Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To Deputy James Brian Collins and his loved ones:

On this the seventh anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, James. I am so humbled by your valor and courage.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service James gave to his community and the citizens of North Carolina, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 26, 2001.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05
(Larry and I are proud TarHeels)

Phyllis Loya
mother of Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

September 26, 2008

Hey jamie i was just sittin around thinking about the old days we had some fun together this has been one of the hardest things ive ever had to deal with but i know you are in a better place looking down on all your fella bladen people ill never forget that night we got in that wreck on the east end it was something else but looking back on it it was something to laugh about you wrecking your new car but the thing i think about most was you calling me the next morning and checking on me i can honestly say you were a true friend that i will miss forever but we will see each other again my friend

jimmy2

September 25, 2008

Hey old friend. You have been on my mind for the last few days for various reasons. Not that I could or would EVER forget you but it seems that at times that things pop up all around me that bring you and all the memories we made flooding back to me. It seems as if the pain of missing you will never go away. Things here keep changing and moving on but missing you is constant and still hurts. I know you are at peace and send us reminders all the time that you are well and safe and are watching over us all, I know it's a big job and nobody could do it any better than you. Keep up the good work buddy. Until we can look each other in the eye, face to face know that you are still loved and missed very much. Later my friend.

Anonymous

September 9, 2008

Jamie, I can remeber when You first started into your law career with Whiteville Police Department. You were so much full of energy and just loving the moment. I was working that nite buddy patroling 211 thinking that the chase would come through Bladenboro. The chase continues on into E-Town and the message that comes across the radio made me pull over and stop. Central need rescue officer down. I just saw you that nite and we talked for awhile about the incident on 9-11 in NY and about Brian Ramey. Jamie you served with pride and justice. I sure miss you my friend and when we meet again we'll catch up.

Ptm. Michael Adkins
Chadbourn Police Deopartment

May 17, 2008

The best times of my law enforcement career to date were with you and the guys in Bladen County. I am proud of the work that we all did and, sometimes wish that I could turn back the clock. God Bless You.

Sergeant Troy W. Pope
North Carolina State Highway Patrol

April 29, 2008

Still missing you buddy....wishing I had 3 wishes so I (and a lot of other people) see you right in front of me again! I can still remember what your voice sounds like but would love to hear it in person. I know its selfish but all of us are entitled to be selfish once in a while. If a wish could be granted and you be here on earth with us for a while I'm not sure that I could get thru the pain of letting you go again, but at this point just about anything would be worth seeing you again. There's no doubt in my mind or heart that you are right where you belong, it's just that I still miss you sooooooooo much! I still keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers and I know when I get scared and then feel that safe feeling go thru me that it's you watching over me. Keep up the wonderful job. I look forward to seeing you my friend.

April 24, 2008

I remember your smile and your laughter. I would love to be able to see your eyes sparkle when you cut up or tease. Happy Birthday! We planted a tree today in your memory. We still miss you with all our hearts. How we would love to have you here to give you a great big hug.

April 22, 2008

I've read every reflection for Deputy Collins. I am honored and humbled to pay tribute to such a great man. May God grant peace and strength to his family and co-workers, who obviously continue to love and miss him even though almost seven years have passed.

April 7, 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 26, 2007

Remembering your sacrifice- God Bless you brother-

Officer B.Werner
Frisco Police Department - TX

September 26, 2007

Jamie,

I miss you bud.i didn,t think i would make it in law enforcement this long without you by my side.But I know you are looking out for me from up above.Man we sure went through alot together.From our little arguments in high school to be in seperable both doing the job that we love so much.You tought me alot about life and also about law enforcement.As we go through life friends come and go but the true friends are always there for you no matter what,Jamie no one can ever doubt that you were a true friend to me and everyone you called a friend.well im still trying to do the job but it aint easy.you will always be in my heart and on my mind and well meet again in the wonderful place called heaven.

love you man

J l Guyton
EPD

April 23, 2007

Your entire law enforcement family remembers you today. Please watch over us as we carry on your work.

Det. Emilio D'Addio
N.Y.P.D.

September 26, 2006

Well old frined it's been 5 years today and they say it all gets easier as time goes by, well they were wrong. I was awake this morning at 2:00 a.m. the same time the phone rang 5 years ago to tell me you were at BCH and it did'nt look good. All I could think was not Jamie he's 10 foot tall and wall to wall. It's how I'll always remember you. I still miss you boy and think of you often. I still wish you were here to make me laugh at the crazy things that happen in this world. I know you are here in our hearts, minds and in spirit but sometimes that's just not good enough. It's selfish of me to want you back here to brighten all our lives but that's just me. I know the job you are doing up there is well done but every once in a while I would like to look up and see you coming down the road grinning and acting a fool! I love ya and miss ya so much. Keep watching over us and keeping us safe. Soon we will get to laugh and cut up again the way we always did, until then I'll have to settle for all the good memories we all made together with you.

September 26, 2006

JAMIE, JUST WANTED TO SAY TO YOU THAT YOU ARE MISSED AND I THINK OF YOU OFTEN, PLEASE! TELL THE ANGLES THAT YOU HANG OUT WITH, THANKYOU, FOR WATCHING OVER US. GOD SPEED JAMIE

ERIC L. BRYAN
BLADEN CO. SHERIFF'S DEPT.

