Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sgt. Pozell— I ran in your honor today in the ODMP 5K along with other members of the reserve corps. We are going strong and honor your service.

R/Ofc. Sethna
Metropolitan Police Department

May 11, 2024

Rest easy

Mark Mottola

May 17, 2020

Rest in peace Reserve Sergeant Pozell.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 4, 2020

On the anniversary of your EOW, I wanted to leave a little note to let you know that your service was appreciated and that the world knows you are not forgotten Sergeant Pozell. Continue to rest in peace.

Patrolman (Retired) Hugh Hamilton
NYCBP

May 17, 2018

I think of you often Sgt Pozell. We never met, but I was there when you were taken. You had, just moments before, left a table filled with my coworkers having lunch before going back to the memorial to honor our friend. You laughed in your final moments. I hope that brings comfort to your loved ones, both blood and blue. I will never forget you.

Dispatcher

December 1, 2017

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 17, 2015

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

November 23, 2012

Rest in Peace, Reserve Sergeant Pozell. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 5, 2012

i was recently in washington dc for a national security forum. While i was in georgetown when i saw a sign with your name on it. While i have not had the honor of meeting you, thank you for your service.

Southwest Florida Explorer Sergeant

Southwest FL Explorer Sergeant
Southwest Florida

January 5, 2012

I still remember you laughing moments before you took your post....God speed Sgt Pozell

Anonymous

February 17, 2011

Thank you for your service...rest easy

Reserve Sgt. M.Williams
Sheriff's Office

August 31, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 4th 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 who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I hold your family in thought and prayer today and pray for their solace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

May 17, 2009

To Reserve Sgt. Joseph Pozell, his family and his fellow officers with the Metropolitian Police Department:

Our heartfelt thoughts are with you on the anniversary of Resverve Sgt. Pozell’s tragic death and we honor him for his valor and sacrifice to the community. Rest in Peace, Reserve Sgt. Pozell and thank you for your service.

Wives Behind The Badge, Inc
Members and Staff

May 17, 2009

officer pozell, i've only been to police memorial week once. as i sat in the airport waiting for my flight back to chicago, i read the DC newspaper. i was sad to read the article about your passing, but it made the trip even more memorable. we were there to reflect on our loss from the summer before, and blow off a little steam. but you were out there serving as officers do every day. thank you for your service, sir!

officer
chicago

January 19, 2009

I remember the day of your accicent and will always remember it as it was the day they were honoring my son who was killed in the line of duty in 2004 and we were on our way to the ceremony when we passed your accident site. My thoughts are always with those that love you and are close to you. You are a true hero.

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

January 21, 2008

I am honored to leave a reflection for you today. As I continue to leave reflections for the heros on this web site your name appeared. It is obvious how loved and respected you are by the comments that have been left. Thank you Sir for your service. You

Pat VanDenBerghe
MANCHESTER, NH

December 19, 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

December 9, 2007

See you on the other side.

Sgt Don "Boots" Jensen Retired
Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee, WI

October 13, 2007

A special note from me, my sister Ella Haendler and from Per Linden too:

Ella and Joe Jr.,

Peace always. Joe Sr. was a real helper in life - we all knew this - and a lover of life. To be working for the MPD, which he so loved, and do so as a volunteer Reserve Police Sergeant encompasses just how special Joe was to all of us who got to know him. As for me, I never told you that he is why I became so active with the MPD and am now blessed to have begun my police training at the Academy. I never told you that his dedication to our community serves to this day as an inspiration and motivation in my life. The day following his passing, still fresh in my mind, I sent a large bouquet to the police officers at the Second District precinct, because I knew the emotion of what happened stretched far into the community of his co-workers as well to you and to us. I included a card with the lilies, and on the card I wrote this sentiment, personally from me: "When a rock falls on still water, its ripples touch every shoreline."

Amen

Recruit Officer Melissa E. Haendler
MPD IPS

June 28, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this 2nd anniversary of your being called away. I was in DC for my son's memorial when I heard of your accident. Thank you for your dedication to law enforcement, you will always be a true hero. You will never be forgotten.

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

May 17, 2007

Thank you for your service. Rest in peace.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

May 17, 2007

G-d Bless.

May 17, 2007

Officer Pozell, you are truely missed.

Rest in Peace. God bless the Pozell and MPDC family.

Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department-Third District

April 15, 2007

"My Brother"

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was idealistic and believed he could make a difference.
He was immensely proud of the uniform and the badge and what they represent.
He felt privileged to be of service to his department, his community and to his country.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was friendly, courteous, and polite, yet firm.
He laughed and joked, but was serious when necessary.
He was competent, trained, and professional.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He had a strong sense of right and wrong and became
frustrated when true justice became sidetracked.
He felt the sharp criticism that goes with the job, but he
never wavered.
He stood by and for his fellow officers.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He longed for his family during the long hours.
He worried about them during his shifts and the lonely
weekends, holidays and midnights when they were apart.
He felt guilty about the lost time, but knew his calling
and prayed they would understand.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was a good son, a loving husband, and a devoted father.
He was dedicated to the profession and cared about the
people he served.
He wanted to do the best job that he could and strived to
be the best he could be.
He was a good citizen and a good neighbor.

He was a cop.

Yes, I did know him.
He was a cop, he was my Brother.

Rest easy Brother Pozell, we have the watch...



”I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
---Isaiah 6:8

You answered the call and made the ultimate sacrifice. Rest easy in God's kingdom and watch over us as we continue the battle here on earth!!!

Officer
MPDC

April 8, 2007

Merry Christmas Officer Pozell

You are never far from my thoughts

God Bless You Sir

Michigan

December 23, 2006