Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Jim and I went to the Houston police Academy together. I was lucky enough to sit next to him as he and I became very good friends. after the graduation from the police academy we went to separate police stations the 18 weeks that Jim and I spent together at the Academy, I will never forget. Jim was compassionate, friendly to everyone and just a great guy to know. 34 years later I still remember all the good times we had. What a horrible loss.

Richard Brown

Richard Brown, Police Officer
Houston Police Department

November 17, 2023

Biz was one of my dearest friends at Lamar. We served as student trainers together. We were in the same class. He head the best sense of humor and always wanted to serve. It was no surprise when he left Athletic Training and became a Police Officer. I think of him often and will stop and pay my respects to him tomorrow 7/1/2022. Rest In Peace my brother.

Mark Martin
Civilian Friend

June 30, 2022

I was officer Boswell's dispatcher the day he was killed. It was definitely horrible. Officer Boswell BLESSED BE it was fun working with you and officer Steel.

Morton dispatch
Former Dispatcher

February 28, 2022

Rest in peace Officer Boswell.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 21, 2020

Dear Jim,
The TCHS Class of 1978 will be gathering to commemorate our 40th anniversary this month. You will be remembered on that night and you will be with us in our hearts.
Your friends and classmates from Texas City, Class of 78

Alumnus
TCHS Class of 1978 Alumni

September 13, 2018

I never got to meet Boz but know his partner well.

Honored to stand for him today at the roll call ceremony at the HPD Officers Memorial.

Senior Police Officer Steven Burrell
Houston Police Department

May 18, 2018

Boz was a great friend of mine and everybody who knew him. I remember him as having a photographic memory. He would look at stacks of suspects wanted photo's and while on patrol he would spot them immediately. He would remember their names and what they were wanted for. That was the type of Officer Boz I would never forget. A true Police Officer I will always miss.......

Sr. P.O. R Pedraza
HPD

January 12, 2017

Boz was my buddy and fellow officer.I just found audio tape when Boz was scalped and beaten in sw Houston before his death not to much later.GOD he was a funny man I will never forget.I remember when his roommate ,now assist chief McKinney,could not be a pall bearer at Boz's funeral.Mckinney heard of his buddy's death and out of overwhelming emotion smashed his fist into a wall and broke bones.GREAT JOB 15,16 and 17 district for catching what we call a "turd".

retired sr p.o. J Mcphail
HPD

November 4, 2016

Boz was my trainer in high school, we called him Doc he was one of the funniest guys I ever met we developed a great friendship and loved to be around him during school He was a great inspiration to me and one of the reasons I too became a Law enforcement officer, My son now is a Texas State trooper and I pray that he may never meet that same fate but I also hope that he does the job and can help as many people as Doc.

Lt. John Hebert Jr.
Liberty Police Dept.

May 6, 2016

Boz and I were dorm mates and athletic trainers together throughout his college days at Lamar. There are quite a few stories that involve keggers and $2 liquor purchased in Nuevo Laredo. After he graduated he was the Athletic Trainer at Sinton High School. He was loved there and greatly respected. We remained great friends both then and after he started with H.P.D. He allowed me to ride along with him a few times and we still took road trips together until his life was stolen 26 years ago tonight. Although I was now one of his "civilian" friends he still welcomed me and I had the privilege of meeting quite a few of his brothers in blue. He loved serving as an officer, and had found his true calling. He always had a great cop story for me when we visited. His sense of humor was second to none. He could have easily been a stand up comedian. After we took him to his final resting place in his birth state and home of his parents in Mississippi, some people were just getting his Christmas cards. It STILL hurts that so many of us were cheated out of him. I remain friends and still travel with some of the Lamar crew. He is always remembered, especially in Vegas. We will pour another one out for you next time brother. I pray you are one of the first to greet me when its my time.

Phil Harrison
Civilian Friend

December 9, 2015

RIP Officer Boswell. 26 years ago you were tragically taken and the thin blue line became that much thinner. Sounds like you were one hell of a cop. Rest in peace brother.

"Blue lives Matter"

Steve Van Slyke, retired Police Officer
El Cajon Police Department

December 9, 2015

Boz, 26 years have passed since that day. You would have had over 30 years with HPD by now and you may have even retired already. Many from our class have retired and there aren't too many of us left. I think about you often. You were a good friend and great guy to be around. RIP my friend.

Lieutenant Randy Beaty
Houston Police Department

December 9, 2015

To all my brothers and sisters in the thin blue line. I was partners with Boz and I shot the man that killed my partner. Unfortunately he lived 14 more years almost to the day before the State of Texas put Ogan to death.Everybody always says after someone is gone, "oh they were great". Boz was more than great and I miss him a lot. He was killed Dec.9,1989 and I never will stop thinking about him. I found this sight by googling his name almost 30 years later. I wish everyone could have met Boz but you will just have to read about how much he meant to us in all of the other postings. I thank everyone for what they have said about Boz, his parents and family. I remember after his parents bought pizza at court for everyone including Ogan's parents and brother. If I ever had any doubt as to why Boz was as good of a person as he was, his parents showed us all why Boz was a great man.

