Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Sergeant Popolizio.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 7, 2021

Thirteen years ago I left something on here. I don’t know why but I wanted to tell you you’re still deeply missed. I still love you with all my heart and miss you everyday pop. Thank you for always watching over me, especially during a few firefights I was in. You’ll always be my best friend. Until we meeting again.

Retired DET.
Newark NJ

April 9, 2020

Pop! We all gave some but you gave All. Your commitment to making the streets of Newark safer will never be forgotten. May you continue to Rest In Peace and until we meet again... 102nd to None!

Lieutenant Austin Jackson
Newark PD (retired)

June 1, 2018

Rest in peace my brother. You are loved when so many of the people you have touched remember you, and by that your memory will always be alive. Watch over your loving family and always keep them safe from harm. May God bless them.

Lieutenant Ray Flores
NYPD (retired)

March 3, 2018

10 years ago you were painfully ripped out of our lives. Time does not heal all wounds! You are loved, never forgotten and ALWAYS in our hearts and on our minds. Your girls are growing up so quickly and there's so much that you've missed. You would be so proud of what beautiful young ladies they are turning into. We all love and miss you so much.

Michele Popolizio

March 2, 2017

9 years are now gone without you and it's just as painful. You still live on in our house, not a day goes by without your name being mentioned. We love you and miss you so much.

Michele Popolizio
Sister-in-Law

March 3, 2016

RIP

Detective Dennis Pothos
Fort Lee, NJ Police Department

May 30, 2015

I had to staff this funeral to guide the media to their seats in the Basilica, which put me at the front entrance to it when the funeral party came in.

It was a gut-wrenching experience I will never forget -- the light snow falling down, 32 color guards, wind whipping the flags in the breeze, rows and rows of police officers from across New York and New Jersey standing ramrod straight in their uniforms, the plaintive skirl of the bagpipes that have sent my British family members into battle (or eternal rest after the battle) for centuries, and the multi-colored police lights leading the procession.

The pallbearers ascending the stairs in front of me, followed by the Popolizio family, and I felt a string of emotions, pain, sorrow, anger, disgust at the murderer's conduct and attitudes, and sickening at the needless waste, loss, and destruction.

There was no reason for any of this pain and agony, and even the powerful rhetoric and music of the Catholic High Mass could not help me much -- not being Catholic, for one reason. I sat with the press corps, and they dutifully scribbled down the words of our Mayor, Cory A. Booker, and Police Director Garry F. McCarthy, who puzzled over what was God's will. Only one sentence of McCarthy stayed with me...that in the Jewish tradition, one could "shake one's fist at God." Being Jewish, that resonated with me. He then posthumously promoted Popolizio and gave his badge to his brother -- also promoted -- and retired the number after the brother retires.

The archbishop asked us to make the sign of peace, and the reporters broke from their scribbling to make peace handshakes and hugs to each other and me, and I was struck that some joined in the prayers.

After the service, Mayor Booker stood in the falling snow, bareheaded, addressing the drawn-up Newark police officers (and New York State Troopers and New Jersey State Troopers), eyes blazing, face red, demanding that the men and women before him "work miracles" in our communities to live up to Sgt. Popolizio's sense of duty, commitment, courage, and honor. "Can you do this?" Cory yelled.

The officers yelled back, "Sir, yes, sir!" with a forceful roar that echoed off the Basilica's stone walls.

I was in tears, barely able to maintain the composure I needed to answer questions from the media.

When I rejoined my crew, filled with these images, mulling them over in my mind, one of my team asked, "What did you think, Dave?"

I slumped in the back of the car and growled, "I never want to do a line-of-duty funeral for a police officer ever again as long as I live. I never want to see this again."

The hardest part of venting that was knowing that sooner or later, I would indeed have to do it again.

David H Lippman
City of Newark Division of Communications

May 5, 2015

Dad, I miss you so much I am now 9 2 weeks 10 or soon. Even though you died when I was 2, I still know you were the best dad anyone could have. I bet we would be laughing all as a family, I wish you were here

LOVE YOUR DAUGHTER,
ALEXIA POPOLIZIO

Alexia
daughter

April 30, 2015

Well 7 years has passed and not much has changed. Your girls are getting bigger and more beautiful by the minute. You are still so terribly missed by all and are hearts will be forever shattered. It still feels like yesterday that you were so tragically ripped from our lives. I still have so much anger built up inside that you are not here. It's not fair, this family needs you and Nicky here especially your girls and your brother! People say as time goes on it gets easier, well IT DOESN'T!
Gone but NEVER forgotten and forever loved!
R.I.P. Tommy. Baci e abbracci in cielo!

