Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Joey,

I lived next door to you when we were kids in Rosedale in the mid 60's. Boy did we have fun playing together! I'll always remember you,your brother Vinnie,and of course your Mom,Doris. She was the Best neighborhood Mom anyone could have!
Rest in Peace Brother Joey, until we meet again.

Ret.Det. Jerry Ostrander
Freehold Township Police Department

June 15, 2010

I never had the privilege of meeting Joseph Aversa, but in 2002 I was a recipient of the scholarship awarded to select New York City high school seniors, in his name. I just wanted to express gratitude to him and his survived loved ones.

H. Berberena
Recipient of the Joseph T. Aversa award

May 26, 2010

20 years have passed so quickly and I still expect to have a quick hug and kiss from my son and miss him every day. Reading the messages here make me so proud.

Doris Aversa
Joe's Mom

April 9, 2010

20 years have passed so quickly and I still expect to have a quick hug and kiss from my son and miss him every day. Reading the messages here make me so proud.

Doris Aversa
Joe's Mom

April 9, 2010

Today is 3/5/10 - exactly 20 years since your passing. I was a 30 year-old Asst. DA in Sullivan County handling your DWI's out of Wurtsboro. We often would meet at Mr. Willy's on Rt. 42 for a drink on Friday afternoons. I think about you all the time and talk about your great sense of humor and precise police work to all the new ADAs and lawyers. You are dearly missed by us here in Sullivan County. RIP good friend.

Eric Adler
friend

March 5, 2010

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones on this day. Contiue to keep watch over them and guide them. You are a true hero and heroes never die. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

March 5, 2010

Everything you heard is true Nicole. Joey was truly an amazing guy.I miss him lots.

Det. Anthony LaFemina
NYCPD/ Brother in law

January 12, 2010

All though I was only 5 days old when you were murdered I cant help but think what you were like. I have heard my whole life what a great guy you were, and how selfless you were right up until the day you died. RIP

Nicole Aversa
Niece

October 9, 2009

Just Remembering a wonderful man, and a friend I grew up with. It seems like yesterday, seeing his kind and friendly face, always there for his fellow man. Joey will always be in my thoughts and prayers. Love

Vickie Schindler Mosca
Friend

May 22, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 19th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was murdered on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I am sure that you were proud when your wife became an officer and how fitting they assigned her your badge number. May God keep her safe.

To his mom, I hold you in my heart's embrace for surely losing a child is life's greatest sorrow.

Rest In Peace. Joseph.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

March 5, 2009

I said a little prayer today for Investigator Aversa and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes

February 27, 2009

Although Joe and I weren't best friends, we were classmates together for 4 years in high school. It's odd that I thought of him today , and stumbled across this memorial. My memory of him is of someone who never had an unkind word for anyone. As the son of a police officer, I have a special admiration for the service and the sacrifice.
May God continue to pour out his blessings on the Aversa family.

Keith McGee
Classmate

November 28, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE, GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL THOSE THAT LOVE YOU. KEEP THAT EVER WATCHFUL EYE OVER YOUR WIFE AND ALL OF THOSE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT PROTECT US EVERYDAY.

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

March 4, 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

December 20, 2007

My son my pride you will always be in my heart and prayers. I miss you every day of these 17 years. Your father never got over your loss. Watch over him now he is with you. I look forward to the day I join you both till then sleep with the angels.

Doris Aversa
Mother

July 7, 2007

Thank You Inv. Aversa for your courage and dedication to duty. Being a police officer can be tough duty at times. What you did as a narcotics investigator takes a different kind of bravery. Thank you again for your service. Rest in peace.

Officer Leary
US Park Police

April 7, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones and close friends who will remember you today as they have every day for the past 17 years. You are a true hero and heroes never die. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and protect them from harm and those still out on patrol watching for the thin blue line. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

March 5, 2007

I miss you and think of you often. Your dad is with you now and god bless him as well.
your friend;
Tony

Anthony Palazzo
friend

February 5, 2007

I am Joe's cousin. It's hard to believe that nearly 17 years have passed since he left us. Joe wasn't just a relative, but a good friend. He had the greatest sense of humor, and a laugh that I can still hear when I close my eyes. He was a great athlete, having played football and wrestled in high school, and participated in Golden Gloves boxing. His father was a NYC police officer, and Joe was extremely proud of being a NYS Trooper and carrying on the family tradition in law enforcement. One of his earlier assignments was on governor Mario Cuomo's guard detail, which I believe was quite an honor. Joe volunteered for the task force which became his final assignment because he wanted to make a difference. I think of him often.

Richard Fezza
Cousin

January 12, 2007

Joe, the day you were killed is as fresh a memory as if it were yesterday. I was a Lieutenant assigned to the NYDETF. A bunch of us were in Miami on a case when we got the tragic news. We broke the case down and returned immediately to NY.

I framed the front page photo of your funeral that appeared in the Trooper magazine and still get very sad when I see it or think of your life being snubbed out at such a young age with a great future ahead of you.

Rest in peace, you deserve it. You and your task force team were true heros on the front lines in the war on drugs.

Robert W. Murphy, NYSP Lt/Retired

Robert W. Murphy Lt/Ret
NYSP retired

August 26, 2006

To the family and friends of Investigator Joseph Aversa, and most especially to Joseph himself:

On this the sixteenth anniversary week of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered. Rest in Peace, Investigator Aversa.

May his loved ones continue to be comforted and supported by your law enforcement family, and by other police survivors who share this painful journey with them.

In reading the reflections about Joseph, it it obvious that he was well-respected and cared for by many people.
His valor and dedication will never be forgotten, and his memory will be forever revered. It seems that Joseph is someone who died having played the music in their souls and his song is still heard today by those whose lives he touched. Such is the power of love and laughter.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD eow 4/24/05

March 6, 2006

Thank you for your dedicated service to your community and your department. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May they never forget your faithful service to your community and department and the brave HERO that you were. To the family, friends and co-workers, our heartfelt prayers and sympathies are with you. May God be with you all during this very sorrowful time. Words will never compensate the loss you have suffered. We pray that He now gives you all strength in your time of need. May you find peace in the thought, that we as friends in law enforcement, take this time to lift you up in prayer.

For your act of unselfish bravery and courage Officer Aversa, we salute you. Blessed are the peacemakers.

Denise & Erin Hunter, Widow and Daughter
Sgt. Gregory L. Hunter, Grand Prairie, TX Police Dept., EOW 6-18-04

March 5, 2006

MISS YOU EVERYDAY...NOT A DAY GOES BY WITHOUT THE THOUGHT OF YOU..I KNOW I'VE MADE IT THIS FAR BECASUE OF YOU WATCHING OVER ME...THANKS FOR KEEPING EILEEN SAFE, AND SENDING HER HAPPINESS.....I LOVE AND MISS YOU BROTHER JOE....ANT....SOME OF YOU MAY NOT KNOW BUT JOE WAS GOLDEN GLOVES CHAMP, AND A HELL OF A FIGHTER...

DET. ANTHONY R. LA FEMINA
NYCPD/JTTF

September 17, 2005

Joe was not only a great friend to myself and others in Group 91 NYDETF, but a gifted and dedicated cop, who strived to learn his trade. I will never forget him, or the hell of that fateful day and will always have great memories of him as a friend and colleague.

Det.2nd Grade Thomas Selvaggi
New York City Police Dept/NYDETF

February 23, 2005

Joe was a wonderful person. We served together in Troop "NYC" at DETF. If anyone deserves to get into heaven it is certainly you. May God be with you
brother.

Inv.Edward G. Carr
NEW YORK STATE POLICE Ret.

August 4, 2004