Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I'll never forget your Dad, his loyalty and service to his community and family. He was full of promise and determination. I will never forget Patrolman Brackett, though I wasn't quite 13 at the time. Thank you, Lisa, for your and your Mom, Amelia's sacrifice. John Fitzgerald

Citizen
Appreciative stranger

March 29, 2024

It's been a while since anyone has written a reflection. I still become speechless when trying to write something heart felt, but to be honest, that part of my heart was broken the day you left, and although time has helped, my heart will always have a piece missing. I wish I had the blessing of you raising me and I wish I had more of your family in my life to learn about the man you were. I guess the universe had other plans.

Lisa
Daughter

July 17, 2023

My name is Frank Guyon and I was the ring bearer in Ross and Amila's wedding. Lisa I remember your mom asking me to take you for a walk around the block in the coach while she and my mom talked. I was 9 years old at that time. I was 5 when I was ring bearer. Your dad was like a big brother to me, and your mom was like a big sister. My cellphone # is 267-266-7037. I would love to hear from you. Hope you are well.

Francis Guyon
Ring bearer

June 8, 2021

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

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

July 15, 2020

My dad (Brian Stephen Burns) and Ross were first cousins, and were best friends as children.
My grandmother Helen was Ross' father Frank's sister.
My dad never stopped talking about Ross, and the tragedy of him being taken so young. It made him bitter in some ways.
It's sad we in Nova Scotia lost touch. I've done a DNA kit in hopes of connecting with distant relatives. I hope it works.

Barbra Burns-Bahadur
Cousin

June 14, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Brackett.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2019

Ross's father Frank was a brother to my father Bob Brackett. Dad was reminiscing this evening and told again how Ross tragically lost his life. He recalled Ross was attending St Mary's University in Halifax before Frank and Gerry moved to the US. We wondered if there might be something found through Google and , indeed, we found this Officer Down site. Clearly Ross's memory is cherished and honoured by many people. What a man! If any of Ross's family would like to connect with a Brackett relative in Halifax, Nova Scotia please feel welcome to do so.

Sincerely,

Seana Brackett-Mills
[email protected]

Seana Brackett, cousin
Halifax, Nova Scotia Brackett relative

March 22, 2019

We were just sharing family stories and Dad, Uncle Bobbie, told again the tragic story of the end of Ross's life. It is really meaningful to see this website and read these comments. Clearly Ross's memory is cherished and honoured. Dad/Bob remembers when Ross moved to the US with parents Frank and Gerry.

[email protected] (Bob)
[email protected] (Seana)

Bob Brackett & Seana Brackett-Mil
Uncle Ross, brother of Ross's father Frank & cousin

March 22, 2019

This is so nice to read. I had no idea that he was going to be promoted to detective. I only get tid bits here and there. It was less than a month before my 3rd birthday when my dad was lost his life. I didn't know this was here but will be looking often now..

The only memories I have are the ones shared by other people. Thank you all for this.. I have tears of joy and of sadness.

Lisa Brackett
Daughter

December 21, 2018

Ross, I think of you often. I knew you and spoke with you that fateful morning as you left the 2nd floor locker room, stopped by West Detectives squad room to say hello. You had passed the detective exam and were to be promoted, told me you wanted to work West. What a great guy you were. 90 minutes later I was the assigned West detective to your shooting, along with Homicide George Arnold. I have never stopped praying for you. You are a true hero, in that you were unarmed when you openly pursued and closed in on an armed thief making the ultimate sacrifice. It ha been 50 years, my friend. God bless you.

Ed Regan, Detective, Sergeant
Philadelphia PA PD

September 5, 2018

Officer Brackett,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the USN. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Fair Winds And Following Seas

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

July 15, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. You are honored and remembered on the 50th anniversary of your EOW.

