Thompson -Thomas
friend and former co worker @ Casino San Pablo

September 4, 2012

I am moved by the messages left in remembrance of my husband Jimi. He was truly a wonderful husband and father. He loved his job and his family very much. I can not believe that 13 years have passed until I look at our children. In January of 1999 they were 10, 5 & 4. I thought then the hardest day of my life was telling them that their father was never coming home again. I now know that the hardest day of my life is "every" day. We have learned how to exist without him but the pain of his loss never goes away. My daily prayers are for each officer and their families every day that they never know the loss of their loved one. I miss him every second of every day and my comfort is knowing that one day I'll see him again. Thank you to everyone once again for your kind words and well wishes.

Sabrina Maria Williams
Wife of Fallen Officer James Williams, Jr. OPD

April 20, 2012

Every year since 2009 I have made the blue ribbons with the 51 names of the Oakland Police Officers who have died in the line of duty. It is my honor to do this for the fallen officers. The ribbons hang on a tree outside the Warehouse Bar and Grill in Oakland, California for all to see the sacrifice they have made to keep us safe. God bless you all and rest in peace.

A grateful citizen

February 24, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Williams. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 16, 2012

I remember you Jimmy, I can hardly believe that it has been so long since you have been gone. I wonder if anyone was even aware that the person who shot you was someone who had survived the Jonestown Masacre. Years later and good people like you still pay the price for that insanity.

Rest in Peace Buddy....you are not forgotten......

G. B.
NOPD

December 23, 2010

Jimmie was my partner for a while in the 7th District, New Orleans Police Department. He was a good and fair police officer. He was funny and always in a good mood, probably because of his family. He talked about them all the time. His wife was very nice and they were a beautiful family. I think about Jimmie and his family often. I hope they are doing well. I know what she's going through. I am so sorry. What a great loss.

Former PO IV Elizabeth Cavaliere
New Orleans Police Department

July 8, 2010

My Dearest Family and Friends

Somethings I'd like to say but first of all to let you know that I arrived okay.

I'm writing this from Heaven where I dwell with Our Lord above. where there's no more tears or sadness just eternal Love. Please don't be unhappy because I'm out of sight, remember that I'm with you every morning,noon and Night.

The Day I had to leave you when my Life on earth was through God picked me up and hugged me and He said I welcome you.
It's good to have you back again, You were missed while you were gone. As for your Dearest Family they'll be here later on.
I need you here so badly as part of my big plan. There's so much we have to do to help our Moral Man.
Then God gave me a list of things that He wished for me to do, and foremost on that list of mine is to watch and care for you.
I'll be beside you everyday and through out the years, And when your sad. I'm standing there to wipe away your tears.
When You lie in bed at night the day's chores put to flight God and I are close you in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on Earth and all the loving years, because your only human they are bound to bring you tears.

Please don't be afraid to cry, it does relieve the pain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned, But if I were to tell you You wouldn't understand.One thing is for certain, though my life on Earth is over I'm closer to you now than I ever was before.

To My many Friends, Trust God knows what is best.I'm still not far away from you I'm just beyond the crest.

So, If you can help somebody who is in sorrow or in pain, then you can say to God at night my day was not in vain.
And now I am contented that with my life. it was worth while,Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile.
If you meet somebody who is down and feeling low just lend a hand and pick him up as on your way you go.
When Your walking down the street and you've got me on your mind just know I'm walking in your footstep only a half a step behind.
And if you feel a gentle breeze or wind upon your face that's me just giving you a great big hug or just a soft embrace.
I will always love you from the land way up above We'll be in touch again soon
PS God sends his Love.

Anonymous

April 6, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 10th anniversary year 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 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.

Two days a memorial was held for your four brothers from Oakland. Our community is mourning their loss that happened on the darkest day in OPD history.

I am sure you are proud of how much your wife helps other survivors.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

March 30, 2009

On the 10th anniversary of Officer Williams' death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Officer Williams is not forgotten.

Sergeant Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

January 10, 2009

Ten years ago this night...I will never forget. I wonder how many times that night has saved my life by sharpening my survival skills. God Bless you, James.

Anonymous

January 9, 2009