Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Well Paul, here we are, 11 years later. I am tardy with a posting again......so much going on. The family did get together on October 30th at your site (this is the first year that I can recall that the EOW day is on a Saturday--same day of the week as when you left us). In case you were wondering, Virginia passed a new law effective July of this year that we cannot release balloons.......that did not hamper us getting together and doing something special. So, we decided to do sparklers. That was a sight to behold. I had Zach buy them at the end of July 4th firework sales so we would be sure to have them for the get-together. To our surprise, we had a LOT of smoke! They were sparklers but they also had a lot of smoke and the smell was something else too. As usual, we got together at the house and had pizza. Two officers attended from MPD and the Chief from PWC PD was with us with the sparklers, etc. Another adventure for the family. Today (November 1, 2021) , as I write this, it is my 80th birthday -- another milestone. Family coming tonight to celebrate the birthday with a lasagna dinner -- you are missed!

Dad
November 1, 2021

November 1, 2021

Happy Birthday Paul!


Dad

Hector Dittamo

August 25, 2021

Although I never worked directly with you, your memory recalls my mind when I see your memorial and safety page in the Station houses I pass through.
You touched my heart several times..I have six children and I feel the pain of your passing in my mind as I know your son and family must miss you greatly. I pray for them and the strength for them to carry on. May your son alway remember you through the memory of your family and your legacy live on. God rest you easy my brother.


Metropolitan police officer JW

Officer
Metropolitan police DC

June 29, 2021

Although I never worked directly with you, your memory recalls my mind when I see your memorial and safety page in the Station houses I pass through.
You touched my heart several times..I have six children and I feel the pain of your passing in my mind as I know your son and family must miss you greatly. I pray for them and the strength for them to carry on. May your son alway remember you through the memory of your family and your legacy live on. God rest you easy my brother.


Metropolitan police officer JW

Officer
Metropolitan police DC

June 29, 2021

10 years Paul.....Oh, Paul! How many times I have re-lived that night and continue to remember. You are missed by your family, most especially with family events. Alex is getting so grown up...... We will be remembering at the cemetery and then pizza again, we could not skip it due to any pandemic or Zeta storm looming in the area. Watch for the balloons......

Dad

October 30, 2020

Officer Dittamo,
On today, the 10th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the District of Columbia. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 30, 2020

Last week, your birthday and wedding anniversary came and went so quickly -- it seems as if it was especially quick this year with the coronavirus affecting everything we do everyday. You are missed, particularly when the family is all together for one family event or another. Alex is getting so grown up, you would have been very proud of him. You remain in our thoughts and prayers EVERY day.

HECTOR DITTAMO
Father of Paul M. Dittamo

September 1, 2020

Sitting here and a memory of you and I crossed my mind. Over ten years ago we were in mountain bike training and I wanted to quit so badly. But you wouldn't allow me to. You told me that if I could hang in there with Simic during DT's then I could definitely get through training. You always had a heart of gold and I have never forgotten you. Praying for your family and loved ones always. Class of 2009-4 for ever.

J. Long
Classmate

March 6, 2020

This years mandatory departmental training “PDT” goes over drivers training. We watch a video of your story, listen to your widows story, watch the nearby video of the crash response , and hear the radio calls trying to get you help. Not only is it to remember you and your sacrifice, but to also remind us that responding to scenes is just as dangerous as being on scene.

MPD still remembers your sacrifice almost a decade later. God continue to be with your family and remind your family that MPD is there for them. We were told in class that your son looks just like you.

Police Officer
DC Metropolitan Police

November 21, 2019

Thinking of you and your family.

G. Birkholz Mother of
Officer Craig Birkholz EOW 3/20/2011 Fond du Lac PD

October 30, 2019

9 years ago........how can we forget -- we will always remember! Jeff from the MPD Family Support Team will be picking up Alex from school prior to our family gathering. Jeff and the other MPD FST guys and gals were, and still are, great people and helped us along our path of hope. You would like every one of the FST members. Mom and I went to Mass this morning. The family will be getting together again at the cemetery and then at the house for pizza......you are missed, not only today but everyday.

