Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

A Part of America Died

Somebody killed a policeman today,

and a part of America died.

A piece of our country he swore to protect,

will be buried with him at his side.

The suspect that shot him will stand up in court,

with counsel demanding his rights.

While a young widowed wife has only her memories,

and long, lonely nights.

The beat that he walked was a battlefield too,

just as if he'd gone off to war.

The flag of our nation flies at half mast, and to his name they add a gold star.
Yes, someone killed a policeman today,

in your home town or mine.

While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors,

a cop put his life on the line.

Now his ghost walks a beat on a dark city street,

and he stands at each new rookies side.

He answered the call, of himself he gave all,

A Part of America Died.

Patrolman Andrew Hill
Center Twp Police department

To the family of my fallen comrade,

My name is Christopher M. Hess and I am the son of a 24-year veteran of the Easton, Pennsylvania Police Department. It is with great sadness and grief that I learn of the death of your love one. Whenever a brother or sister falls in the line of duty, it always has a profound and lasting effect on me.

Although my father was and “inside” officer for his last 14 years of service, I often feared for not only his safety, but also for the men and women who serve along side of him. Being a police officer in this day and age is the most difficult job out there. Your loved one has paid the ultimate price protecting the citizens of your community as well as the entire country from those who have now regard for humanity. Please know that there are many other people who are sharing in your pain and grief at this very moment, for when one of our own pays the ultimate price, a little bit of us passes with them. Your loved one is a hero who will never be forgotten. I realize that the pain and grief may seem too great to handle, but feel comforted by knowing that is an extended family out here who support you and are praying for your comfort, safety, and well being. Your family will always be in my family’s mind and prayers. We wish you peace in handling the rough times ahead. May God grant you a speedy closure.

Respectfully yours,

The Hess family in Easton, Pennsylvania

Chris Hess
NAPO

I NEVER KNEW YOU, BUT I DO MISS MY BROTHER IN BLUE. THE DAY THEY LAYED YOU TO REST WAS A VERY SAD DAY, BUT UPLIFTING TO SEE THE SUPPORT OF ALL OUR BROTHERS. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE, AND MAY YOUR FAMILY FIND COMFORT IN THEIR TIME OF NEED.

WE FEW,

WE HAPPY FEW,

WE BAND OF BROTHERS,

FOR HE TODAY

THAT SHEDS HIS BLOOD

WITH ME,

SHALL BE MY BROTHER.

SHAKESPEARE

PATROLMAN FRED BUSWELL
NEW CASTLE POLICE DEPT.

Myself and several other Officers went to the Memorial this year and we were all thinking of you. May you and your family know we are all still thinking about you. Rest in peace, Jimmy.

Ptlm(K-9)
Midland Police Department

You are not forgotten. Never. Sleep well, brother. God bless.

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

This week we will honor you Jimmy, you made the ultimate sacrifice, you are in our thoughts this week. Now you patrol the streets of Heaven.

PO I Travis Young
Montgomery County Police Department

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer. Tonight, March 15, 2003 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Officer James Naim who died on this date two years ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Officer Naim's sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

We are all deeply saddened about the loss of a brother officer.
We will pray for you and your family, Officer NAIM. You made the Utimate Sacrifice for your community. May they all realize the depth of the sacrifice you made
You will always be remembered..............

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

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 judgment 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."

Officer
PA State Police / BLCE

Jimmy, everyday I think of you and know that you are watching from above, protecting us. I often wonder and ask myself "why you" after all the times I stood on those same streets, Why not me?? Why someone who had their whole lives ahead of them and seemed so perfect?? But then I realize the answer..God needed an angel to look after all of us and you fit the perfect mold of an angel. We may have lost you but will meet again someday. Justice was not served but you did not die in vain...we will carry on your legacy everyday!!!! We miss you!!

Jill Foreman
Hopewell Township Police Department

to the family and friends of officer naim. i would just like to say that i am sorry for your loss. i never knew james but i have heard honorable things about him. i attended his funeral service to pay respect to him and his family. my prayers and thoughts are with you all as well as james. may he rest in peace.

Patrolman Tony Costa III
Swissvale Borough Police Dept. (pa)

When I learned of Jimmys death that night in March my heart froze and broke for Jimmys family and the officers he worked with.

One of those officers is my son who always spoke warmly of Jimmy and of what a good man he was. It hit close to home for my son and Jimmy were hired on the same night and I never imagined that he would be gunned down by cowards the way he was. Jimmy will long be remembered and spoken well of.
May He rest in Peace
Officer R.Barlett

Officer Roy Barlett
Pa.Motor Carrier Enforcement

IN HONOR OF “JIMMY”



ON A WINTER’S NIGHT, COLD AND DARK,

IN A TROUBLED PART OF TOWN,

SHOTS RANG OUT FROM A COWARD’S GUN,

AN OFFICER WAS DOWN.



WORD SPREAD FAST, THE STREETS WERE FILLED WITH PEOPLE EVERYWHERE.

A ROUTINE PATROL TURNED HORRIBLE,

BUT DID THEY REALLY CARE ?



DID THEY REALIZE THAT THE MAN FACE DOWN WAS THERE FOR THEIR OWN GOOD ?

WALKING THE BEAT TO KEEP THEM SAFE IN A DANGEROUS NEIGHBORHOOD ?



I WONDER WHAT THEY KNEW OF JIM, A GOOD MAN TRIED AND TRUE.

I MYSELF KNEW LITTLE, BUT WHAT I DID,

I WILL TELL TO YOU.



HE HAD A QUIET MANNER, AND A “FUNNY” SORT OF WAY,

HE COULD COMFORT YOU AND MAKE YOU SMILE ON ANY GIVEN DAY.



