Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

it brings me too tear when I think of Joe today. my father passed may 25, 2010 . my dad worked as special police for over 45 years. joe and my dad were like bothers. we saw him like a uncle as my dad Conrad Bowman was adopted. He had gotten joe too work as a special police for ingleside police station. my dad lived right across the police station road on san jose ave. I am sure many people who come too know Joe they knew he was a kind and caring man and loved working as a special police officers and my dad loved it too serving san francisco. I see those shooters are still at large and the years passed I am sure they come to the end of their lives or they are locked up in prison for doing more crimes. Justice will be served as Joe been in peace for 48 years. san francisco lost a great officer and my dad went on working 45 years and retired for san francisco special police officer: conrad bowman . I am conrad bowman daughter. we loved joe .

estella bowman

August 19, 2024

I knew Joe.

He was a kind and dedicated man.
I worked at the Arco station directly across the freeway from the pharmacy where he was shot.

He stopped in earlier in the evening for a cup of machine made coffee.

Civilian - John Olsen
N/A

June 1, 2022

The actual location of Joe's tragic death was at a pharmacy located on San Bruno Ave and Silliman Street (off US-101). I knew Officer Boswell as a kid and knew some of the hostages. My father saw and spoke to Joe at Bell Market prior to this tragic incident. RIP

James C White (Officer retired)
CHP

May 4, 2022

Joe was a good guy. He'd drop by the Arco gas where I worked nightly. We'd have a cup of coffee out of one of those old machines and shoot the shit for 10 minutes or so. That night he came by as usual. Soon after he left, I heard sirens for 20 minutes straight. I could see reflections of the lights flashing off the other side of the freeway.

Joe never returned.

J.E. Olsen
Private

June 16, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

May 3, 2018

IN HONORE CASORUM
The promise: Always honored, never forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

May 3, 2015

Officer Boswell worked in the Portola District where I grew up on Dartmouth St. My Father would always speak to Joe when we shopped at Bell Market. I would alway wave as a kid to Joe. Joe spoke with my Dad only a couple of hours prior to his murder. He was only going to into Golden State Pharmacy to pick up some items for his wife. I went to school with of the employees their at the time of the robbery. RIP Officer Boswell.

Officer JC White ID #13997
CHP- N.Sac Area

October 14, 2012

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

Officer 11169

January 22, 2012

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

May 3, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 32nd 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

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

May 3, 2009

I met Joe in 1971 when I transfered from Park Police Station to the Northern Police Station and it was Joe that broke me in on the foot patrol for Japan Town. We were partners till I transfered to the old Potrero Police Station in 1973. Joe soon wanted to come to the Bayview to work with me on foot patrol on San Bruno Avenue. We had always been close during the Japan Town beat, we almost caught one of the Zebra Killers after they shot two Salvation Army Workers on Geary Street across from the Japan Town garage. We were in that garage when we heard the shots and we gave chase for the Zebra Killers into an apartment complex and searched to no avail. We were good as partners on-duty and were good friends off-duty.

I still feel very bad about Joe walking into a robbery in progress and losing his life for it was that night we had agreed to switch shifts in order for both of us to have an extra day off, we had always walked the San Bruno beat solo. I truly lost a friend whom I respected with all my heart. I thank the members of the P.O.A. for remembering Joe in your Journal.

Love you Joe,

Sam

Samuel J. Reyes, Sr.
S. F. Patrol Special Police Officer

May 26, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

May 5, 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

September 20, 2007

As I walk beat 72 this weekend I will think of you Officer Boswell. The Patrol Specials are still out there doing what you did for 20 years and others have done for over 150 years. May we never forget you, the citizens you served or our purpose as Police Officers. God Bless your family and keep a watchful eye on my back as I serve.

Dave

PSO Palmer 2594
SFPD

January 6, 2007

Officer Boswell,
On today, the 28th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of San Francisco.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

May 3, 2005