Michele Popolizio
Sister-in-law

March 3, 2014

I knew you and your family before you became an officer. When I heard you became an officer, I said it was the perfect fit for you because I knew you were going to be great at it. Tomas, (as I always called you) you had one of the biggest hearts I had ever seen. People knew that you cared about them because you always showed it. I had the pleasure of meeting your girls and the resemblance is amazing. I am proud to say that I knew you and that you were a friend.

Pam Coleman
family friend

March 26, 2013

You truly were different from the rest. Your kindness made you stand out. Five years have passed, but your memory will forever remain in the hearts of everyone you knew, including myself.
Ciana, Alexia, and Eneida are always in my thoughts; I'm sure that you're always in theirs.
You are truly missed. <3

Anonymous
Friend

March 3, 2012

We think of how sweet you were. ALL of them should have been as kind as you were to us.

Anon
Family

November 13, 2011

Tommy-

We still remember and think of you often. We miss you and know your still with us wherever you are.


Rest in peace <3

Jennie
Family

March 3, 2010

3 years have passed and the pain seems harder to deal with. I wish you were here to see how big and beautiful your daughters have gotten. They put a smile on everyone’s face they meet, just like you did. There is not a day that goes by in this house where we don’t talk or think about you and Nicky. You only met your smallest nephew a handful of times after he was born and before you were so painfully ripped from our lives, he is now 3 years old and he talks about you all of the time. Your pictures are all over the house and Massimo is always so drawn to them, he even talks to you. He’s a little character; he would have made you laugh. Your brother always says “If Tommy could only see him!” But I know you can. I know your here around us every single day!

WE MISS YOU, LOVE YOU, AND THINK ABOUT YOU ALL OF THE TIME. YOU ARE FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS!

Michele Popolizio
Sister-in-Law

March 3, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

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

March 3, 2010

Always remembered & honored 4 his service & his ultimate sacrifice.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister & granddau.of LEOs

March 3, 2010

YOU ARE GONE BET NEVER FORGOTTEN,GOD BLESS YOU

JASON MAITA

October 17, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this 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

March 3, 2009

ON THIS THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS EOW, WE PAUSE TO HONOR THIS BRAVE YOUNG MAN. MAY HIS FAMILY FIND COMFORT IN THEIR PRECIOUS MEMORIES AND MAY HE REST IN PEACE WITH THE ASSURANCE THAT WHAT HE DID WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

INV HAROLD HUTCHISON (RETIRED)
HUNTSVILLE ALABAMA POLICE DEPT

March 3, 2009

Thinking of your loved ones today and everyday. I know the daily struggles they face without you and the terrible pain within their hearts. God, wrap your loving arms around them and help them with their grief and let them feel your presence.
Your sacrifice has not been forgotten.

Brenda Lucas
Mother of Chief Anthony D. Lucas, EOW 2-4-2005

March 3, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 2nd 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 the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I can see from the loving reflections left that you were an amazing man who positively impacted the lives of others, and that you are loved and missed by so many. Time never diminishes love or respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

March 3, 2009

My thoughts are with all of your loved ones today. I know they think of you every day and forever carry your loving memories in their hearts. You will never be forgotten. Continue to watch over all of them and those still out on patrol.

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

March 3, 2009

It’s been almost 2 years and we finally got a little justice yesterday. Your killer will be away for 30 years with no chance of parole. I hope and pray he never makes it out alive! We miss you so much. I watch the pain in your brother’s eyes everyday and it kills me. So many times he has wanted to pick up the phone to call you, just to realize you are gone. You were taken away from us to soon. I can’t express the pain and sorrow I feel every time I look into your daughters eyes. Ciana and Alexia were blessed to have you as their father. You are gone from us, but NEVER forgotten. We talk about you everyday and keep your photos all over the house. This family has a big hole in it from losing you and Nicky. This will never get easy for any of us, in fact it will only get harder as time goes on. As we all think about what could have been, if things were done differently that night, we will never know. I love you and miss you very much. I hope you are resting in peace with Nicky, Zia, Mama and your Nonna! Until we all meet again, ciao!
Meshl

Michele Popolizio
Sister-in-law

February 12, 2009

pop, he got 30 years!!! not nearly enough for taking away such a fine officer, husband and a loving father!!!! rest in peace brother......

det.
newark p.d.

February 12, 2009