Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My pal EJ and I met when I worked at Sandy's Hotdogs 5000 years ago.
I was always reprimanded for giving him limitless chilidogs and his favourite hot fudge sundaes.
He spent a few Christmases with my family and my long since passed Nana absolutely ADORED him as his mischievous grin and quick humor was extraordinarily entertaining.
I used to think accumulated points on my license was the game objective. He made so many calls on my behalf and told me many times to behave or else.
We talked about anything from history to philosophy to cars and fashion.
We laughed a LOT.
He was my dear friend and I miss him loads.
STILL.

Cynthia Cook
Friend

December 6, 2023

Ashley, your Dad was a good friend. He and I worked on King-shift at Richland County. He talked about you and your sister often. I actually named my daughter after you in honor of your Dad.

It seems like a life-time ago. I don't have any pictures but I do have a lot of memories. I'll send you an email and share some of them.

Neil Harper
ATF Senior Special Agent (retired)

June 3, 2021

Ashley, my name is Anthony Cicora. Your father knew me as Tony. We worked together in Columbia, and continued to work together when he went to Richland County because our territories overlapped at Two Notch Road. Joe was not only an awesome character, but one of my closest friends during some very hard times. We spent a lot of time at Plato's, a Greek restaurant and karaoke bar at night sharing the day's events and hanging out with our friends that owned the place. We used to go into the kitchen and make our own creations and if, on occasion, we spent a little too much time at the bar, we would argue over who got the couch or the floor in the back office. Your Dad had a great sense of humor and a capacity for compassion. He spent as much effort trying to enrich the lives of his friends as he did trying to combat the problems that we had in the district. He was a great Law Enforcement Officer, of that you can be certain. I had the pleasure of meeting his Mom and Step Dad when they came to Columbia and spent a week there. Oddly enough, these many years later, I now live in Anchorage and often think of Joe when I look out at these mountains. He was a mountain of a man, and someone you should always be proud of. God Bless his soul and I hope to see him again some day.

Anthony J Cicora
Friend, former Columbia PD

February 5, 2021

I would love to talk to anyone who has good memories to share of my dad, or has pictures they can share! I’m Ashley, his youngest daughter. My email is [email protected]
Feel free to reach out, I’d love to talk

Ashley
Daughter

December 4, 2020

Joe was an incredibly outgoing, charismatic police officer, and a very good friend. I knew him when he first worked district 1 in the City of Columbia, and I worked district 3. Our districts overlapped on Two Notch and we spent a great deal of time together both on the street and in our off time. When he decided to join Richland County, I stayed, having gotten the projects in my blood. That later came back to bite me, but Joe never abandoned his friends and helped me work through my own issues. I still think of him every Christmas. It was on that eve that God received him, and I have to guess that he took him in as a gift to those whose lives needed brightening. None of us are perfect, Joe wasn't perfect, but he gave alot to those around him in the way of happiness and brotherhood. I will never forget Joe Alva. His parents came to visit from Alaska and I thought they were fantastic people. Oddly these many years later I just happened to see this post from out of the blue. Oddly I say because in 3 days I will be driving my Jeep from Orange Park Florida where I now live, to Anchorage for a new position as an aircraft mechanic at Ted Stevens International. I hope to find his family there and honor his memory.

Tony Cicora
Former fellow officer and friend

September 7, 2020

Joe worked with me in 1982 at a State Temporary Holding Facility (jail) in Bethel, AK, for at least a year before moving south. He learned quickly and did a good job. All of these years later, I still occasionally think of him. He was liked in our small community and was a friend to one of my sons.

Cpl Patrick Hames, Retired
Alaska State Troopers

May 24, 2020

Thanks for your friendship Joe. God bless you.

Mark Davidson
Friend

December 25, 2019

Thanks for being a good friend to me. God Bless You.
12/24/2019

Mark Davidson
Friend

December 25, 2019

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Alva.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 24, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

December 24, 2017

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

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

June 23, 2017

25 years has past but not forgotten.

Mark Davidson
Friend

January 4, 2017

Joe,
God bless you and your girls. I wish you were here my friend

Mark Davidon
Friend

December 22, 2014

Joe was an awesome friend and co-worker. Miss you my brother.

Anthony Plante

September 11, 2014

To the love of my life and the man I thought I would spend my life with forever... I miss you still today. You were my world and I was absolutely lost and devastated when you were gone.

I can't believe that it has been 20+ years since I last kissed and hugged you goodbye before you left on your final shift that Christmas Eve night, never to return home to me. That night was a tragic blur... all the brass came to our house to tell me what I already know, that you were gone.

I miss your laugh, your smile and your touch. I will always love you and miss you! XOXOXOX

Kara
Fiancee

June 21, 2014

Hey Joe, sorry it too me so long. I remember being in the same police academy class with you and you were a great police officer. I was out there that night when you left this earth and I told you that night I was very sorry for what happened. I have never forgotten you in almost 22 years since the terrible accident. You were a good friend and an excellent deputy that was taken away from us way too soon. We lost 3 officers in 18 months and it was a bag time.

You will forever be in my heart. RIP my brother.

Attorney Ray Lord
Investigator (retired), Richland County Sheriff's Dept.

January 15, 2014

Dad-

I miss you every day. I am so proud to know what you did and who you were. I have met and talked to many people who knew you, and they tell me stories. Wish you were here.

Ashley Alva Boynton
Daughter

December 4, 2012

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 a fellow police officer who was murdered in the 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.

I pray for solace for all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

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

December 25, 2011

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

Special Agent Neil Harper
ATF (former Richland County Deputy)

July 28, 2011

I will never forget that night, We were waiting for you at the house for christmas dinner. Seeing your face on the news, I thought it was a dream. You always treated me like your little brother and I will never forget you brother. Your presents as a police officer inspired me to become one. You were very special to me and my family and i will love you forever.

Former Cpl. D Hilt
Irmo Police

June 7, 2011

A day does not go by that I do not think about your sacrifice. Though I only worked with you for a short time, I will never forget the night you paid the ultimate price. Your girls should know that your memory lives on. God Speed Joe.

Special Agent James Hamilton, FBI
Former co-worker

May 13, 2011

Happy birthday, Dad. Miss you!

Ashley Alva
Daughter

March 23, 2011

Dear Joe, another year has passed to the 18 year of your death,I always look at your reflections to remind me of just how precious life is and not to take my friends for granted. I still remember talking to you two weeks before this happened,it really doesn't seem all that long ago. RIP my brother,we will never forget you and the sacrifice you made.

Senior Officer Specialist, Robert Hill
Department of Justice / Former CPD Officer

December 21, 2010

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

August 3, 2010

Joe, I'll never forget where I was when I heard you were killed. You always made us laugh and were an instigator of good times. I brought a friend of ours down to FL while I was working for Lakeland PD Victim Assistance to help, but it didn't work out too well. In the end all is well though. When I get back near Columbia I slow down and remember you especially near Blythewood signs. I miss hanging out and hearing your infectious laughter but I feel God enjoys it now.

Cindi
just an old friend

April 24, 2010