Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Jim, Been a long time since I last worked with you, Fred, and Ben and there still is not a day I dont think about the OPD family loss we had the day we lost you. Hope all is good for you up there in heaven and I know you continue to watch over the boys down on the streets of our city. I sure miss you and the unit and hope someday to get back to the force. I saw your daughters note and it is great they are all grown up now and I still remember them as little ones. Take care up there and you will always be in my sister's and my thoughts and prayers.

Jeff Ritza

Jeff Ritza
Former OPD Reserve Officer

January 8, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

December 3, 2007

I'm almost 24 now daddy, and not a day goes by that I dont think about you and how you have influenced my life.
It's nice to see others leave there well wishes and hear how you touched them. I know you're always there for me and sean and we love you.

Thanks to everyone else who left messages. It means more to me now then ever.


It's funny to think it'll be 14 years this december...
Love you.

Katie
daughter

October 2, 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

September 20, 2007

We remember... we will always remember.

Citizen

December 2, 2006

Jimmy, for years I have regretted not being able to attend your funeral. Just today I read about this memorial page and have found a way to pay you a visit. I hope you understand.

Bill Hoke
Orange County Fire/Rescue

February 9, 2006

I met Jim when I was a young and impressionable young man. In meeting him, I was given the privilege of knowing and being friends with the most honorable and heroic man I have ever met. His guidance and friendship instilled in me a desire to enter law enforcement and he involved me with the Oxnard PD Explorer program. That guidance and beginning in law enforcement were instrumental in my ultimately becoming a law enforcement officer myself. His passing was difficult for me to accept and for years I tried convincing myself that it had never happened and I simply had not seen him for awhile. When I finally came to terms with it, I realized he had never actually left my side. I firmly believe that he continues to look after me till this very day. My only regret in knowing Jim was that I never had the opportunity to tell him how much his friendship and approval actually meant to me. His time with us was cut way to short. I recall meeting his son and daughter when they were about six years old. Both of them have grown up to be college students by now, and although I have never met them as adults, my hopes are that they read this message and know how much their father meant to me personally. He was a man of honor and till this day, I have yet to meet another man like him. I truly believe I would not be where I am today, had it not been for his guidance, friendship, and the example he set for me to follow. Rest well Jim, your life and your sacrifice have certainly not been forgotten.

Deputy Paul Rodriguez
Ventura Co. Sheriff

October 7, 2005

I started my law enforcement career as a reserve officer with the Port Hueneme Police Dept., and went through the reserve police academy with Jim in 1980. There were 4 of us from PHPD, and we got quite close. Jim was good at everything he tried, and was a help to all of us going through the academy. He became a good friend, and we both went regular with PHPD shortly thereafter. Jim was a great cop and shift partner, who you could always count on. Jim later went to work for Oxnard PD, and I went to the Ventura County DA's office. I was called out on Jim's shooting. The suspect killed several people at an unemployment office in Oxnard, and was driving to an EDD office in Ventura, presumably to do the same there. Jim was technically off-duty, as I recall, but heard the call and responded in his gang unit vehicle. That was just Jim. Jim pursued the suspect, who got stuck in traffic at a traffic light. The suspect pointed his rifle at Jim. I believe Jim could not fire at the suspect to save his own life because there were several vehicles behind the suspect's, and Jim realized he could hit someone else. He died as he lived, a hero.

Senior Resident Agent
Colorado Bureau of Investigation

March 16, 2004

As a troubled teenager, I didn't know what to think when Jim moved in across the street. I was greatful Jim never picked me up when I ran away. But he was always there after to "scold" and give some good advice. Yes, I was listening to you! I was very pleased when Jim agreed to be my labor coach since my husband was away in the military. He was such a wonderful, careing person! I've never met anyone like him. You will be in my thought forever!

Barbara Potts Erickson
old neighbor

February 28, 2004

I'm very sorry to hear about what happened to Officer O'Brien. A friend told me about him, after realizing she knew his sister. I hope his family is doing well after all these years. Stay strong and remember that while he lived a short life, he made much more of a difference than most other people who live longer ones. I'm sure he lived it well. God bless. Thanks for fighting the good fight, Officer O'Brien.

Pat
Police Explorer, Maryland

James,
I now work with your sister, Trish. We were looking at the kids shoes today because some have fire engines on them and others have police cars on them. I made the police cars ones light up and said look they are going Code 3. She looked and said they sure are. Well, that brought you up. From what I have heard, you sound like a great guy and I bet you were and still are. I live in Ventura County too and use to be an Explorer. It is tough to see that it has been just slightly over 9 years since you left the streets you once patroled to patrol the gates of heaven. I am very sorry to hear about your loss. God Bless you, your sister Trish, your cousins that are also police officers and fire fighters and your entire family and law enforcement family. I have been on two ride alongs with OPD and loved every minute of them both. Now when I go through Oxnard and drive past the PD I will think of you. Take care and be safe you are now 10-10 and are 10-8 in Heaven. Thanks for all you have done Brother in blue.
Love,
Elise

Elise Ostby
Ventura County

I was an Oxnard Police Officer for 7 years before I left in 1996. Jim and I were close friends and I miss him dearly. He took me under his wing when I was a rookie in 1989 and taught me much of what I know about being a cop. If someone had asked who I thought was least likely in the department to be KLOD, I would have said "OB" in an instant. I will never forget him and still wear his memorial bracelet in his honor to this day.

See you in the next life Jim,

Your friend,

Dave Hawtin

Traffic Inv. David Hawtin
Brentwood Police Dept. TN

Dear Friends,
During this sad time in our Country's history, the death of our fallen Brothers in NY has brought back memories of the death of my cousin James Edward O'Brien. If he was alive today he no doubt would have gotten to NY some how to be of assistance to his Police Brothers. My heart goes out to the fallen officers families and co-workers. Many of our NY Brothers/Sisters sent
messages of support when Jimmy was killed and many more I have had a chance to meet at the Police Memorial in Washington DC. over the years So I'll just say I miss ya Jimmy and GOD BLESS AMERICA

Cpl. Nick Hoke
Meadville City Police Dept.

james will live on in your thoughts.....imbemba

paramedic JAMES LARSEN
FDNY