HE’D SERVE YOU IN A TIME OF NEED,

FOR I WAS ONE OF THOSE…….

A HELPFUL HAND, A FRIENDLY FACE,

ALL DRESSED IN POLICEMAN’S CLOTHES.



HE DIDN’T ASK FOR “THANK YOU'S”,

HE GAVE HIMSELF FOR FREE…….

HE DID KIND DEEDS FOR EVERYONE,

AND NOT ALONE FOR ME.



WE ALL LOST A FRIEND THAT NIGHT, I PRAY IT DOESN’T HAPPEN AGAIN…….

PUT ASIDE THE HATE, THE DRUGS, THE GUNS,

MAY HIS DEATH BE NOT IN VAIN.



RESPECT THE ONES THAT KEEP US SAFE WHEN TROUBLE COMES AROUND…….

LET NOT ANOTHER’S FATE BE SEALED LYING FACE DOWN ON THE GROUND.



I KNOW THAT’S NOT WHERE “JIMMY” IS NOW,

UPON THE GRASS SO COLD…….

FOR I SAW JESUS LIFT HIM UP TO WALK HIS STREETS OF GOLD.



NO LONGER WILL HE PATROL THE STREETS

OF DARKNESS AND OF BLIGHT…….

HE’LL WALK HIS BEAT ON HEAVEN’S STREETS,

IN PEACEFULNESS AND LIGHT.




REMEMBER WHEN YOU THINK OF JIM

WITH A HEAVY HEART FROM TIME TO TIME,

THAT SHINY NEW STAR, FAR UP IN THE SKY

IS THE BADGE OF “OFFICER NAIM”.



~THANK YOU JIMMY…….BETTY MAZZA~
~YOU ARE DEEPLY MISSED~

Citizen, Betty Mazza

Dear Jimmy,
Myself and nine other state troopers from various parts of Western Pennsylvania spent the last 14 months investigating the tragic events of March 15, 2001. I never met you, however you have changed my life forever. You should know that your killer was convicted however we will never know why the jury only found him guilty of third degree murder. He was sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison and you should know that the judge told him to his face that he would oppose any parole and see to it that he served his maximum sentence. You have a loving and caring family who we have come to know over the last few months during the trial and they are very proud of you. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of you and pray for you and your family. God Bless!!
Pennsylvania State Police Aliquippa Task Force.

Anonymous

Hero by chance.......Guardian by choice Your memory remains as we patrol the streets. GOD REST MY BROTHER

Ptlm Mark Young
Monaca Police Dept

"Blood Upon the Shield"

Blood Upon The Shield
Confrontation in an alley.
The Centurion does not yield.
But this time the good guy loses;
there is blood upon the shield.

And the mournful sounds of bagpipes
play out across the land,
drowned out by the sobs of a lonely young wife and a child too young to understand.

While the killer pleads his case in court,
the thin blue line is one man short.
And we're one step closer to society's fall;
another cop's name is engraved on the wall.

Another state funeral, with an army in blue,
and we know it could've been me and it could've been you.
We all look ahead to what the future has in store,
front line troopers in a country that's at war.

At war with itself and at war with its cops and we're
out there every day 'cause the battle never stops.
It's not the way it is on TV shows or like we learned in school; no cool music in the background,
no playing by the "rules;"

We're disillusioned warriors,
but for right we'll always strive.
We just pray that at the end of our stress-filled day
we'll get back home alive.

You stand out on the corner
ignoring the insults and the stares,
close to the point of believing that no one really cares,
when a six year-old boy walks over after watching you for awhile, reaching out to shake your hand,
on his face a friendly smile.

To him you are a hero,
a protector of our land, and he wants to learn about you,
as a cop and as a man.

And when he asks you why your badge is covered
by a black elastic band,
tell him about our Brother
A cop who made a stand.

Author Unknown

May God bless him and keep him.

Anonymous

Justice was not served my friend. You will be greatly missed on this earth. May you rest in peace.

Correctional Officer Krieger
Allegheny County Jail Pittsburgh

Rest in peace James

Anonymous

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Officer Naim. Although I did not personally know Officer Naim, I grew up in Hopewell Township and never could I have imagined that something this inhumane would happen in my hometown area. I recently began reading the Beaver County Times online and found out about Officer Naim's death and the pending trial - my mother not daring to tell me about what happened. But for spouses and children and parents of those who daily put their lives on the line, when the worst fear that we have (but never show) becomes reality, it must be made known. To properly honor the one who gave the ultimate sacrifice and comfort those who are left behind. You are not alone.

To the family - you are in my thoughts and prayers
To Officer Naim - Thank You

Melissa G
Wife of Newport News VA Officer

james, been thinking alot about you lately, rest assured that justice will be served on these scum that did this to you.

your brother

shawn

ptlm shawn young
aliquippa police dept

Although we are seperated by the Ohio River. The bond between all brothers and sisters in law enforcement shall be stronger than the bridge that spans the river and unites our towns. I remember a few occassions when our jobs had brought us together. When I look above to the sky for guidance, I know you are walking your beat in Heaven with God. Brother Jimmy, you will never be forgotten.

Patrolman Patrick Scranton
Ambridge Police Dept.

The day before he died a smiling young Officer named Jim Naim attended a one day training Seminar titled "Formula for Survival".
He and twelve other officers reviewed and discussed laws, court decisisons, policies, and tactics that would help them to better serve and protect everybody working, playing, traveling and living in their communities.
Ironically, a man who wanted to learn how to live longer and protect people better would be killed sooner, by people that he wanted to serve and protect.
Two thousand years later we're still executing Gods chosen guardians of mankind.
He only came to help.

Instructor
Pa. State Police