Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 2, 2020

Posted on Daily Republic September 2, 2019
Fairfield California PD Lieutenant strives to keep late father’s legacy alive

FAIRFIELD — Fairfield police Lt. Matt Bloesch was 13 when his father, San Francisco Police Officer James Bloesch, 36, was accidentally killed by his partner Aug. 2, 1988.

The tragedy was compounded by the fact Bloesch learned about his father’s death from a San Francisco radio station.

More irony surfaced when a paramedic called to the scene was James Bloesch’s sister, Irene Ager. With her was her husband, Steven Ager, the registered owner of the gun that shot James Bloesch. He had lent it to his brother-in-law for off-duty use.

The loss of his father and one semester of being a Fire Explorer in high school, only made his resolve stronger to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Bloesch served five years with the Marin County Sheriff’s Office before coming to work for the Fairfield Police Department 15 years ago. He was promoted to lieutenant in July.

His father will always be a hero in his eyes.

“Part of growing up was seeing Dad off to work,” Bloesch said. His father served on the mounted unit at Golden Gate Park. Bloesch, his mother and siblings would often meet him for lunch at Golden Gate Park.

Bloesch would often tag along with his father as he and his horse competed in the Grand Nationals.

“It seems like they won every year,” he said. “It was cool for me to watch and be a part of it.”

There was the time Bloesch was choking on food and his father knew what to do.

“I thought it was the coolest thing he was trained in first aid and CPR,” Bloesch said.

James Bloesch started with the San Francisco Police Department in 1972. He received a Silver Medal of Valor and two Bronze Medals of Valor.

He and a colleague were looking at a .357 Magnum to see if the weapon had been altered so it would fire with a lighter touch. The elder Bloesch and his partner were in the police stables locker room when Officer Robert Mahoney passed the gun to Bloesch. It fired a single shot that struck him in the head.

Bloesch stayed with his grandparents while his mother was at the hospital. Searching for any information, he turned on a San Francisco radio station that announced his father’s name and the fact he died.

Today, Bloesch makes it his mission to keep names private until family have been notified.

He still meets people who remember his late father. They’ll see his name tag and ask, “Are you related to Jim?” Bloesch said.

When Bloesch went to motorcycle school, the lead instructor had worked with his father and shared several stories.

“It’s funny how things come full circle,” he said.

The married father of two adult children, Bloesch said he doesn’t carry a grudge against his dad’s partner.

“He went through a horrible process,” Bloesch said. “It’s something he has to live with the rest of his life.”

Bloesch wants to leave the same legacy his father did.

“He left a positive impact on a lot of people,” Bloesch said. “I want to leave that same mark.”

Just like his father, it’s about doing good, being nice and treating people right, Bloesch said.

Retired Police Officer
New York Police Department

September 2, 2019

Rest in peace Officer Bloesch.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 2, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. You are a Hero. You are honored and remembered on the 30th anniversary of your EOW.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

August 2, 2018

You'd be proud of Matt

Anon

March 21, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Bloesch. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 22, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the twenty-first 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

August 4, 2009

Two decades have passed but you have not been forgotten. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol. You are a true hero.

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

August 2, 2008

On the 20th anniversary of Officer Bloesch's death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Officer Bloesch is not forgotten.

Agent Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

August 2, 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 6, 2007

I am a friend of you son who is also a Police Officer. I have worked with him for 6 years and our family has become very close. I honor your son's friendship and his work ethic is top-notch, so you raised him right and you would be proud of him.

February 8, 2006

Every officer here should have a reflection. On this day you are remembered. Thank you for your service.
04-19-05

April 19, 2005