Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Jim, I am not sure what brought me to this website today, but once I saw your photo, I was flooded with the memories of the times when you took me under your wing and allowed me to ride along with you as a reserve deputy. Your knowledge, your sense of officer safety and most especially your humor, have stuck with me all these years. I smile as I remember you always buying a can of tuna when we walked into 7/11! Thank you for mentoring me. I carried all that knowledge with me into the police academy and all through out my career. It was an honor to know you.

Rose Nadrich
retired PBSO deputy

April 9, 2021

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

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

August 22, 2020

Deputy Sheriff Dickinson,
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 Palm Beach County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

August 22, 2019

Rest in peace Deputy Dickinson. A true and humble Palm Beach hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 9, 2018

The Sheriffs of Florida and their deputies will never forget the sacrifice you and your family made to uphold our laws and protect society.

Your name has been inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs and the National Law Enforcement Memorial and in our hearts. May you forever rest in peace.

A scripture inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs Law Enforcement Memorial:

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the children
of God." Matthew 5:9

Executive Director Steve Casey
Florida Sheriffs Association

August 20, 2016

Jim, you and I grew up together as Police Explorers, and we both went on to become police officers, our teenage dream. I always had fun around you and remember many different times we did many things that were just what we had dreamed of.

You were a great friend and outstanding police officer. You went from a skinny kid to a strong man.

I think of you often and use our friendship to teach my recruits in the academies about the dangers in this job and the possibility of losing close friends. I miss you buddy, I wish you were with me at the academy and we were getting ready to retire together.

I pray for your family all the time and especially your brother. Every time I see or hear from him, I think of you of course.

God Bless you buddy, your friend,

Chris

Cmdr. Chris Wagoner
Broward SO & Santa Fe College PD

May 3, 2014

Jim, you may be gone from this world, but you are still remembered by many of us left behind. You were a great friend and co-worker those many years ago at the "North Sub". Rest in peace brother.

Jim Stephenson
PBSO

May 10, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 24th anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to be among the first to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

April 11, 2013

HEROES live forever, and you sir are a hero. May you continue to rest in peace Deputy Dickinson..

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

August 22, 2012

Rest in Peace, Deputy Dickinson. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 16, 2012

I was off-duty when you were gunned down, but happened to hear it all go down on the scanner. I'll never forget how my heart stopped momentarily as yours was stopping for good. Keep the peace, brother. Thank you for serving..

(former) Officer John Brooks
North Palm Beach DPS (police division)

August 22, 2011

To the family of Deputy Dickinson my heart and prayers are with you today as you face another EOW without your loved one. May God be with you all. Deputy Dickinson, you sir are a hero we will never forget. Continue to rest in peace.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Deb

August 22, 2011

Jim was a great cop and a better friend, I worked that shift with Jim and not many people know this but Jim and I switched zones that night just before roll call, he wanted to follow up on some cases that he was working, rip Jim

d/s Dale Knox
pbso

August 16, 2011

Thank you for your service and dedication. Your sacrifice will always be appriciated and never forgotten. God bless you, your family and friends.

Sgt. C. A. Dickinson
Charleston WV Police Dept.

March 12, 2010

My thoughts & prayers are with you all. Rest Easy.

Cindy, Arkansas
Sister to Officer Randy Basnett, EOW 9-24-1976

February 11, 2010

Cpl. Brian Cullen mentioned you tonight on COPS, as being the reason he became a LEO. I had to come to the site and see the picture of such a great man and hero. Your memory and sacrifice has never been forgotten and never will be. Thank you and God Bless.

Lisa
GEORGIA CIVILIAN

January 30, 2010

Nineteen years ago almost to the date something brought me to the Officer Down page once again. You and I became midnight shift friends as our path's crossed all to often between PBSO and WPBPD. As your brother stated, you epitomized what a law enforcement officer should be each and every day. I was so proud to have known you and will not forget you.

Captain Brett Patterson
West Palm Beach Police

August 25, 2008

Miss you buddy...

Pat

October 31, 2007

"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

October 4, 2007

Rest in peace Deputy Dickinson.

Ofc.D.Mears
Hollywood P.D

August 20, 2007

I waited on Jim the evening that he died. He was such a nice person, always smiling and always having something nice to say. I remember going home that night after work and turning on the TV to find out that he had been shot. I was heartbroken. I still think of him to this day and just remember how really nice he was.

Nancy (Former Lighthouse Restaurant Waitress from 1976-1992)

Nancy
Lighthouse Restaurant Waitress

October 4, 2006

Although I did not know James, I wish I had. I learned of his murder while reading the book k-9 bodyguards. James is spoke very highly of on page 151. Lest we forget...

Ron

September 20, 2006

I was a police cadet with Jim. We joined the cadets when we were 14 years old. Protecting others was his calling in life. You are missed and never forgotten.

Freeman
jedburghgroup

July 10, 2006

Deputy Sheriff Dickinson,
On today, the 16th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Palm Beach County. But what I can't understand, is how some one can be convicted of murdering a LEO and only serves 12 years?

R.I.P.
Anonymous

August 22, 2005

God bless you and your family at your tragic loss. You will never be forgotten by your entire police family.

DE
St. Louis City Police

February 12, 2005