July 6, 2006

Jamie,

Still thinking about you after all these years, and remembering the fun times we had back in the day. It's probably a good thing that we have only memories and not pictures of all of us from back then. Even if I haven't seen you in forever, you are still missed and you are still in my thoughts as well as in the thoughts of so many of your friends. Jennifer, Elizabeth, & I still talk about you. Hopefully some day we'll get to share some of those memories with your boys. Hope your mom & dad & Chad & Tiffany & the rest of your family have found some type of peace. You are loved.

Aimee Clark Carlen
Friend

May 16, 2006

Jamie
It has been 4 years since you left us and still this missing you has not eased up any. Our lives have continued on but it still feels empty here in Bladen County without you. I look back on these reflections and my heart breaks all over again. I can't help but believe that if you were still here some of our lives wouldn't have jumped so far off track. I'm sure that most of us put on a show to convience everyone else that life is just peachy, but you know different, don't you? There are some of us that I know you would give a good swift kick in the butt for the things we are doing,I guess we all forget just how precious and short life is because we have it right here in front of us each day. You are still an inspiration to me and I know I fall short of what you always wanted to see me achieve but I'm still working on it. Just know that we still love and miss you very much.

January 25, 2006

To the family and friends of Sheriff James Collins and his fellow officers with the Bladen County Sheriff's Department:

On behalf of our entire family, we wish to extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Deputy Collins was so tragically killed.
To Deputy Colllns, it has been four years since you were killed, but you are not forgotten. Your valor and bravery will be forever remembered.

In reading the reflections about you, it is obvious that you well loved by so many people; a dedicated father, husband, and son and beloved family member and friend; and so well respected by your peers.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Deputy Collins gave to his community and the citizens of North Carolina, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 26, 2001.

Phyllls Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05. (Larry and I are NC natives also)

September 26, 2005

YESTERDAY IS HISTORY, TOMORROW IS A MYSTERY AND TODAY IS A GIFT.

REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND. I SALUTE YOU! MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU, YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COWORKERS. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. A TRUE HERO INDEED.

I HAVE READ EVERY REFLECTION LEFT FOR THIS FINE YOUNG MAN AND DEPUTY. IT IS OBVIOUS HE WAS MUCH LOVED AND RESPECTED. THE TEARS ARE STILL STREAMING DOWN MY CHEEKS.
TO HIS WIFE AND PARENTS, MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR TWO SONS. I HOPE YOU CAN FEEL SOME SENSE OF SATISFACTION KNOWING THAT NOT ONLY YOUR LOCAL PEOPLE GRIEVE, BUT PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. YOU SHOULD BE PROUD TO KNOW THAT YOUR HUSBAND AND SON WAS A FINE PERSON AND A HERO. HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. HE GAVE HIS LIFE PROTECTING "ALL" OF US FROM EVIL.
YOU TAKE GOOD CARE AND KNOW THAT I WILL PRAY FOR YOU AND YOUR BOYS. THANK YOU FOR SHARING JAMIE WITH US ALL.

JIM SWEENEY
A FRIEND TO ALL POLICE OFFICERS

August 15, 2005

After reading all of the reflections left here for Jamie, it's obvious he was so very much loved by all of his co-workers. To his family, we will remember you all in our prayers, especially tomorrow, the 26th of September, three years anniversary of Jamie's death. God's peace be with all of you.

Michigan Resident

September 25, 2004

It has taken me almost three years to write this because I was not sure what I wanted to say. I never had the chance to work with Jamie but I've known him practically all his life. Not long ago I was looking at some pictures that were taken when all of our families went to Bay Tree on Sundays to ski. Jamie was probably not much older than his two boys,and I can see him in them now. He will live forever in them. Jamie is missed everyday that rolls around because no matter where you saw him, he was always the same. Like I read in another officer's reflection "the world is missing a beautiful soul but, heaven has another bright, shining star". Jamie, you will always be "Ten feet tall and bulletproof" to us.

Dispatcher Penny Perkins
Bladen County Sheriff's Department

September 4, 2004

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 5, 2004

"The wings ain't anything but a uniform that's all. When they (angels) are in the field so to speak, they always wear them."
Taken from Tom Sawyer written by Mark Twain

In memory of Jamie ...
September 26, 2003

Anonymous

September 26, 2003

I have known Jamie all my life. Our mothers worked together at the same post office in Clarkton for years.
I just can not believe he is gone. I remember when I was with Elizabethtown P.D. and Jamie was interested in Law Enforcement. I knew he would be a great officer and he always will be. Jamie had the flavor alot of officers never get to experience. Always a keen eye and an awesome sence of smell for the job. I think of you often Jamie. We will never forget you you and look foward to seeing you on the other side. God Bless the Collins Family.

Sgt. Tommy Butler
Millersville TN Police

Rest in peace brother.

Police Officer
Denver Police Department

Jamie was a great office friend and co-worker. I will truly miss his smile, laughter and personality. As with all of our fallen brothers and sisters, this loss is a loss that we all must carry.

Jamie you take care and we will be there soon.;)

Anonymous