Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Detective Downes was married to my father's sister, Josephine, or Aunt Jo to us. I remember my Uncle Ken, as we called ,him by his middle name. He was fun loving and a joyful presence in our family. Aunt Jo faced many challenges in her life, but she handle them with strength and dignity. I miss both of them deeply.
Maria Rinaldi Hoover

Civilian Maria Hoover
Niece

July 1, 2022

Grandpa,
I wish I could’ve met you and my father could have known you. Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice and creating the most outstanding man my dad. Our beloved grammie, your wife has finally reunited with you today as she was laid to rest beside you. She left this earth a mother, grandmother and great grandmother. You’d be very proud of the shoes she filled after your passing and how she raised your son. Please continue looking out for us and take care of grammie up there.

Michael Downes
Grandson

June 16, 2020

Rest in peace Detective Downes.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 8, 2020

MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES... There isn’t many that will ever understand the belly of the beast until you’ve made your way to the South.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

- 123rd.

Thank you
NPD

July 15, 2019

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 54th 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.

Time never dimishes respect and your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

February 10, 2012

I am not sure if I am a relative but when I read the accounts here I noticed you left an nine month-old son. At the time of your ultimate sacrifice I would have been eight months old. How is that for irony?

As a felloe detective I hope yo cary on the fine tradition whioch you set and I'll remember you in a prayer this Sunday at Mass. Thanks to this webpage your sacrifice 53 years ago will not be forgotten.

Detective Thomas Downes
Chicago

September 3, 2011

The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) in Newark is attempting to locate members of the Downes family, please contact us at your earliest convenience, thank you

Jim Stewart Jr
Newark FOP

June 7, 2010

God bless Det. Downes and his family.

DFC Daniel O'Donnell
Orange County Sheriff's Office (FL)

May 20, 2008

Rest in Peace my Brother.

Kevin T Ryan
Ex-NJ Cop/Burlington County Correction Sergeant.

February 10, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH

February 8, 2008

We here at the Newark Police Museum will keep your memory alive forever. Thank you for your faithful and dedicated service and rest in peace.

Curator Edward J. Dalley, Sr.
Newark Police Museum

July 23, 2006

Howard (we called him Dookey) was my cousin. I remember the day he died; first time I ever saw my father cry. He left behind a 9 month old son, Michael. There was a story in the paper entitled, "Michael, this is how your Dad died." Star Ledger, I believe. My sister was the flower girl at his wedding. He had a rough childhood and rose above it. He will always be missed and never forgotten.

Linda Tighe Matyas

March 13, 2006

Thank you Sir for your service and dedication. You are not forgotten.

Detective T. Henshaw
Bell Gardens Police Dept., CA.

October 5, 2004