Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Joey was a true HERO. He was always smiling and upbeat. He was the shining star of APD academy Class #12. He was an Angel. Knowing Joey has made me a better person. I am thankful for getting to know Joey in Class #12. He will surely be missed by me and by all he touched.

Officer Dave Killinger #1680
Arlington P.D.

Joey was the type of person you would meet once, and he would have an impact on your life forever. However, I was blessed to have known him more than one time. I met Joey on a mission trip to Mexico, and the entire week was great. We had Cheerio fights at breakfast, painted his toenails in his sleep, put prunes in his workboots...Joey went swimming with us and would get into water fights with us on the worksite. Joey's days were too short, but he used them well. He befriended everyone involved with the house we were building - neighborhood kids, organization coordinators, builders...I will always remember him best in his white cowboy hat and blue scrubs, lifting huge bricks and laughing with us. After the Mexico trip Joey and I remained friends; I just always liked him, from the second I saw him. He had a great smile. I can't begin to describe what went down on June 7th. Joey was never rude to anybody, even when he had good reason to be. He was the nicest person I know. He was also hilarious and fun. I've lost my share of people in my life, but when we lost our Joey, I learned what real pain was. I am still learning, but I know that Joey would say that we can get through this. It's not right - he had so much going for him. I was talking to one of my friends who was very close to him and she said that she had realized something. She said, "We keep praying for a miracle and hoping it's a nightmare, but when it comes down to it the miracle has already happened - the miracle was that we knew him." I offer my condolences to anyone who is suffering this loss as well.

Casey

Joey was the type of person you would meet once, and he would have an impact on your life forever. However, I was blessed to have known him more than one time. I met Joey on a mission trip to Mexico, and the entire week was great. We had Cheerio fights at breakfast, painted his toenails in his sleep, put prunes in his workboots...Joey went swimming with us and would get into water fights with us on the worksite. Joey's days were too short, but he used them well. He befriended everyone involved with the house we were building - neighborhood kids, organization coordinators, builders...I will always remember him best in his white cowboy hat and blue scrubs, lifting huge bricks and laughing with us. After the Mexico trip Joey and I remained friends; I just always liked him, from the second I saw him. He had a great smile. I can't begin to describe what went down on June 7th. Joey was never rude to anybody, even when he had good reason to be. He was the nicest person I know. He was also hilarious and fun. I've lost my share of people in my life, but when we lost our Joey, I learned what real pain was. I am still learning, but I know that Joey would say that we can get through this. It's not right - he had so much going for him. I was talking to one of my friends who was very close to him and she said that she had realized something. She said, "We keep praying for a miracle and hoping it's a nightmare, but when it comes down to it the miracle has already happened - the miracle was that we knew him." I offer my condolences to anyone who is suffering this loss as well.

Casey

Joey Cushman is a role model for all. We both attended Camp Anytown in 1992 and worked together at the camp in 1995 and 2001 (about two days before his death). I witnessed firsthand the positive impact Joey had on people.

Everyone he met looked to him as a role model of how a person should act. I have not ever met a person so friendly and generous as Joey Cushman. Joey was the type of individual that would stop anything he was doing to help someone in need. I have seen people's lives change for the better as a result of being influenced by Joey Cushman. I know this because I am a better person for having known him.

Joey, I think about you every day. I am sorry I will never get to see you pilot a plane or do a ride-along in your patrol car. I will never forget you or the lessons you taught us all by the way you lived your life. Brother, you made me a better person and I will live the rest of my life honoring your memory by always striving to be a better person.

Brian Feld

Joey Cushman was a wonderful and unique individual. Joey will be missed by each and everyone who knew him. He has touched so many people's lives including my own. I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with him at Camp Anytown in 1995 and 2001. Bro, you'll always be in my heart. The things that you have done in your lifetime has better this world for eternity. Thanks for being a friend and a brother!!
Chong Lo

Chong Lo

Joey was a great person who was one of a kind and the guy that you would look for to tell a joke. He will be missed and his parents should be proud for raising such a inspirational person. As a advisor at Anytown he definately effected many students and his community.

Ruben
Anytown U.S.A.

I don't think that any words could really do Joey justice, as a police officer or as a human being. I met Joey when we were on staff together at a camp which we returned from only two days before the accident. Joey was the kind of guy who never met a stranger. He made every person he was with feel like they were the only person in the world that mattered and that they were special. He was also the kind of guy who didnt talk about things, but instead went out and did them. I have many memories with Joey that I am so very thankful for. He was not only a friend and a mentor to me but also a great example of a human being. I dont think that any of us will ever understand why this happened to Joey of all people... things like this are never suppose to happen to the good guys. I do know that he is in heaven watching over us as we continue our lives on Earth and that he is an angel doing God's work. I will miss him terribly but am grateful for having met him. And I will always carry a part of him inside me. Anytime I sing a song in circle sing or see a plane flying over camp I will be reminded of you, Joey and the amazing way in which you lived your life...

Jennifer Gilmore

I would like to express my condolences and prayers for the family and friends of Corporal Cushman. I understand how they must feel during their time of loss.
I lost a good friend and academy class mate under similar circumstances back in 73. He was shot accidently and killed by his partner (also a classmate).
Steve Hall
Terre Haute, IN

Steve Hall
Retired