Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the family and Friends of John, I just clicked on his web page and read of the awful story of how John was killed. I am sorry to read of this. I try in my own actions and words to be very pro police and officer safety minded at our department and I often stick up for us when we are attacked in the newspaper, with rebutal letters to the editor defending us from the numerous unjusitifed attacks on police officers and this profession.

Recently one of the articles I wrote about was close to during national police week so that was my topic. I wrote this for our local newspaper. It was then re-published by another 5 other newspapers and one national police magazine. I posted it here for you. I hope my words bring some type of comfort to you, to know that John is and will never be forgotten. Even know I did not know him, he still holds a specila place in my heart and mind as well as over 950,000 law enforcement officers in this country. It is because of stories like John's that gives me the fule for my fire amd is why I continue to fight for and consitently defend police officers with numerous letters and in my actions. God bless you.

Respectfully,

- Officer Paul Cotter
Lynn (MA) Police Department

www.lynnpolice.org

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PRIDE INTEGRITY & GUTS

Some of you may know my face, but not my name. Most of you have seen me around the city and some have even met me, but not always under the best of circumstances. Some of you have even spoken to me on the phone, when you called me while I was working.

Most of you have an opinion on how my job should be done, but would never take my job if it was the last one on earth. And some of you who don’t even know me, hate me just because of my job. But when I go to my job, I go to make a difference and so I can fight what everyone else fears.

When most would be running away from danger, my job requires me to run towards it. I do this in the hopes of making a difference for someone else I don’t even know. Most people say I make too much money, because my pay is published in the newspaper. But don’t think twice about hearing about another sports player sign a 20 million dollar contract for 6 months a year of playing a “game.”

Since my job’s base pay isn’t the best I must work extra to pay the bills. Including working extra shifts, on holidays and pick up side work at construction sites as well on my days off, most though still complain thinking I am greedy, but don’t they realize that I must also pay taxes? That I too also have a mortgage car payments and kids in college as well?

Don’t they understand that I am not paid for what I do, but for what I am willing to do for them? After all how can you properly compensate someone to risk their own life and face danger everyday they go to work?

And when I go to work I am punched, kicked, spit on and called every name in the book for doing my job. And every night I leave my house to go to work I realize I may not come back home in the morning. Because when I go to work I can be stabbed, shot, drown, fall, be electrocuted, or die in a car accident rushing to help you.

My job also requires me to carry special “tools” to help me do my job. Sometimes even while doing my job I have to defend myself from someone attacking me. Although, the newspapers will report to you that I “beat someone down”, and not that I defended myself from an attack.

While at work I must also carry a gun to protect you, but should I have to use it, the media reports to you that I “gunned someone down” or that I “shot and killed” somebody tonight, and not that I defended myself. Don’t they realize that I shoot to live and never to kill?

Also when I go to work I wrap a protective vest around me to help keep me safe through my shift. I use this vest so that I will be allowed to live to the end of my work day. And I hope and pray that should something bad happen to me while at my job, that this vest helps keep me alive so that I will be allowed to see my children grow.

And when I go to my job, I will see more pain, sorrow, agony, death and destruction in one month than most of you will see in an entire lifetime.

And to the ones who don’t know me, I unforunetly will meet most of you at the worst times in your life. You often will call me to come help you out with a problem. But if you have a really big problem you can get me at a special 3 digit number and me and my coworkers will race to your house, just to help you no questions asked. All you have to do is call and we will be there for you, no matter what time, day, night or holiday, rain shine or blizzard.

Sometimes my job also requires me to deliver lectures, babies and even bad news. I am also the one required to ring your doorbell in the middle of the night, swallow hard and advise you that a loved one will not be coming home tonight, then I spend the rest of my shift wondering why I ever took such a job.

Some people even refer to me as a “pig,” but when I hear that word called to me or one of my coworkers I think of Pride, Integrity and Guts, which everyone in my profession needs to do this job.

Me and my coworkers must be able to have muscles of steel, have a sense of humor and put ourselves into dangerous situations and face danger head on all in a days work.

We must act in a second and make a decision in the blink of an eye, and spend the rest of our life hoping we made the right choice in that split second. If not we can be arrested and charged with breaking a law, be sued for violating someone’s rights, or end up with even a worse fate.
My job requires me to take an oath to be their and to risk my life to protect you. And it is an oath that me and my fellow coworkers have taken and is one that we will never break.

What, you ask is my job? I am your local police officer. And what do I ask in return for doing all this and risking my own life to keep you safe? Nothing at all because it is my intention and my hope of being the one who makes the difference for you.

Written by;

Officer Paul Cotter
Lynn (MA) Police Department

Officer Paul Cotter, Patrolman
Lynn (MA) Police Dept

September 15, 2007

My encounters with officer Watson were always pleasant. He was kind and understanding. In his trade while I had the opportunity to observe him, he was direct, and firm. He is sorely missed.

