Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

About 6 weeks before your father died, he was the responding officer to my 911 call at about 1:30 am. I was a widow living alone and someone was ringing my doorbell. I was terrified. You can’t imagine my relief when I saw the flashing lights on his car. His backup soon arrived and they made sure the person was gone. Officer McCoy came to the door and kindly reassured me that whoever was there fled. I was safe thanks to him. I distinctly read McCoy on his badge. It was your dad. I am thankful for him protecting me.

Alice H
Former citizen of Abilene

June 13, 2024

I don’t even know how to begin.

I’ve been sitting here for awhile now rereading that line trying to think how to put into words this feeling. I don’t think I can, because this feeling is not common and I’ve come to accept most people will not understand. I don’t even know who I’m writing to; myself, him, the universe, but I do feel doing this is part of me healing, if that will ever happen.

As you know it happened when I was very young; therefore I do not remember much and didn’t fully understand what happened. My whole life I would hear about what a legend he was, truly not just your average person. I would hear how much he loved me, how I look like him, how everybody loved him, how much he wishes to be with me, how much of a positive influence and difference he brought to the world. But looking back it was just like listening to a story from a book, because all the while as strange as it sounds I know, I was still waiting for him to walk through the door. Daydreaming it was all a lie or joke and him walking through the front door with a smile on his face.

Since my recent visit of Abilene, the daydreaming stopped. My true first time seeing and feeling it all. Almost my whole life I realize now, I was floating. Because I sank. I felt like I was falling through the earth realizing he was actually gone. An endless deep void of reality. Being at his grave the urge to dig up the ground for more proof flooded my mind but I knew. The sadness and anger I’ve never felt is still suffocating. Seeing the stone and staring at the exact location he was no longer there, while his brother Randy and best friend Adam explain just how improbable and mathematically precise the timing had to be of the incident even was. The scream is still trapped inside of me, the rage I had to instantly turn off because it is too much.

But I must explain; the pain, sadness, anger, and constant reminding is not only because he was my father, but most importantly I am him.
Through my mother I have always heard little things like facial expressions and my appearance is like his, but Adam and Randy really showed me we have the same mind. My entire being and essence and mind are from him. I am missing myself within him, the one person who shares and understands who and what I am and all it’s depth and complexity. I finally felt grounded but still not like it should be , a new reason to feel all the pain. Knowing the one person who truly understands me and guide my mind is gone feels like it will eat me for the rest of my life.

I must add that my mother has done an amazing job at the daunting task that was thrown at her and I love her everyday for how much she has done and given me. Everything I have said is at no discredit to her at all, she has done more than enough. I have many of her traits as well and shared values and I’m very thankful.

I am my fathers daughter, and I know he is happy to be with God, but I also feel the pain for him of loosing his daughter. My mind has run through many scenarios of what he may have seen or been given in his last moments, if he was given any options. Through every one I can imagine I know he would have picked what is best for me and for him. It is rare to be so sure of that with someone I don’t remember the voice of, and that is exactly why it hurts so much more loosing him.

I could go on and on, but I want to thank Randy and Adam for bringing me so much comfort and grounding and showing me who my dad really was. They themselves in who they are say a lot about my dad in who he surrounded himself with and the impact he had on people. I love them both very much and they are true fellow extensions of my father.

Lastly this simple website where all of you have shared all of these accounts and love for him, is such a treasure to have and means so much. It seems like it was made for me to look back on, so thank you.

Ella McCoy

June 5, 2024

RIP Officer McCoy, Thank you for your service. My condolences to your family and friends who I pray will see you again in Heaven.

If tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
all filled with tears for me;

I wish so much you wouldn't cry
the way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too;

But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
that an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,

And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
all those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye,
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
it seemed almost impossible,
that I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays,
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all that we shared,
And all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you
and maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss some tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne,

He said, 'This is eternity,
And all I've promised you.'
Today your life on earth is past,
but here life starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
and since each day is the same way,
There's no longing for the past.

So when tomorrow starts without me,
don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart.

Livingston County, KY
Sister of Roger Lynch

June 5, 2021

God bless you

Mark Mottola

June 5, 2020

Rest in peace Officer McCoy.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 8, 2020

Jeff, A fine man, glad to have worked with you. Sure miss you,but I know heaven is a better place with you.

