Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

There are so many wonderful officers on the odmp who have given their lives
so sacrificially. It is heartbreaking to read some of the stories and I can't imagine the pain of those who knew and loved them intimately. But it sounds
like Craig was a special kind of breed, someone who you could never forget even if you only met him once. One word comes to mind when reading about
him and that is zany. When I get to heaven I will hunt him down just to meet
him and enjoy a laugh! How special he was to donate his organs so others could live. He truly is a top-notch guy and my heart goes out to all who
dearly miss him! With love from one coast of America to the other.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

August 9, 2008

Hey hun,

Just thinking about you tonight. Still miss you so much.

Anonymous

July 21, 2008

I start the mountain bike training course on Monday. I've been constantly thinking about you. You are still very missed.

I will pass this class for you.

Ofc. K. Coffey
MPDC

May 17, 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 9, 2007

Officer McBride was a good friend of mine and had everything going for him. In addition to all the praises and recognitions recieved, he was also very sincere. Just a cool guy to have known all around. We were in the same acadmey class looking outwards into the field of Law Enforcement. Time goes quick. He went too soon. God Bless his family. He will be sorely missed.

Rest In Peace Officer McBride.
Until that day.
2003-5 MPD

L.C.
MPD 2003-5

September 2, 2007

Went down to the memorial off Judiciary Square today to say hello. Your family left a very nice wreath for you. We miss you bud, more than you know.

Chris Hunter
Friend

August 18, 2007

Wow I cannot believe that it has been two years. Thank you for watching out for Jim and keeping him safe when he is working every night. Thank you for being the guardian angel of our son. We miss you...

Jenn Schwab
Wife of Craig's best friend

August 10, 2007

...thinking of you today Jim...your spirit is eternal.

Jelena Chargel
Friend

August 10, 2007

Officer McBride,
The second anniversary of your EOW is upon us, and I wish to extend my heartfelt thoughts to your loved ones and friends. Always a hero, never forgotten.

Pennsylvania citizen

August 9, 2007

As the two year anniversary of your death is this month, the MPDC family remembers you, not the way you died, but the way you lived and worked as a devoted, high speed officer, always in court arresting someone and making a difference in D.C.

Police Officer
Metropolitan Police (MPDC)

August 5, 2007

Officer McBride, you are truely missed. Officer McBride has joined the academy for the Army of the Lord and now will be known as Chief Angel McBride.
You will be missed!!

Sorry for your lost. God bless the McBride and MPDC Police family.

Officer Billie Davis
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 McBride, 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

To the family and loved ones of Officer James Craig McBride and his fellow officers with the Metropolitan Police Department:

On this the first anniversary week of Jim's tragic death, I wanted to honor and remember him today. Although I never had the privilege of meeting Jim, I feel as if I know him through the loving reflections left by loved ones and friends.

I hope that God is holding him in the sweetest part of his heart and the most gentle part of his soul.

I am so sorry that Jim was robbed of his life so tragically, but through the profound sense of duty with which he lived his life, he made an immeasurable difference. May his spirit continue to soar and may his memory continue to inspire.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service Jim gave to his community and the citizens of our country, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on August 10, 2005.

Phyllis L. Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD
eow 4/24/05

August 11, 2006

Tonight I will raise a glass to you. I know you're drinking with me, watching over me as always.

a friend

August 10, 2006

The first anniversary has arrived and your loved ones will be in my thoughts today. I know the pain in their hearts and I have no magical words I can offer to help ease their pain. You are a true hero and you will never be forgotten. Keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol. Heroes Never Die.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon, Gold Star Father

August 10, 2006

A year ago God sadly called you back to be at his side so your badge could shine among the stars in the heavens for all to see. Rest in Peace Craig, as you are a precious nephew who is greatly missed.

Your Loving Aunt

August 10, 2006

...it's taken me a year to leave something here--mainly because I have still been trying to find words. Everyone knows what type of person you were--intelligent, persistent, honorable, genuine, and above all, ever optimistic and enthusiastic about the world and what it had to offer. Few people have the amount of integrity and determination that you radiated through everything you did, and I will always be inspired by that. However, for me, it's the subtle annoyances, which were yours and yours alone, that keep you here with me in memory. Habits like denying the fact that you were wrong, in light of overwhelming evidence, just to get a reaction--or calling at inconvenient times with some off the wall idea about driving to Gettysburg in your beat-up, barely working Chevy Impala--and then, of course, spending hours at Costco with you, walking in circles as you tried to figure out which Star Trek DVD series you needed on your shelf. The truth is that I didn't see you after you became a police officer, although we talked from time to time, but even in your absence, the world was much more interesting with you in it. I will never be able to convey how much you've influenced me, and now, will never be able to thank you for your support and respect. I miss you Jim--we all miss you...and while you leaving has made tangible the reality of impermanence--it has also revealed to me the eternal nature of our spirit.

Jelena
Friend

August 10, 2006

Thinking of you on the first anniversary of your death.
From reading all these reflections it's easy to see you
were a credit to the uniform. It takes alot of courage to
wear that blue and you wore it extremely well. I have a
feeling you would have done well at any professional
path you would have taken. Our hats are off to you!
God bless your family, at home and at work and know
your memory is cherished. With love from one coast
of America to the other.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

August 10, 2006

With honor and respect we heard your name read in Washington.

Linda Rittenhouse, Matt's Mom
Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/04

Linda Rittenhouse

May 17, 2006

Many people spend their entire lives in trying to develop purpose, character and the brilliance to apply them. James Craig McBride, or Jim as many of us knew him, was blessed was all three.

Jim was the kind of guy that just swept you up in a hurricane of ideas and convinced you, by virtue of his own personality, that you could do anything. I can’t tell you how many times a phone call from Jim resulted in something incredible happening. Everything Jim did from a last minute trip to Boston or pizza on a late Sunday night was an exercise in expanding your boundaries. He pushed you, he laughed with you and so many of us were so glad to have our worlds shaken up by him.

So much can be said about Jim’s dedication to being an officer, his unit, and the District of Columbia. However, the most fitting tribute I can make to him is to say that if any of us brings even an ounce of the enthusiasm and ingenuity that Jim woke up with every day to our own endeavors, we could make this community and this world 1,000 times better.

Jared Degnan
Jim's Friend

May 13, 2006

For those of you coming for police week, McBride is on panel 50W of the National Memorial. Never thought I would see him there . . . we still miss you

MPD 1D Brother

May 10, 2006

My thought & prayers go out 2 Officer McBride's survivors. He will always be a Hero: honored, loved & remembered.

MPD Applicant J. Campbell

May 2, 2006

I am the wife of Jim's(or as we called him Craig) best friend. Craig buddy, you are a true hero. We think of you everyday. Thank you for being Jim's (my husbands) angel. Keep him safe on the job.

Best Friend's Wife

March 28, 2006

A true hero. You will never be forgotten.

Deputy Designee
EPSO

March 25, 2006

While waiting in my doctor's office this morning, I saw a touching program on TV that related how Ofc. McBride saved 6 other lives via organ donations.

Even in death, James continued to serve and protect those he didn't even know.

My everlasting respect and esteem go out to Ofc. McBride and his entire family.

Sgt. Steve Carey
Glendale (CA) Police Department

February 8, 2006