Fred Clingman
aquaintance

September 6, 2007

"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

July 25, 2007

Today would have been 47 years for you!

Sure missed you at our family get together on Sunday for Andrea's graduation. Would have been nice to laugh and reminisce with you.

Miss you,
Mary

Mary Wilkinson
sister

June 12, 2007

John,

It's your birthday today. You would have been 47. I wish I could hug you and wish you a happy birthday. I have been thinking about you an awful lot lately.
Chelaine had a baby girl last month. her name is Serenity. Serenity sure is a beautiful little girl. She is just 1 month old. I wish you were here to hold her.
So much has been taken from our family. So much you will never get to do, so much we will never get to do with you.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE....Kathy

Kathy
Wife

June 12, 2007

Hi John,

Today we would have been married 7 years. Happy Anniversary. I love and miss you.
Chelaine had her baby. She named her Serenity Helene. She is such a beauriful little girl. Chelaine is such a good mom. I wish for you to keep a watchful eye on both of them. Netta came over the other day. She had fun holding and loving on Serenity.

I think of you and miss you every day.
All my love,
Kathy XXOO

Kathy Watson
Wife

June 4, 2007

Hi John.
As the weather is beginning to warm up,and rhe riding season gets under way, I miss you more. You ride with me on the bike everytime I ride. You have put on over 25,000 miles since you were so abruptly and ruthlessly taken from me. I miss you so very much. It is comforting to me to ride your Harley, knowing that you rode the same Motorcycle that I am riding. I wish I could ride on the back again. I know that will never happen. So please keep a watchful eye on me and your loving hand on my shoulder as I ride. Till we see eachother again............
I LOVE YOU, I MISS YOU, I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU!!
XXXOOO

Kathy Watson
Wife

April 24, 2007

Been thinking about you lately John, must be the time of year, it's hard to believe it has been so long. It seems not so long ago when I'd see you at around town and always get the Big John smile and hug. I miss you buddy!

Chris
friend

December 29, 2006

I think of you and your family every year at Christmastime. On 24th Dec. 2003, I remember seeing you out there directing traffic at the intersection of K-Beach and Bridge Access. I remember as I drove around the corner that I said a prayer for your safety, as I've grown accustomed to doing whenever and wherever I see a Peace Officer on duty. My youngest son has become an 'Explorer', and he really has respect and admiration for your brothers in uniform. God Bless your memory, and your family, Officer Watson.

Jacqueline Dederick

December 25, 2006

THERE IS A "BLUE LIGHT" SHINING IN MY WINDOW ALL YEAR FOR THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE AND FOR THOSE STILL PROTECTING US.
OFFICER WATSON YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.
TO HIS FAMILY: WE GRIEVE WITH YOU FOR WE HAVE WALKED THAT PATH BEFORE YOU. THERE ARE MANY OF US THAT UNDERSTAND THE PAIN AND HURT THAT YOU EXPERIENCE EVERY DAY AND WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE. WE ARE HERE.
GOD BLESS YOU AND GIVE YOU STRENGTH AND COMFORT AT THIS TIME OF YEAR.

LORRAINE BOND (MOTHER)
HAMILTON COUNTY, TN DEPUTY SHERIFF:
DONALD K. BOND, JR.
EOW: 09.06.01

December 25, 2006

John,
Another year we've missed spending with you...

The blue lights shine brightly out our front window. Friends keep adding ornaments to the police tree in your memory - which makes it even more special.

The kids really want to make a trip to your great state but I can't make that trip yet - hope to be able to again someday!

Love ya,
Mar Mar

Mary Wilkinson
Sister of Officer John Watson

December 25, 2006

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked somber. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.


Anonymous

Patrolman
Bangor Police Department

December 25, 2006

On this, the 3rd Anniversary of Officer Watson's EOW, I wanted to say that my prayers are with the family of Officer Watson. It may not seem like much but we in the law enforcement brotherhood do remember our fallen brothers and mourn them. My thoughts and prayers are with your family on this Christmas morning.

Senior Patrol Agent
United States Border Patrol

December 25, 2006

Hey Bro: Well its hard to believe another year has come and almost gone. Its been a quiet year for us, only 36K on the skoot this year, but on a high note, only 1 ticket hehehehe. It still isn't easy, but I had to laugh the other day, thinking about that piece of crap jeep you had in Anchor Town, we got buried out in the woods. What a debacle that was. Sure wish I could tell you I miss you to your face, or at least over the phone.
I'll tip one in your Honor, like last year.
Love ya John, you will always be GBNF.
Dave

Dave
Friend

December 15, 2006

My thoughts are with your loved ones as the 3rd anniversary of your end of watch arrives. You are a true hero and heroes never die. Continue to watch over your loved ones, let them feel your presence and love. You will never be forgotten. My home is decorated outside with all blue lights, one of those lights is lit nightly in your honor and will continue until after New Years.

