Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in Peace Officer Billa!

Lt. Josh Champagne
Lafourche Parish Sheriffs Office

February 21, 2018

"Somebody killed a policeman today,
And a part of America died.
A piece of our country he swore to protect
Will be buried with him at his side.
The suspect who shot him will stand up in court,
With counsel demanding his rights,
While a young widowed mother must work for her kids
And spend alone many long nights.
The beat that he walked was a battlefield, too,
Just as if he'd gone off to war.
Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half mast,
To his name they will add a gold star.
Yes, somebody killed a policeman today,
It happened in your town or mine.
While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors,
A cop put his life on the line.
Now, his ghost walks a beat on a dark city street,
And he stands at each new rookie's side.
He answered the call and gave us his all,
And a part of America died."

Author Unknown

E.C. Proft Cheif Deputy retired
ICSO

February 21, 2018

Rest in peace brother, we have the watch now. Thank you for your service, you will not be forgotten. God bless the family, friends, and co-workers of Officer Billa during this time of tragic and senseless loss.

Deputy Donnie Meaders
Okfuskee County (OK) S.O.

February 21, 2018

To the friends and family of Ofc. Justin Billa especially, and the MPD as a whole, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Christopher Ivie
Son of former MPD officer Wayne Ivie

February 21, 2018

"Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for others."
Thank you for answering the call brother, we will take watch from here.

Deputy T. Smith
Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Johnson County, Kansas

February 21, 2018

Thank you for your service. Praying for your wife and child. Rest In Peace brother.

Reed Findley
U.S. Customs

February 21, 2018

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE AND SERVICE

MAY YOU REST IN PEACE

Ret. TFC. Theresa Medcalf
Ga. State Patrol

February 21, 2018

TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES OF MOBILE POLICE DEPARTMENT, POLICE OFFICER JUSTIN BILLA.

My heart is filled with great sadness at learning of the lost of your loved one and fellow Police Officer.
We in the law enforcement community are a family, although our uniforms may be a different style and vary in color, a badge, shield or star may be pinned upon our chest. Our areas of enforcement may vary but our goals are the same, to Serve and Protect our communities.
We consist of many different agencies from across the nation, for we are: Municipal Police Officers, Sheriff’s Deputies, State Police Investigators, State Highway Patrol Troopers, Conservation Police Officers, College Campus Police Officers, Correctional Officers and Federal Agents just to name a few.
We patrol small towns, large cities, college campuses, county roads, state highways, state prisons, county jails, state parks and the United States Borders.
Whether active duty or retired, we are one family, a Law Enforcement Family, the thin blue line of protectors, brothers and sisters bonded together by HONOR, SERVICE and PRIDE.
Daily we honor our fallen brothers and sisters never forgetting their sacrifice and the sacrifices of their families.
Daily our position is clear that we will Serve and Protect our communities without faltering and with no hesitation.
Daily we show pride in our chosen profession LAW ENFORCEMENT, for we willingly walk the line of good over evil facing the unknown with courage keeping our trust and our faith in GOD.
We know that evil roam these streets and at any moment in the course of performing our duties the ultimate sacrifice might be required of us in the service to our community, for LAW ENFORCEMENT is not a job but a calling and only a few will make the decision to commit to that calling to serve for some will give all that they have.
ALL LIVES MATTER - LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SHOULD BE RESPECTED - If we don’t respond to that call for help, or investigate that suspicious subject(s), or stop for that stranded motorist, or rush to that call of shots fired then who will?
OFFICER BILLA
You did not die in vain.
You sacrificed your life in the service to the citizens in the City of Mobile in the State of Alabama with HONOR, PRIDE and DISTINCTION.
I’m proud to have worn the uniform of a law enforcement officer like you did.
I’m proud to have pinned the badge upon my chest like you did.
I’m proud to have Served and Protected my community as you did.
I’m proud to call you my BROTHER!
I commend you my fallen brother for making the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of your duty.
For you left us doing what you chose to do.
Performing a job you were trained to do.
Upholding the oath you swore to do.
Most importantly doing what you loved to do............ Serving and Protecting your community with Honor and Pride making a better and safer place for us all.
FOR THOSE WHO FIGHT FOR IT, “LIFE HAS A FLAVOR THE PROTECTED WILL NEVER KNOW.”
FINAL CALL
Officer Billa status............Officer Billa status............Officer Billa status............Attention All Units............Mobile Police Department, Police Officer Justin Billa having served the citizens in the City of Mobile in the State of Alabama with HONOR, PRIDE and DISTINCTION is now 10-42.
Rest In Peace my fallen BROTHER, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!!