Clay Morgan Gainer HPD retired 29 years
Officer and Boz's partner 5-15-2015

May 15, 2015

Every December, I remember the Officer we affectionately called "Boz". I pray that his family knows he is not forgotten. I remember crazy Golf rounds and "choir practices" with Jim and his amazing sense of humor. I remember being in a police vehicle chase that resulted in my being seriously injured when the shop (patrol car) I was driving wound up in a ditch, upside down and on fire. I remember the day I returned to work, the first person I saw was Boz and he immediately asked how I was doing. I told him I was good to go. During Roll Call, Jim walks up to the lectern and calls me up front. He had an 8x10 framed photo of the destroyed shop, upside down, in the ditch. He also had the keys to the shop, which in front of everyone, he ceremoniously presented to me as if it were an award. I am still with HPD and starting my thirtieth year and I still miss Boz, especially around this time of year.

Jeffrey Bodie, Senior Officer
Houston Police Department

December 7, 2014

never forgotten...RIP

Anonymous

December 9, 2013

Heroes live forever, Officer Boswell, and we will never forget. Thank you for the sacrifice you made for the citizens of Houston and the great State of Texas.

Greater Houston C.O.P.S.

December 9, 2013

I was the "Second Chair" Prosecutor on this case. My Job was pretty much to do the Opening on Closing Arguments to the Jury for Guilt and Punisment (In Texas the Jury assesses Punishment). It was an Honor to fight for Officer Bozwell so long ago. I WILL never forget waiting on the verdict until around midnight.

It was surreal and very touching to see the Bozwell family order pizza for everyone "camping out" in the courtroom - INCLUDING the Defendant's Family. It's been said that in a crisis a person's character is not created...it's revealed.

God Bless you to the Bozwell Family and Gainer. How's that "hog leg” 45 serving you"? May the Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you All...

Judge Larry Standley

Judge Larry Standley
Harris County Criminal Court At Law 6

February 26, 2013

I trained Gainer but never got to know Boz very well because he had worked evening shift mostly before coming to night shift. I knew who he was mostly because of his HPD cartoons and had seen him around the station at shift change. I had also heard his name a lot because he was arresting many of the crooks i was looking for on his evening shift before i could get to work and look for them on the night shift. When he came to night shift and paired with Gainer i knew they were out there taking care of business and Houston neighborhoods were safer. Boz was one of the few officers i knew who could read between the lines of a call slip and go right to the crook, there werent many who could do that. The night he was killed the last call he and Gainer ran was to check by with me on a burglary of a residence call on Chimney Rock. They helped me clear the house and got back in service. Fifteen mins later he was dead. I got to the scene very quickly and ended up driving his and Gainers patrol car back to the station and unloading their equipment. No one drove that patrol car for about a week, during that week at least on night shift that patrol cars siren would malfuntion and start sounding. I was one of a number of officers who had to go out and turn it off and it mostly occurred at the start of the shift. One of those times i had just arrived at the station to start my shift when it started sounding i went over and turned it off before i went in. I dont know if it malfuntioned on any of the other shifts but i have always thought thats just like Boz always the prankster. Many on night shift got to say good bye to Boz at the hospital before he was taken off life support that night.

R. West, Police Officer
Houston PD

December 14, 2012

I was off the night that Boz got killed. I woke up the next afternoon (we worked nights at the same station), flipped on the news and saw that he had been killed. Another friend of mine out of the same station and shift had been killed two weeks earlier while escorting a funeral (we had eaten breakfast together about four hours earlier). About 25 officers total worked night shift at that station. It was a dangerous time and place to work. I still miss them both.

J. S. Siscoe, Lieutenant (retired)
Houston PD

December 14, 2012

Rest in peace, Officer Boswell. Your service and sacrifice to the citizens of Houston and the great State of Texas are not forgotten.

Greater Houston C.O.P.S.

December 9, 2012

I love you and miss you!

Kayli Boswell
Neice

August 11, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 22nd 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.

I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

I am glad that final justice was rendered in your case and that your family did not have to wait decades for it.
Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

December 10, 2011

Rest in peace, Officer Boswell. You're not forgotten.

Greater Houston C.O.P.S.

December 9, 2011

I had no idea what he was up to till one night,while working at the local newspaper, his death was reported,and it was a shock..we had ran together in school and had some good times,it hurt to see his family so shattered,and I hope they have found some peace....


Robert Haskin Jr.

Robert Haskin Jr.
friend

October 26, 2011

I'm proud to say that Jim was my best friend through junior high and high school. We lost track of one another after he went to Lamar University, and I have regretted it ever since. I went to his Memorial Service in Houston and stood with our friends John, and his brother Paul.I miss you Jim, and think of you often. Rest in Peace Brother!

Frank Green
Friend

October 22, 2011