Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Joe,

I can't believe it's been three years. Rest in peace, Joe, and know that you and your family are always in my thoughts and prayers. You are so greatly missed by so many!

Anonymous

December 12, 2008

I imagine you are on the minds of many this week. It is three years today that you were taken from us. It was a privilege to have known you back in the BDLE days. You are still in all of our hearts.

Anonymous
PSP

December 12, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this third anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

December 12, 2008

We miss you.

Stacy
Ex-wife

December 10, 2008

Hey Joe,

I can't believe that this Friday (December 12, 2008) will be the 3rd Anniversary of your death! We will on be down at the Southside in your honor and raise a glass in your memory!! We still miss you and will never forget you! Until we meet again! You are out of our sight but will never be out of our hearts! Miss you terribly!!!

Anonymous

December 9, 2008

Everytime we drive by that exit my heart hurts for your family. We did not know you but we are eternally grateful for your service.
May God watch over your family and children ...........
Again, ...... Thank You
"Blessed be the Peacekeepers".............

Roberta S
Citizen

December 9, 2008

Joe,
Just wanted to say Happy Halloween! Since you were always a big kid at heart!!! I still miss you and your laugh! Until we meet again!!!!

Anonymous

October 29, 2008

RIP and rest knowing that you will never be forgotten by all that know you and love you.

Anonymous

October 10, 2008

I still remember waking up to the telephone call that morning....I know I'll never forget that moment or that feeling of disbelief and sorrow. As 'Soldiers of the Law', we know that any day could be our last, but we don't think about that...we just do the job.
During the investigation and subsequent trial, I was very proud of how we, as 'Staties', showed the world just how professional we can be. But that pales in comparison to how proud of you I am. You lived up to all that we strive to be, both on and off the job. I feel honored to have known you, worked with you, and called you my friend. I will miss you.

Rest now, my friend. We will carry the torch from here.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

September 26, 2008

Joe,
I'm about to retire from the PSP in just a few weeks and I just wanted to take a minute to acknowledge that you would have been eligible for full retirement this year,too. Remembering the TNT days in Philly. You are not forgotten. May God bless your family.

A Fellow Corporal
Pa. State Police

September 13, 2008

Happy Birthday Joe...

Colie

August 27, 2008

I have what you gave me and try everyday to be thoughtful of what others need. You put us before yourself and I try putting others first when at all possible. The security you gave us will last forever. Thanks.

James V. Dermitt

August 8, 2008

Corporal Joesph R. Pokorny,

The circumstances of your death rank among the most horrific on record involving the slaying of a law officer. No doubt your initial encounter was to merely issue a traffic citation or maybe even provide some type of needed aasistance to a motorist. To be suddenly attacked and slain is the work of the most vile persons that live among us. None of us know when things will suddenly go bad. To have died along the highway, and at the hand of another is beyond most of our dreaded thoughts. It is something we may think about, but quickly push from minds. It is mostly luck that keeps us from a similar fate. No skill, or preparation, or cautiousness can be certain to stop the act if one who wishes to kill us by surprise. It is a risk that we take. It is our lot. But, you stand as a hero among heros. You have faced the words of our creed in truth, and with valor. You laid down your life rather than swerve from the path of duty. It is what you were sworn to do. Corporal Joseph R. Pokorny, you stood alone, against many, in the night, and in the cold. You fought for something that those who have disgraced the uniform have never known. You fought for h o n o r. Honor for yourself. Honor for your fellow officers. Honor for your family and all those who know you. You now join a long list of others who give the Pennsylvania State Police a proud history and high respect. It is why somewhere, right at this moment, someone is aspiring to wear the "big hat." Corporal Joseph R. Pokorny, you are a hero not because you died. You are a hero because you lived up to the oath you took to be of service to everyone in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. And, you died while doing it. Corporal Joseph R. Pokorny, you are a true soldier of the law. Well done, trooper...well done.

Cpl. Ralph D. Fiorenza (Ret.)
Pennsylvania State Police

August 3, 2008

I don't know why it seems harder today then before. It has been 2 1/2 years and i still miss you even more!!!


Always thinking of you!!!!

Anonymous

August 3, 2008

Joe,

You should have been retiring right now. But things are not always the way we wish they could be. I still miss your smile, your calls and your laughter! I was just thinking of you and wanted to let you know!!!

June 27, 2008

Joe,

It's riding season and I remember riding together with you a few times, even though you called my bike a "vespa". You are never forgotten and will not ever be forgotten at the Pittsburgh Barracks especially. Rest in Peace Poke.

Fresh.

Fresh
Friend & Co-worker

June 8, 2008

I am not sure if this was written for you already, but just in case here it is. It made me think of you. We all still miss you.



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

Fellow Trooper
Pa State Police

May 8, 2008

I'm headin out from station to get a Starbucks...you want one too? Venti...shot in the dark...I remember...I'll fly, you buy. And the candy is full too...has been since the last time I saw you and you asked me to fill it up before you went on that last set of mids.

Colie

April 29, 2008

Joe,
I didn't think that I could miss you even more then when this happened, but I do. The time that has passed doesn't make it any easier! Just know that you will never be forgotten. Until we meet again!

Forever a Friend

April 15, 2008

I would like to take the time to thank the Pokorny family for sacrificing their most prized posession for the safety of the citizens of PA. It never seems fair when the Lord takes the good people, but his mission in life was bigger than just to serve and protect. My deepest sympathy to the family and everytime we pass his memorial a silent thank you for services is said. Chin up kids your Father was a hero!!! He hasn't died, just moved on with God for a bigger mission! R.I.P.

Lisa
Citizen

April 3, 2008

Cpl. Pokorny;

Today your sacrifice was on my browser as I logged on to ODMP. Although we serve in different countries our calling is the same. Rest easy knowing your service is remembered by many.

Tomorrow I will serve my shift in your memory.

Sergeant
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

April 3, 2008

I miss you daddy.
Love, your little girl, "Sputs"

Ali
Daughter

January 26, 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

January 23, 2008

THE POLICEMAN’S LAST ROLE CALL

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

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




Anonoymus

Fellow Trooper
Pa State Police

December 13, 2007

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers on the anniversary of Corporal Pokorny's passing.
Heros are never forgotten. Rest in peace.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

December 12, 2007