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

December 15, 2006

Rest in Peace, Officer Watson. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

November 2, 2006

well we did it John we made it to sturgis this year. Not as we had planned all of us going but shawn and I. You we in our hearts all the way ther and home. we know that you we watching over us the whole time. We miss you so.

sandi and shawn
friends

September 6, 2006

Happy Birthday John - today would be your 46th birthday! Thinking of you today and every day....

Your sis,
Mary

Mary Wilkinson
sister

June 12, 2006

John...

Wow, buddy its hard to believe it's been over two years since that fateful day. I can tell that although we are functioning daily at the PD, things will never be the same. Again I personally thank you for all of the life lessons you taught me that have made me the officer I am today. I often compare my life to your journey and see many things that are similar...Heck we even look similar!

Well here's maybe more than you wanted to know...but, Prior to your death as I was preparing to go to work I would often sing the song "Big John" in the shower. It was part of my mental prepardness to get ready for the shift, and the words of that song always made me thing of you as a role model.

I have had a hard time sing that song with out being overwhelmed by your memories...So i changed a few words and made it more a little more fitting...

Here it is...

(Big John), (Big John)

(Spoken) Ever' mornin'at the PD you’d see him arrive
He stood six-foot three and weighed two eighty-five
Kinda broad at the shoulders and narrow at the hip
Ever'- body knew you didn't give no "lip", to Big John;

(Big John), (Big John), Big Bad John, (Big John).

Kenai is where John called home
Just lived with his family kind of quiet and alone
He didn't say much, kinda humble but proud
And if he spoke at all, he’d say “HI” real loud, Big John;

Somebody said he came from Anchorage town Where he got in a fight with a DV King And some Justice Cuffs in a huge right hand Sent an Alaska fellow to the gray bar land, Big John;

(Big John), (Big John), Big Bad John, (Big John).

Then came the day while out on the line
When a bad thing happened and citizen came a cryin’
A momma was prayin' and her heart beat fast
About the welfare of a daughter; she thought she’d breathed her last, 'cept John;

Thru the Snow and the Cold of this frozen hell Walked a giant of a man that the citizens know well
He walked right into the battle just to do what was right,
That’s what he did on this sad and fatal night, Big John.

(Big John), (Big John), Big Bad John, (Big John).


With all of his strength, he gave a mighty shove
And a fight broke out, he saw a light up above
And a hundred men scrambled from the peninsula wide
All to serve justice, in the name of a life, Big John

With Guns a-drawn they considered goin’ in
Then through the front door out came the man who had sinned
They put him away, and men started cryin’
Cause ever'body knew it was the end of the line, for Big John;

(Big John), (Big John), Big Bad John, (Big John).

Now back at the station where the Hero’s in blue sit
They placed a bronze stand in front of it
These few words are written on that stand
The City of Kenai is proud of one Big, Big man, Big John;

(Big John), (Big John), Big Bad John, (Big John), (fade) (Big John).


John, I love and miss you!!!

Aaron, Kenai Police Office

Aaron Turnage, Patrol
Kenai

March 29, 2006

John: It's been two years since you were taken from those who respected and loved you. You are not forgotten, and on this Christmas day, we remember your sacrifice, and the laying down of your life, so that others may live in peace. What a christ-like example.
Someday we'll all meet again.
God Bless.

Sgt. Roy Smith
Wildwood State Prison

December 26, 2005

It's been two years tonight and it still seems like yesterday. You're in my heart and I think of you always. We have so many blue lights shining in your honor.

Missing you so very much this Christmas,
Mary

Mary Wilkinson, John's sister

December 25, 2005

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, December 25, 2005 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Police Officer John Watson who died in the line of duty on this date two years ago.

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

Officer Watson’s sacrifice will never be forgotten.

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

December 25, 2005

I am thinking of your family on this day as you continue to deal with your loss. I prayed for you today-God Bless You.

Anonymous

December 25, 2005

To Officer Watson's family...I know the holidays will never be the same after a tragedy such as this. Keep faith in the knowledge that Officer Watson is keeping the streets safe in a higher place. My prayers are with you.

December 25, 2005

DEAR WATSON FAMILY ,ITS BEEN TWO LONG YEARS . OUR KIDS MET IN WASHINGTON THIS PAST SPRING .OUR KIDS WOULD TALK AFTER WE GOT BACK FROM DC. MY GIRLS WOULD LOVE TO HERE FROM YOUR SON .WE WOULD LIKE TO SAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.THRE IS A BLUE LIGHT IN THE WINDOW IN HOOR OF YOUR HUSBAND ,FATHER ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHERS . THAT THIN BLUE LINE GOD BLESS THE ROLNIAK FAMILY EOW 2-4-04DET WILLIAM ROLNIAK JR

December 12, 2005