Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I was a 16 year old high school kid 120 miles east of Dallas when Officer Chase was murdered. I too heard the news and I have never forgotten the sacrifice Officer Chase made that day.

John Pittmon, DL Examiner
Texas DPS

June 24, 2006

I was fifteen years old the morning of January 23rd, 1988. A freshman at S. Garland High School. I had told my mother I would sleep at a friends and he said he would be sleeping at my house. We spent all night skateboarding downtown Dallas. We skuttled through the drive through at McDonalds, crossed the street and were sitting on our skateboards eating breakfast when we witnessed this officer pull over a driver. It was near the "gumby building" (so named by us for the green lights that outlined it - I think it was nations bank.). A homeless man approached the officer from behind, shouting incoherently. The officer turned around, but not quickly enough to avoid the sucker punch. A Scuffle ensued and people began to gather from the dark spaces surrounding the scene. We were curious but we were kids, when the man stood up with the officers gun in his hand, I remember my first response: I stood, grabbed my board and took off running toward union station (the opposite direction). I heard shouting, a shot, more shouting and then only foot steps,the hasty foot steps of two kids running for their lives. The following day, I cried and cried when I read about our loss in the newspaper. It was years later that I told my mother about my lie and the tragedy I witnessed that day. I'll never forget.

I honestly don't believe that, at fifteen, weighing a buck 10, I could have stopped what happened. There were more than 10 or 12 witnesses, there were easliy two dozen homeless people around when officer chase was punched, by the time his gun was leveled at him it was over. Insanity had made its mark. Sometimes I wonder if dallas city officials learned anything from the event. We still allow the homeless and mentally unfit to roam the streets unsupervised. I ask you, what would you have done?
helplessness is not guilt.

S.L.W.
witness

May 15, 2006

It was our 20 yr academy class reunion last year and John was part of our class. We all told our funny stories involving John and it was nice to laugh with him again instead of the years of tears and heartache when we thought of him. He rides with us still in our hearts and as we get close to retirement, we remember John who will be with us always.

Det M.R. Petersen
Dallas P.D.

February 17, 2006

18 yrs ago today. I can remember hearing about this shooting, being a cop in Miami I could not and still can't understand how someone could chant and encourage one to kill a person. God Bless Ofc. Chase's family, we will never forget you!

Retired PO
City of Miami

January 23, 2006

I've just finished reading about officer Chase, and I just wanted to say how sorry Iam to Officer Chase and his family. I don't understand how anyone who was there that day can look at themselves in the mirror every morning.
God Bless You Officer Chase

Bill Lolio

December 12, 2005

After several recent fallen heros I was told the story of Officer Chase. I knew the person telling me MUST be adding details but after coming to odmp and reading for myself i'm even more heart sick and saddened Officer Chase God Bless you you sir more than most did your time in hell I know you must be resting easy in the Lords arms now.

Grand Prairie,Tx

December 5, 2005

John Glenn Chase,

Where to begin? I remember the motorcycle rides we took on our days off as vividly as if it were yesterday. We were little more than kids ourselves when you died.

I've gone through the anger and the acceptance, but the sadness has never left me. I don't know why. I was forever changed that day you left us.

I still wear your handcuff key on a chain I took from you that day at the morgue. Sometimes its heavy.

God Bless you my friend, I will never forget what you gave us.

Senior Special Agent Daniel Hebert
ATF former DPD

January 31, 2005

What a sickening story. Praise God
that at least two lives were changed
for the better because of Ofc. Chase's brutal sacrifice. God bless
your memory forever.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

December 7, 2004

It has been several months (at least) since I last visited this site. If I am not mistaken, I believe that more details have been added. I remember very clearly the day that I learned of this officers brutal and senseless murder. It was on the following Monday, broadcast on Paul Harvey. I heard how, according to winesses, that the murderer spent several minutes beating, kicking, and clubbing Officer Chase, before shooting him. I also learned that this was done in front of some 10-12 witnesses, who were in close proximity to the crime, who did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to help. When in all likelihood, any one of them could have made all the difference in the world, if they had tried. I view them as accomplices.

Some might feel that it is strange, since I never met this officer, nor am I an officer myself, that the brutality and the senselessness of Officer Chases murder has had an altering effect on my life. I learned a great deal on that Monday, during Mr. Harveys broadcast. I learned, for one thing, how much I dispise cowards. But that was the day that I also learned that decent people can make a difference in things, if they want to. The story of Officer Chases murder has stuck in my mind. Even long after I had forgotten his name. I remembered the details. And I could still remember that the department he served, was Dallas.

To make what could be a long story rather short, it is because of what happened to Officer Chase, and the way that it happened, that I have personally backed at least 3 solo officers in situations that either did involve weapons, or were perceived to. I have long since lost count of the times I have assisted solo officers (who generally knew me) simply to make certain that they were not alone. I did not seek out these situations. They were simply situations that I noticed during my normal travels. The only difference is that, unlike the spineless cowards surrounding Officer Chase, I did not turn a blind eye to them. Nor will I. Perhaps it is possible that those who loved and cared about Officer Chase will find some small degree of comfort by knowing that because of the way he was murdered, there are some who are willing to step forward when needed, in the hopes that others will not suffer the same fate.

Sadly, after several years of making such efforts, a young officer was murdered across the street from me, one night. It was shortly after this, that I contacted Dallas P.D. I wrote about what I remembered of the murder of one of their officers. I could not remember his name. I could remember that the details of his brutal murder were told on Paul Harvey. That it was in the middle or latter part of the 1980's. And the details of the shameless cowards who either taunted and encouraged, or did nothing to prevent his murder. They were kind enough to respond to me. They gave me the name of Officer Chase. And provided me with the date. I don't really know what to think of it. But Officer Chase, and the officer that was murdered 100 yards from me, were both murdered on January 23rd. And both were on a Saturday. A blue memorial band for Officer Chase adorns my left wrist. One for the other officer, on my right. For what little it is worth, I will do what I can to continue to watch the back of our officers. (I have been taught, and in some rather brutal fashions, that this is not always looked upon favorably). I hope that the loved ones of Officer Chase, can or have somehow found a way to go on with their lives. My prayers are with them. I do not wish to leave my name here. I just want this officers family and friends to know that there are people who do care. And who do remember. This brutal murder epitomises the words of Edmund Burke: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing".

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the Sons of God". (Matthew, chapter 5, verse 9).

Anon

August 29, 2004

Thank you Ofc.Chase for the sacrifice that you have made. Rest in Peace my Brother in Blue.

Retired Police Officer
Maryland

August 16, 2004

I would like to thank Officer Chase's family. They established a scholarship at the University of Northern Iowa in his name. I was the recipient of a scholarship in 1993. I'm in my tenth year of law enforcement and think of him often.

Inv. Jeromy McCoy
Nebraska State Patrol

January 14, 2004

Rest in peace Blue Angel, you are not forgotten.

Andy

December 7, 2003

John was a formor member of our Auxiliary Unit in Rock Island. I remember him as a fine Officer and a great fun guy to work with. You are not forgotten John we remember. and have a plaque with a engraveing of you with your stats and ifo on your death. you live on in our thoughts.

Chief Jerry Ryerson
Rock Island Auxiliary Police Il

October 13, 2003

I remember when John Chase was killed. It was so brutal and sad and the beginning of a lot of Dallas officer's murders that year. It was a terrible year. His murder affected me and to this day I still remember crying tears for someone I didn't even know and wondering how his wife would carry on. I hope she is OK. GOD Bless and protect the DALLAS PD

Denise