Officer Greg Garner Ret.
Abilene Police Department

September 30, 2019

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

August 7, 2017

Rest in peace brother.

Lieutenant Ray Flores
N.Y.P.D. (retired)

June 5, 2017

Sure do miss you brother.
Never forgotten

Officer Adam Lopez
Abilene Police Departmemt

June 5, 2017

Proud to send my No Parole letter today. You have not been forgotten sir and will forever be remembered for your service and sacrifice.

Deputy Donnie Meaders
Seminole County (OK) S.O.

April 17, 2017

Thank you for your service to our country. I hope your family is doing alright. I also my hope my No Parole letter makes it to the parole board. RIP

John Haseltine - Civilian

April 5, 2017

Rest in Peace Officer Jeffery Howard McCoy. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice protecting the citizens of Abilene, Texas.

I Pray for Peace for your Family, Friends and Co-Workers. I also Pray that the hounds of hell forever gnaw on the bones of the scum that caused your death. May he rot in hell.

Amen.

Senior Special Agent B.L. Sherwood (Ret)
Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston, TX

June 5, 2016

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

June 6, 2015

Rest in Peace my Brother on Blue, God bless your Family, Friends and Department. My "No Parole" letter went out this morning.

Bob Reed , Retired Police Officer
South Lake Tahoe Police Department

February 9, 2015

RIP Jeff, we will be sure this offender stays where he belongs for the 20 years he was sentenced to. He robbed you,your family and your community of your love ,companionship and protection. He should not walk free after 8 years.

Colleen Chretien
Law enforcement wife

February 8, 2015

My "No Parole" letter went out today, Rest in Peace My Brother in Blue. God Bless your Family, Friends and Department

Retired Police Officer, Bob Reed
South Lake Tahoe Department

January 29, 2015

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

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

January 24, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 5th 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 pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your friends for sharing thier memories and devotion to you through their reflections.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

June 5, 2012

Heaven now has two of Abilene's finest who continue their watch from above.

Rest together Officers Jeff McCoy & Rodney Holder
E.O.W. 6/5/2007 4/29/2010

Thank you for your service to our community.

Casey Harris Wasson
Daughter of Ron Harris (Dep. Chief, Ret.)

May 3, 2010

Jeff,

You gained a brother in blue today up in heaven. Please keep an eye out on not just Rodney's family and friends, but all families with someone who wears the badge.

Brandon McAuliffe

April 29, 2010

To Officer Jeffery Howard McCoy, his family and his fellow officers with the Abilene Police Department:

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

Wives Behind The Badge, Inc
Members and Staff

June 5, 2009

Two years have now passed since that terrible day, and I miss my good brother all the same. What a great man!

It's still hard to believe that two years ago today, in a little over two hours from when I'm writing this message, Jeff's life was abruptly taken from this world. Everything changed. Yet I'm forever grateful for the comfort in knowing he was a devout Christian, and followed God all the way home.

Be at peace, my dear brother.

Randy McCoy
Jeff's brother

June 5, 2009

I went to school at jefferson and cooper with Jeff he was a very good friend for many years, I ran into Jeff as adults he told me about his family and how proud of them he was, & the most important he spoke about his relationship with our Lord and Savior,Jeff was a man of God I'll never forget our conversation,and how he stressed to me to turn my life to God, Thank You Jeff you are truly missed and was a true friend. God Bless your family
Lisa Wade Garcia

Anonymous

December 13, 2008

You were an awesome man of God and you remind me of Eric Hite who recently joined you in Heaven. He was with the Tucson P.D. and you both had similar great qualities. This world needs more men of integrity with boldness to share their faith and be an example of what a man can be. May many come to know Jesus because of your witness and your desire for excellence. Some day I long to be where you are, meeting the One who died for me and rejoicing in all He has done. Thank you for your service and
sacrifice and for changing people's lives. That's the mission God planned for
you and you glorified Him in the process!
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

June 19, 2008

It's 12:30AM, and in about three hours a year ago this day my brother Jeff was carried home.

Even though he now rests near to the heart of God, Jeff's earthly presence is so dearly missed. All who knew and worked with my brother have poured out their deep compassion and prayers, and I'm very thankful he touched many lives in such a positive way. He would be grateful and in awe of all the care that has been shown his family during this most difficult year. May each of you be blessed.

Rest well brother, and one day I will see you on the other side.

Randy McCoy
Jeff's brother

June 5, 2008