Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

As this sad anniversary draws near I keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless each and every one of you.

Sherri Corr Philipkoski
Sister, Joe Corr EOW 2/27/06

December 6, 2010

In reading the loving reflections left by his friends and co-workers I can see that he was very well respected and is sorely missed.

To his parents, I share your anquish in having lost a beloved son in the line of duty. I know that it feels like a big chunk of our heart is missing, and how our lives can be forever altered in a matter of minutes.

I am so sorry that Boz was robbed of his life so tragically, but through his heroism and the profound sense of duty with which he lived his life, he made an immeasurable difference. May his spirit continue to soar and may his memory continue to inspire.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service Officer Boswell gave to his community and the citizens of Texas, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on December 9, 1989.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

October 14, 2010

We just commemorated the 20th aniversary of his death. He was a police academy classmate and friend. He was a talented cartoon artist with a great sense of humor. He was one of those guys that everyone liked to be around, and was a dedicated officer. His friends at HPD will never forget him.

Lieutenant Randy Beaty
Houston Police Department

January 13, 2010

Thinking of you and your family, know they miss you everyday. Sonny and Maratha you are in our prayers.

Connie Barker F.W.B. Fl
Mother of Clint Walker Prattville P.D. E.O.W. 1-14-04

December 9, 2009

RIP.You are not forgotten by those who knew and loved you.

Anonymous

March 4, 2009

Officer Boswell, Rest In Peace! Thank you for your service. This year will mark 20 years since you were taken from your family and fellow LEO'S. Your life was cut to short but your memory will live FOREVER!!!!!! I have read so many of these tragic events and wonder if this insane violence will ever stop againist those Who Serve & Protect!?

Detention Deputy G. Carew
Seminole CO. Sheriff's Office, FL J.E.P.C.F.

March 3, 2009

You are a true hero. Rest in peace.

William Woodburn
Private Citizen

February 19, 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

February 13, 2008

Boz and I were good friends in the academy. We ate lunch together and hung out together. When we graduated we went to different stations but would talk when we saw each other at the jail or downtown. He was a great guy. Every year on the aniversary of his death I send a message to all of the car computer terminals and dispatch terminals reminding everyone of his sacrifice. He will never be forgotten.

Randy Beaty, Sergeant
Houston Police Dept

January 29, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on this anniversary.

Former N.H. Police Officer
Fauquier County, VA

December 9, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

vandenberghe
manchester, nh

December 5, 2007

Officer Boswell, thank your for your service. Niether you, nor your sacrifice, will ever be forgotten!

Rest in peace.

Michelle - wife of Retired LEO

August 29, 2007

G-d Bless.

December 9, 2006

May you sleep safe with Our Lord and may He give your loved ones many Blessing.

July 14, 2006

I was very fortunate to have "Boz" as a friend, a partner, and a union brother. Those that knew Boz knew what fearless meant. He was a cop's cop. Loyal to the department, the union, and his fellow officers.

I'm happy that he left his sense of humor with us. Boz was the resident cartoonist for the union and looking back on some of his stuff in the union rag brings back some pleasant memories. Boz captured the essence of what being a cop is all about, good and bad. Sometimes life is funny and sometimes you need to vent and Boz's cartoons were just the thing to either laugh at or ponder on how astute Boz was at catching our emotions.

I remember heading back to the station near the end of the shift and hearing Boz on the radio as he was chasing a suspect down Gasmer. When I got there Boz already had him bagged and tagged and Boz told me to go on in because he had it covered. I reminded him that he was in the parking lot of one of the apartment complexes that was our "bread and butter" for making dope cases. I also kind of admonished him for "gettin' into sumthin'" at the end of the shift. If you know Boz, then you know what he said. Boz said, "Johnnie Mack, I ain't caught nothin' all day and I wasn't going back empty-handed." Knowing Boz the way that I know Boz, he would have waited through the next shift until he put in what he thought was his day's work for a day's pay.

It is a privilege to be able to honor Boz tomorrow after he left for choir practice 16 years ago. He was a cop by choice and a hero by chance and I will never forget him.

Sergeant Johnnie McFarland
Houston Police Department

December 8, 2005

Your story really struck a chord with me. Such a senseless death. Thank goodness Texas justice was swift for this killer and he has been given his just reward. I am so sorry for your parents and entire family. Even though it has been many years-I know they still hurt and still miss you deeply. I pray that God will continue to grant them the grace they need for each day without you. Thank you for your service to Texas.

NC Police Sergeant

November 5, 2005

My friend!

Josh
HPD

October 10, 2005

I WAS IN THE ACADEMY CLASS WITH KEN AND CAN TELL YOU HE WAS A FUNNY WARM PERSON WHO WAS WELL RESPECTED IN THE CLASS OF 1985. WHEN I FOUND OUT FROM MY OLD FRIEND RAY CALDERON WHO IS STILL A ACTIVE MEMBER OF HPD IT JUST BROKE OUR SOULS, TO THINK HOW SHORT HIS LIFE WAS HERE. REST IN PEACE MAY GOD LOOK OUT FOR YOUR SOUL. JAY H REITER NYPD

DET JAY HADLEY REITER
NEW YORK CITY POLICE

December 5, 2004

I thank you for your service and salute you for your sacrifice.

A grateful citizen.

September 22, 2004

Hello Boz, I am writing you in Heaven to let you know how much I appreciate the job you did here on earth. I have met your parents thru COPS and I am honored to know them. They continue to lift others up even though I know it is sometimes hard to stand up on there on. The price we had to pay to know each other was way to much, but I am glad to know them. I will continue to thank God for your parents and your family and until we meet in heaven stay 10-8, Blue Angel. Iwalu, Pat Carruth

Pat Carruth
Mom of Jeremy

November 3, 2003

Officer James Charles Boswell, You will not be forgotten. Rest In Peace Brother.

August 29, 2003

REST EASY BROTHER

prattville al

Jim , your mom and i will never have to worry about your killer again. We are just waiting for the day Our Lord will call us home and we can be together again.

Sonny Boswell , Father

Hi Jim - I, of course, never had the chance to meet you but I have met your mom and dad through our Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) and they are special people. I just want you to know that tonight, November 19, 2002, justice was served for you. After 13 long years, your murderer was finally executed at Huntsville State Prison. My husband and I were there with your parents and your siblings and friends and co-workers. We met Morgan - what a team you two must have been. So now you can truly rest in peace. Justice has been served and you will never be forgotten.

Jean Hill, President
Greater Houston COPS