Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I was a week away from graduating from the academy when you were murdered. Your funeral was also the first Officers funeral I attended and I remember how cold and sad that day was.

December 23, 2005

Not forgotten.

I recall 12/22/99 and the days that followed all too vividly.

With respect and gratitude,
Patty

Patricia Mielke

December 22, 2005

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies....

Rest in peace, hero.

December 22, 2004

Rest in peace officer, while your watch is over, ours continues. On behalf of the men and women of the Virginia State Police, our condolences.

Senior Trooper
Virginia State Police

December 22, 2003

Purely by accident last August I met John at the Holyoke Court house while waiting for a friend. We struck up a conversation and I told him of my goals in the area of criminal justice and how I wished to be a Child Abuse investigator. John told me that he could help me set my goals and make sure that I took the necessary courses that would best benefit me and those I would help in my endeavors. I walked away that day feeling like I knew this man my entire life. He was just that kind of human being. I had talked to John several times after that. The day he died so did apart of America. The loss of an officer does not end with just that community but as a nation as a whole.John's funeral was sureal. Unlike anything that I had ever seen before. I want to remember John as a happy go lucky man who in my view was loved by all. John was a happy man and was planning on building a life with his beloved. John not left behind his child, mother and his girl friend, he left behind officers who knew so well, and his death touched the hearts of thousands. I know that he impacted my heart. God Bless you John. I know that you now walk with God in the hallowed halls of Heaven. Your friend -Janet-

Janet Finch Hoffman
Criminal Justice Student

Dear John,

I have struggled for months with what to write.  I wish I had the pleasure of meeting you.  I am convinced that  angels do exist.  I am sure you are one, and smile when I think you and Brian on Heaven P.D together. Thank you for Andy's friendship.  You angels knew what you were doing when you sent me one here on Earth.  I am forever grateful to law enforcement, the fallen, and the legacy you leave behind.

With love, Carolyn

Prayer for Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of you peace.

Where there is hatred... let me sow love.

Where there is injury... pardon.

Where there is doubt... faith.

Where there is despair... hope.

Where there is darkness... light.

Where there is sadness... joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled... as to console,

to be understood... as to understand,

to be loved... as to love,

for

It is in giving... that we receive,

It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned,

It is in dying... that we are born to eternal life.

Carolyn A. Aselton

I NEVER KNEW JOHN...BUT I AM A POLICE OFFICER IN A NEIGHBORING CITY.  MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL THE OFFICERS IN HOLYOKE.  HIS DEATH AFFECTS US ALL.  BE SAFE AND GOD BLESS.

Anonymous

I still can't believe you are gone.  I expect you to pass me in the hallway as you end your tour and mine begins, as so many times in the past. You were ripped from our lives in the prime of your life, but it was not in vain.  Today the badge upon my chest means a little more, it is now a badge of honor.  A badge I am proud of wearing, because it represents what you stood for, and what you will always be, a hero.  God bless john, I will always miss you and never forget you.

Ofc. Philip J. McKay Jr.
Holyoke PD

J.D.

I remember the mornings so well. All you would hear is "Dispatch send the dogwatch home Johnny's here (Car #4) I gave Johnny the nickname "J.D.". Every morning I see him I would say out loud "J.D." and he would respond by saying "is in the House".

Johnny rest in peace and Gob Bless you.

Det. Emil Morales
Holyoke

John had a great sense of humor. While working the dogwatch, John had gotten a new car. We went to the park and got a dozen pigeons to place inside his car. In the morning John thought it was so funny that he had to share it with his two children so he drove home with the pigeons in the car (just to hear his kids laugh)!!! (I don't think he ever wore that particular uniform again.)

This unique individual will be sorely missed by all

Anonymous

John,

The only one with a "Mountain Park" bumper sticker.

The one who tore the filters off his cigarette.

The one who used that little knife to scatch his hopeful retirement.

The one who would tell about his fishing adventures with "Jugger".

The one who could put a smile on anyones face.

The one who did his final tour of duty 12/22/1999.

The mornings are quiet now.

No longer do we hear...

"Johnny's in............Send the Dogwatch home."

Ptlm. Jeff Joniec
Holyoke Police

I just want to stress my gratitude for this hero. We will not forget the sacrafice that he has made for a brother in need. 21 years on the job, and it ends like this, it just makes me sick. This hero volunteered to back up a fellow Officer, even though he did not have to, he did. Then some punk killed him. May the world remember Patrolman DiNapoli as a hero of Justice. A Saint. Lets all remember those who fell for us. God Bless to his Children, and let it be known that your Father, was and will always be a hero in our hearts. Very Sincerely,

Dir. Gary Wolter
International MP K-9 Association

I'm sickened by the news that I heard today. I just put my Honor Guard uniform in the dry cleaners yesterday after coming from a Wareham P.D Officers funeral on friday. I attended the funeral for the six worcester fireman the friday before that. I now will attend the third funeral in two weeks once the arrangements are made for our brother. You are a hero. I will pray for you and your family at this holiday season and forever more. "May god bless the Peacemakers, for they are are guiding light". Rest in peace brother.

Officer Brian T. Lakin
HUPD 12-22-1999

It is difficult to find the words that express the loss that we have endured. There isn't a day gone by that your name is mentioned, or a story told about you w/ great pride and admiration. I am very proud to have known you and I considered you a friend. You will be missed. Your memory will continue and you will always be known as one of the best Holyoke Police Officers of our time. Rest well my friend. You will always be in our hearts.

Ptl Larry Cournoyer
Holyoke Police Dept

It's been 3 years since your brave live line was taken. But not forgotten. I remember you as a young gunhoe rookie. You did me a few wonderful deeds for a few years. And even as your life was cut way too short before your time. You did GREAT things for many. LOVED & MISSED.
a friend for life. So happy to hear that your son has joined the brave.

Doria gervais

It's taken me three years to come up with what I want to say. Officer DiNapoli's furneral was the first Police Furneral that I had ever been to. I was only an Officer for eleven months when Officer DiNapoli was killed. I remember the day of his funernal like it just happened. That is a day that I will never forget. It was a day when Officers from all different agencies came to honor and remember a hero who was killed just doing what he was paid to do. That day will stay with me forever. It was cold and we all stood outside of the Police Station waiting to march. When we started to march it was like nothing that I had ever seen. We marched down through what I would call a rough section of town down to the Church. As we stood outside listening to the service I began to cry. Still, when I read these reflections my eyes become watery. God Bless you John DiNapoli and your family.

Officer Joshua S Harris
Cummington Police Dept

THE POLICEMAN’S LAST ROLE CALL

THE POLICEMAN STOOD AND FACED HIS GOD, WHICH MUST ALWAYS COME TO PASS. HE HOPED HIS SHOES WERE SHINING, JUST AS BRIGHTLY AS HIS BRASS. "STEP FORWARD NOW, POLICEMAN. HOW SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU? HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER CHEEK? TO MY CHURCH HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE?"

THE POLICEMAN SQUARED his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain’t. Because those of us who carry badges can’t always be a Saint. I’ve had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough, and sometimes I’ve been violent because the streets are awfully tough. But I never took a penny that wasn’t mine to keep, though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I’ve wept many unmanly tears. I know I don’t deserve a place among the people here, they never wanted me around except to calm their fear. If you’ve a place for me Lord, it needn’t be so grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don’t, I’ll understand."


There was silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod. As the policeman waited quietly, for the judgement of his God. "Step forward now, policeman, you’ve borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven’s streets, you’ve done your time in hell."

Author Unknown

Rest in peace brother

Rusty Redican
L.A.P.D. formally Chelmsford, Ma Police Dept