Dad

Hector T Dittamo
Father

October 30, 2019

Happy Birthday Paul -- although it appears that I am tardy since your birthday was the 25th, well, I am, not because I wanted to be, but because I was in Camdenton, Missouri at C.O.P.S. training and I had no desktop to work with. While there, other survivors who were at the training shared your birthday remembrance along with me. You will not be forgotten as long as I can help it. Today, we celebrate mom's birthday and pause to reflect on your wedding day. You are in our thoughts and prayers always!

Dad

Dad

August 27, 2019

Paul, the family is getting together again today in memory of you....you are especially missed at every family gathering. Hard to believe it is eight years already. You remain in our thoughts every day......how can we forget?

Dad

Hector Dittamo
Father

October 30, 2018

Today, I give homage to an amazing Officer. 5 years ago, when I came to 7d I was giving a St. Michael pendant from your parents wishing me luck on my journey into the Seventh District. I still have it on my vest. I never been out on the street without it. As we remember you on this day each year I think of the amazing officer you must have been because your parents show us every year what it felt to be their child. I appreciate you Mr. and Mrs. Hector Dittamo. May god continue to bless us with your presence and the memory of your son. Rip Officer Paul Dittamo. May you never be forgotten.

Officer Tiarra Hall
MPD Seventh District

October 30, 2018

John 5:28, 29 - "Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out". I pray that everyone can find peace in knowing that we will see this officer as well as many others again in Paradise soon. Until then, please accept my condolences.

A.W. Montgomery
Concerned Citizen

September 29, 2018

Happy Birthday Paul!

Dad

Hector Dittamo
Father

August 25, 2018

Paul, I will be riding my bike, in your memory, to Police Week this year in the 2018 Law Enforcement United Rode to Hope. You are not forgotten!

Trooper J.A. Vance
Virginia State Police

March 24, 2018

Paul, you are not forgotten…..we are getting together again this year to remember the many good times we all had together……how can we ever forget?

Dad

October 30, 2017

God bless you brother 7D will never forger you

Officer Dennis Sfoglia
DC Police

August 30, 2017

Paul: Happy Birthday! Today, mom and I attended the monthly MPD Academy graduation ceremony, and the Chief, as part of his remarks to attendees, made special mention of it being your birthday. We thought that was very special and it was appreciated. You remain in our prayers and thoughts.

Dad and Mom
Parents

August 25, 2017

Thinking of you and praying for peace for your entire family.

Sister of Gerard (Roddy) Burke
Sally Butzke

November 1, 2016

Paul will never be forgotten. His loss will not be in vain...for we all shall stay in the fight!

MPO Mark Treu
MPDC Sixth District/Midwatch.

October 31, 2016

Well Paul, we went to Mass last night and took supper to your "mids-shift" at 7D, then this morning, after Mass, we had a celebration balloon release at the cemetery and Alex wanted to let me know that he could not have the string tied around his arm before we were ready to release the balloons because he said it needed to be free so it can get to his daddy. We all enjoyed pizza at the house (and watched the Redskins tie their game in London)......you were missed (an understatement)!

Dad

October 30, 2016

I saw this incident happen and tonight after seeing another incident with an officer I couldn't help but remember this young officer that put it all on the line to Protect and Serve. My Wife and I were lost in D.C getting off I-95 to sesrch for gas. We heard all the lights and sirens and pulled to the right to wait until all officers passed. As we waited the first two or three cars came through the intersection. As we were about to start driving again we saw Officer Dittamo start through the light and swerve hard to miss a car that had started through the light. He hit a light pole right beside us. I will always remember the sound, the lights, the smell of rubber. The car that caused this
Just pulled off. We got out to help but were quickly moved away from the scene by other officers. I wanted to help so bad yet was helpless as his partner moaned. I gave statements to the Metro police that night and prayed that this young officer would make it. By the time we made it to Ny we found out he passed. I'm so sorry to the family I was unable to help. I will forever remember this, I'm so sorry.

Swail Walker Jr
Truck Driver from South Carolina

April 9, 2014

Thinking of you and your family today. I hold your family in my heart's embrace for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Thank you for your service. Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater

February 2, 2014