Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

You are still remembered, John. Every September 27, I wear your bracelet and take time to recall your antics, and it makes me smile.

Andy Black
Chesapeake PD

September 27, 2024

Hi John,
I will always remember the fun times we had together disco dancing and goofing off with our friends you were an amazing man with a great heart and I’m proud to have been your friend.
Always,
Lynda

Lynda McKinney Schneider
Friend

September 28, 2022

Rest in peace Sergeant Cherry.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2022

John was an exemplary person and officer And I was privileged to call my friend. Rest in peace my friend, and know that you are missed today tomorrow and always.

Lynda McKinney Schneider
Friend

December 4, 2021

Rest in peace always and know that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

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

September 27, 2020

I remember Sgt. Cherry from my childhood. My dad, Aubrey Carey, was a police officer and he and John were good friends. He was always so nice to me. After my dad left the force, we didn't see a lot of Officer Cherry, but he had left a great impression on me. I remember hearing about his death on the radio as i was getting ready for school. Such a sad ending for a wonderful man and great police officer.

Alissa Carey Coggeshall

September 28, 2016

I met Sgt Cherry when I was a kid. I'd see him riding around the neighborhood every once in a while. I was brought up that Police Officers were our friends. He was a super nice guy. I graduated high school in 1982 and wanted to join the PD. I was too young. It took me long enough to get to it, but I did make it into the Sheriff's Office and became a Deputy. Because of Officer Cherry as I knew him and the other great officers I've met. I decided to follow them. I've never forgotten John Cherry. His partner was my next door neighbor's uncle. He's a great guy also. I know your'e up there in heaven and looking down watching over us all. You were that kind of person. I'm glad to have met and known you for just the short while I was privileged to. Thank you for being there for all of us. You are sorely missed here on earth.

Scott Thomas
retired Deputy Sheriff

March 20, 2015

I think of you often and still get a grin telling the story of when you told a man (over your car loud speaker) to get off the rock in front of Rock Church in Kempsville. I remember you laughing as you told us that the man looked up to the sky thinking God was talking to him. It's silly things like this that I miss the most. You always knew how to make us laugh.
I hope you know the positive impact you had on so many of us and how much you are missed.

MaryEllen Mackay Welch

September 30, 2014

I worked with Sgt Cherry after being appointed to the Chesapeake Police in 1981. He was a fine man, excellant instructor and a dedicated police officer. I left the CPD in 1983 to become a police officer in Nassau County New York, but i have never forgotten Sgt Cherry and never will. I think of him often as i do my job today.

Detective Jeff Schilling
Nassau County Police Dept, NY

January 28, 2014

Sgt. Cherry was known and respected by the officers who knew him on the Norfolk PD also. It was a shock to all of us when we got the news of his death. I have never spoken to any officer that knew Sgt. Cherry that didn't praise him as an officer and a good man.

Major Larry Carter
NSO Retired NPD

September 27, 2013

I met John in 1956 just prior to being sworn in to the USAF. We went thhrough boot camp and tech school togrther and we were assigned to the same duty station.
He was a joy to be around. I met with some of our fellow Airmen a few years ago, and John was well remembered.
We were very saddened upon learning of his death.
God bless you John. Rest in peace.

Frank Zornes
United States Air Force

May 9, 2013

Miss you John. You were a good officer and great friend. Rest in Peace.

Lt. W. M. "Wally" Bunker
Suffolk Police Department, Suffolk, VA

March 31, 2013

Gone but not forgotten love you John former officer RStevenson

RGStevenson CPD Retired
Friend Fellow Officer

March 21, 2013

Sgt. Cherry,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Chesapeake. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
U.S. Border Patrol

September 27, 2012

The Chesapeake Police Department of 2011 never forgets. As the police department grows and changes, one thing remains constant, honor is built upon honor. Police officers make sacrifices daily, some are called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice. Even if these sacrifices were made years ago, they remain fresh in our thoughts. Sergeant John Cherry is a inspiration and hero to all Chesapeake Police Officers. He is always in our thoughts.

Chesapeake Police Officer
Chesapeake Police Dept

September 24, 2011

John just thinking of you.its been 28 years hope you are at peace. steve m.

Anonymous

September 27, 2010

John hope you are at peace it was 28 years ago today sept27,1982 never will forget you buddy.

STEVE MYERS
GOOD FRIEND

September 26, 2010

John i still think of you alot .to everyone john cherry was a great man.i was 20 years old on monday night sept27.1982 i was riding with john on the police dept ride along program.i had dinner with john monday evening.we went to the second precint to start the shift it was a quiet night.never forget we were at greenbrier mall when the 10-100 call came out.we sped to the schooner trail address.john i will never forget you buddy.rest in peace.

steve m.
friend

October 29, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 27th 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

September 27, 2009

SGT. Cherry your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Hands now brother. May you rest in peace

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee

May 23, 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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

April 2, 2008

You laughed often and much;
You won the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
You earned the appreciation of honest critics
You left the world a bit better.
I know that more than one life has breathed easier
because you lived here.
This is what I know of you.

Today is a sad day as another Chesapeake PD officer has been killed in the line of duty. Thinking of you especially today.

-Your loving daughter

Bridgett Cherry
Daughter of John Cherry

January 18, 2008

I think about my youth and all the trouble I was in and out of thanks to you being there .You were always the last person I wanted to see but looking back now I am thankful you did care .Sgt Cherry thanks to you I can hold my head high and know I am the man Iam today because of you. Thanks for everything you did for me and know I try to live my life helping anyone in anyway the way you showed me you did . Rest well peace be with all that knew you.

AJ Russell

January 16, 2008

Everytime I pass your memory plaque in our living room, I smile. Sometimes I feel like you're near.

I wish you were here to see the woman I've grown up to become and to see me as a mother. I hope you are proud.

I miss you so much sometimes.

God bless and I hope you are at peace.

MaryEllen Mackay Welch
friend

November 2, 2007

My prayers are with you and your family on this anniversary.
Rest easy Brother.

Former N.H. Police Officer
Fauquier County, VA

September 27, 2007