Senior Master Investigator Cardell L. Dobbins #188 (Ret.)
Illinois Secretary of State Department of Police District 01, Region 01

February 21, 2018

I Have been to prison many times. But I understand it was me not the police. So I just wanted to say may God bless you officer Billa and I will pray for you and your family. Thank you for your service.

Jerry Rogers
None

February 21, 2018

Rest in Peace Officer Billa

Police Officer Ahmed Danso-Faried
White Plains Police Department

February 21, 2018

Thank you for your service Officer Billa. May God continue to embrace your Family!

Dave Ralls #1324
Retired Police Officer
Columbus, Ohio

February 21, 2018

RIP my brother. Another sad, sad day. Peace and prayers for your family, friends and fellow officers. Marty Mooney Det ( ret ) NYPD and son Alex active NYPD. Blue Knights XIX Rome NY/XXXII Syracuse NY.

Marty Mooney Det ( RET )
NYPD

February 21, 2018

Rest In Peace.

Field training officer ( retired ) Samue
Venice Police Department

February 21, 2018

A real "Hero" taken.
You helped make this world a safer place to live.
May God grant you eternal peace.
Prayers to your loved ones and to your department.

Det. Billy Russo (Ret)
Nassau County PD, NY

February 21, 2018

It is with heavy heart I mourn with the police family in Mobile. As a former Police officer in Montgomery, I experienced the loss of three of our officers in my time of service and know the pain all of his fellow officers, family and friends feel. Police work is a calling and every officer who swears to protect and serve understands the risks but when the ultimate sacrifice is made it reminds us all of the danger. Rest In Peace Justin. Thank you for your service.

Tom Leonard
Pensacola Florida

February 21, 2018

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"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

Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

February 21, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother!!

Lieutenant Vic Manata
Newark Police Department , Newark NJ

February 21, 2018

May the Billa family stay strong in this time of loss. God bless you.

F.T.O. St.Clair
Chicago Police Department

February 21, 2018

Officer Billa, may you rest in peace our brother. You will never be forgotten.

Sgt Richard Eckert
Town of Chester Police Dept

February 21, 2018

Thank you for your service. RIP.

Sergeant Brian J. Wills II
Oswego County Sheriff's Office

February 21, 2018

Thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and co-workers. Rest in Peace!

Ptl. Bryan Waltz (Ret)
Avon Lake OH PD

February 21, 2018

A police officer should be remembered not by how he died, but how he lived! A great man has gone to secure a safe path for the rest of us to follow. Thank you to you, your family and the Mobile Police Department. Our country is a little less safe without you. Rest in Peace Brother!

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH

February 21, 2018

It's your turn to rest now. Peace and prayers for you and your family. Your brothers and sisters will never forget your courage. God speed.

Police Officer Jeffrey Thrash
Upper Darby Police Department (PA)

February 21, 2018

Thank you for your service.

Dmytro Goloborodko

February 21, 2018

Several Reflections asked if there was a memorial fund for Officer Billa's family. The Mobile Police Department has a memorial fund in place. (please delete if not allowed) Anyone wishing to, may contact the police agency directly.

RIP WARRIOR Justin Billa -- We'll take it from here...

L.S.
MCSO

February 21, 2018