Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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

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

August 30, 2020

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

May 3, 2020

Jay, I can't believe it's been 20 years. I think of you often. I am honored to have had you as a friend. Miss and love you.

Kimberly Clemente

August 30, 2019

Patrolman Lesemann,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Brick Township. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

August 30, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service. Never forgotten.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

August 30, 2019

I too cannot fathom the pain and anguish the Lesamann Family is going through. Rest in peace Patrolman Lesamann. God needed you more in heaven along with your bravery, dignity and honesty.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 3, 2018

Rest in Peace my brother.

N.Y.PD. Lt. Ray Flores
Retired

August 30, 2016

Hey classmate its been two years since my last reflection but once again. Just want to say you were a Great American who would have been a great cop. But now you have a good gig with the all mighty up in heaven protection us in Earth. Keep watch over all of us!

P.O. APONTE #2473
PORT AUTHORITY POLICE NY&NJ

November 17, 2014

Thinking of you and all of your loved oness and close friends today. I know they will never let you be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

August 30, 2013

Miss you classmate, I remember teaching you how to shine your boots the previous week at the academy. Following week you were gone and join the ranks of all great one.

P.O. Aponte #2473
classmate

March 28, 2012

STILL GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN WE MISS YOU BADGE #182

Anonymous

January 19, 2011

Patrolman Lesemann- Heaven has another guardian in the sky. You were to have been a patrolman in my hometown, a place I hold dear in my heart. May God bless you and your family and as we know all too often SOME GAVE ALL BUT IT WAS FOR A NOBLE CAUSE. You were a light for justice now you are a beacon who watches over all of his comrades. Peace my brother in blue.

Sgt. Letitia M. Green
NJ Department of Corrections

March 11, 2008

Not a month goes by that I don't suddenly start thinking about your young promising career and how it ended and affected me personally. You made me proud to call you my friend and I would have enjoyed teaching you the streets. I shall never forget you,, Badge #182
JCF/#115

K9 Officer Jeff Fornarotto
Friend and colleague

January 26, 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 11, 2007

OFFICER LESEMANN, ALTHOUGH YOU SERVED ONLY 6 DAYS, I AM THANKFUL THAT YOU CHOSE TO BE A POLICE OFFICER. YOU HAVE SERVED WELL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. YOU ARE A HERO BECAUSE YOU GAVE YOUR ALL, WANTING TO SERVE AND PROTECT. MAY YOU NEVER BE FORGOTTEN FOR YOUR SACRIFICE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

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

August 30, 2007

To the family and loved ones of Patrolman John James Lesemann and his fellow officers with the Brick Township Police Department:

On this the seventh annniversary of John's tragic death, I wanted to honor and remember him today. John's professionalism and dedication will never be forgotten.

I hope that God is holding him in the sweetest part of his heart and the most gentle part of his soul. No doubt that Heaven has another hero in John, but I am so sorry you had to lose your beloved. To his parents, I too share your anquish of having lost a cherished son in a line of duty death. May you all continue to be comforted by your faith and your law enforcement family and other police survivors.

I am so sorry that John was robbed of his life so young and so tragically, but through his heroism and the profound sense of duty with which he lived his life, he made an immeasurable difference. May his spirit continue to soar and may his memory continue to inspire.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service John gave to his community and the citizens of New Jersey, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on August 30, 1999.

Phyllis L. Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD
eow 4/24/05

August 30, 2006

ON THIS ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR SACRIFICE, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND. I SALUTE YOU! I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. YOU DID NOT LOSE YOUR LIFE, YOU GAVE IT UNSELFISHLY IN SERVICE TO OTHERS. A TRUE HERO INDEED.

JIM SWEENEY
A FRIEND TO ALL PEACE OFFICERS

August 30, 2005

In loving memory of P.O. Lesemann:
My goodness, you were so very young to die of a heart attack. So
sad. You had so much of life yet to
experience. But I guess God knew
the length of your days. My sister
was taken suddenly in her late 30's
so I know what a shock this had to
have been. We honor you posthumously for your sacrifice and
for what you could have done in your
career had you only been given the
opportunity. With love from one coast of America to the other.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

August 30, 2005

Rest in peace my brother.

Police Officer
Burlington Township PD

October 15, 2004

Rest easy, brother. Though you didn't even get a chance to begin, you were taken for a greater purpose. Thank you and God bless your loved ones.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)

August 30, 2003

I can't imagine the pain your family and friends have gone through. As a NJ officers wife, I can assure you that you are in our hearts and prayers daily.

Rest in Peace and God Bless.

Anonymous

Jay, I guess you will never really know how much I love and care for you. I'm sure you knew but wish I could have told you and gotten a chance to say good-bye. I learned that life is a very valuable thing and that things can change in an instant. I miss you so much and not one day goes bye that I think about you. Thanks for being there for me and looking out for me, you were just like a brother to me. I am so lucky that I had you in my life. Love you and miss you.

Erin Hefferon