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

July 15, 2018

Hey Uncle Ross. It's been 48 years since you were taken from us. I'm a Training Sgt. at the S.C Dept. of Corrections now. I was teaching Weapon Retention this week and showed your page as part of the class. It's a sobering reminder of the dangers of our profession. But I like to think that the training I'm giving (passionately of course), might save another family from a loss that never goes away. You just learn to live with it. I still talk to Dad & David about You. Trying to fill in the empty whole left when You died.
I grew up "Larry's Boy" and had Your Name. Hopefully I've done both of you proud.

[email protected]

Sgt. Ross Brackett (nephew)
S.C Dept. of Corrections

July 29, 2016

In reflection of my father-in-law Officer William G. Hancock . I would like to share a little known fact. My husband was named after you. Ross Brackett Hancock. He had told my husband since birth, he was named after a wonderful partner. He saved every article about you and your family. We inherited all the old newspaper clippings. Even one from when Lisa was 25. May he rest in peace and I know you and the best Dad in law are together again. (since 2011)

BECKY
Father in law's Partner

July 24, 2016

I did not know you, but stood as the 7th. Police district honor guard at your funeral ceremony. I think about that day often as at the time I was a 22 year old Police Officer, and realized how dangerous the job can be. RIP

Jim Cunnane Police Officer
Philadelphia Police Department Ret.

September 27, 2015

Such a sad day in Philadelphia, a wife lost here husband, a child lost here father, the city lost a man willing to protect and serve. To this day his partner questions what if, what could I have done differently.

Lisa Brackett, your father's partner would like the opportunity to meet you. Please contact me at [email protected]
267-515-3176

Beth McCurry
Citizen of Philadelphia

May 23, 2014

Will never forget you and how brave you were.

mae rossi
cousin

April 3, 2014

45yrs ago yesterday you were taken. You are not forgotten Dad.

Lisa Brackett
Daughter

July 16, 2013

Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like had you not been taken from me so early. I saw your grave for the first time when mommy died in September. You were the love of her life and in the end, she wanted to be with you. I'm not sure if I can go back but your granddaughter visits. I love you and I miss you <3

Lisa Brackett
Daughter

August 11, 2012

Ross, what a great person to remember and a wonderful site to honor you. I am a cousin who like everyone close, was terribly saddened by the news on that July day. I will never forget it as my immediate family was in the Pocono's on vacation when the news hit up there. As we traveled home to Phila, the news was everywhere. It's been almost 44 years. I was 12 years old at the time and I will never forget. I have often thought of family gatherings and how Ross always had a smile on his face. Thank you for watching over us all over all these years.
God Bless, Don

Don Trevelino, Jr.
Cousin

April 11, 2012

I'm so glad for this opportunity. I remember reading about his death and was stunned by it but at the time there was no way to do more than cry. I still have a copy of the newspaper report and have thought about Ross many times over the years; he was the first person I thought of when I saw this site.

Ross and I served together in the Navy. He was a great guy and we had a lot of fun together. I'll always remember the music and the laughter.

Rest in peace my friend.

Pete McNulty
shipmate USS Wm V Pratt

January 19, 2012

Will always rember remember you Ross D bracket a brave off


icer in the Philadephia Police Dept. So brave on the day you

were killled on duty 43 years ago. I was a bridesmaid in your

wedding party. Will remember you forever. Rest in peace Am

men.

Cousin Mae

ross bracket
cousin

August 31, 2011

Thank you, Patrolman Brackett, for keeping us safe. You made the ultimate sacrifice. Words cannot express my gratitude, even these 43 years later. Rest well in God's company, noble friend.

John Fitzgerald
Philadelphia resident

July 15, 2011

I was so touched to see this site and to find out that my cousin is being honored in this way. Ross was my first cousin and like a brother to me as we spent our early years in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. So many times I think of him, of the loss that both his wife Lee suffered, and of his beautiful daughter Lisa and what she has missed over the years. Ross, both you and your family are still in my heart.

Linda Smith (nee Hubley/Leonard)
His first cousin
June 24, 2011

Linda Hubley Smith
first cousin

June 24, 2011

Thank you Sir for you bravery, courage and for the sacrifice made on that fateful night. You are a true Hero.

Sgt. T. Henshaw
Bell Gardens Police Dept., CA.

November 24, 2010