Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Detective McCain, it has been 23 years since you were taken from us. New England law enforcement continues to serve and protect and make life secure for our part of the country. I honor your 30 years of law enforcement service to the citizens of Metropolitan Boston.

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH

October 26, 2024

Detective McCain, it has been 22 years since you were taken from us. New England law enforcement has continued to thrive, learn and become safer due to the traditions and sacrifices you, your family, and many others have made for us. Thank you for your military and law enforcement service

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH

October 23, 2023

Detective McCain, it's now been 34 years since your senseless shooting and 21 years since your passing. You fought the good fight but in the end, could fight no more. God Bless you for that fight and for your years of service to the people of the Commonwealth.

May you forever Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Department

October 22, 2022

Rest in peace Detective McCain.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 20, 2020

Today, October 22, 2019, the Massachusetts State Police along with the former members of the Metropolitan Police, take a moment to honor and remember MDC Detective Joseph E. McCain on this his 18th anniversary. May he continue to rest in peace knowing that his memory, sacrifice and family have not been forgotten.

Tpr Tom Dolan (retired)
MA State Police/Metropolitan Police (Class of 1980)

October 22, 2019

Today, October 22, 2018, the Massachusetts State Police along with the former members of the Metropolitan Police, take a moment to honor and remember MDC Detective Joseph E. McCain on this his 17th anniversary. May he continue to rest in peace knowing that his memory, sacrifice and family have not been forgotten.

Tpr. Thomas E. Dolan
Massachusetts State Police

October 22, 2018

Today, October 22, 2017, the Massachusetts State Police along with the former members of the Metropolitan Police, takes a moment to honor and remember MDC Detective Joseph E. McCain on this his 16th anniversary. May he continue to rest in peace knowing that his memory, sacrifice and family have not been forgotten.

Tpr. Thomas E. Dolan
Massachusetts State Police

October 22, 2017

Today, October 22, 2016, the Massachusetts State Police along with the former members of the Metropolitan Police, takes a moment to honor and remember MDC Detective Joseph E. McCain on this his 15th anniversary. May he continue to rest in peace knowing that his memory, sacrifice and family have not been forgotten.

Tpr. Thomas E. Dolan
Mass. State Police

October 22, 2016

Joe,
Tell Leo to knock it off and may you rest in peace.

Bill McLean
M.S.P.

October 23, 2015

Joe - Today your brothers and sisters of the Massachusetts State Police along with the former members of the Metropolitan Police honor your memory today on this your 14th anniversary. May you continue to rest in peace knowing that you have not been forgotten.

Trooper Thomas E. Dolan
Massachusetts State Police

October 22, 2015

From your Brothers and Sisters of the Massachusetts State Police
and the members of the former Metropolitan Police Department, we honor your memory today on this your 12th anniversary. May you continue to rest in peace knowing that you and your family have not been forgotten.

Tpr. Thomas E. Dolan
Massachusetts State Police

October 22, 2013

You have not been forgotten. Thank you for your long and dedicated career to law enforcement. I only wish you could have enjoyed a real retirement as your reward for helping others for so long. You are a true hero and heroes never die.

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

October 22, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the eighth anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

October 22, 2009

JOE,I KNEW YOU ,I LOVED YOU AND ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU TAUGHT ME TO DO THIS JOB WITH A CODE OF ETHICS,DIGNITY,PRIDE AND A LITTLE BIT OF HUMOR! GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

F-TROOPER
MSP

October 5, 2008

HOO-RAHH Carry on Detective. You will always be Remembered.

Timothy A. Topulos
N/A

September 8, 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

November 8, 2007

Det. McCain,
On today, the 6th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Massachusetts. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

October 22, 2007

You are remembered to day and thank you Sir for your service

VanDenBerghe
NH

October 19, 2007

Detective McCain, thank you for your service to the Commonwealth with both the State Police, and of course with the Metropolitan Police. You, along with the Metropolitan Police have become a part of a great history of law enforcement in Massachusetts and you will never be forgotten.

Your courage throughout the ordeal is to be admired and mirrored. May God Bless you and may you forever rest comfortably in Heaven, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

October 22, 2006

Joe lived his life and conducted his career with honor. He was one of the best detectives to have served the citizens of Massachusetts. He was shot during a narcotics sting while attempting to save a fellow undercover officer being held hostage. His selfless act of courage at that moment
was a reflection of him as a man and a Metropolitan police officer

Joseph Catanese Metro Police/MSP Ret.
Massachusetts Metro Police/Massachusetts state Police

March 26, 2006

Trooper your contributions, and untimately your sacrifices to our job came years before my time with the department. I would just like to say thank you for leading the way. You will never be forgotten, may you rest in peace and God to forever watch over your entire family.

Semper Fi and Thank you

72nd RTT (1994 - Present)

Trooper Mark D. Robbins
Massachusetts State Police

October 11, 2004

It is hard to put into words the role Joe has played in my life. From the beginning he was Santa Claus, that came around every Christmas Eve spreading joy to my family and many other families. As I grew older our bond grew on the golf course he would always have something posative to say about my terrible game. As my father's best friend he was there for all occasions; parties, graduations and holidays. Growing up with such a prominent law enforcement influence, no doubt played a role in where I am today. Joe was a great officer, role model and friend.

From the Henry Family: You are greatly missed. Thank you for the time you spent with us.

Special Agent Michael Henry
U.S. Department of Commerce

April 23, 2004

THE TROOPERS LAST ROLL CALL ...

THE TROOPERS 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, TROOPER. HOW SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU? HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER CHEEK? TO MY CHURCH HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE?"

THE TROOPER 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 Trooper waited quietly, for the judgment of his God. "Step forward now, TROOPER, you’ve borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven’s streets, you’ve done your time in hell."


Rest in peace brother, and may God continue to look over you and your family.

PS I am the son of, John "Jack" Redican, JR., the 1989 recipient of the Trooper George L. Hanna Medal of Honor

Officer Rusty Redican
L.A.P.D. Pac/Div

December 21, 2003