Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

You should be celebrating another birthday today. Rest in peace Jim. May God watch over your family and keep them safe.

Anonymous

May 25, 2012

I know that I never knew my own Uncle, but the pain that our family has experienced is tremoundous. I would love to see the killer put to death. It is a painful thing that I have to go through, that our family has to go through.

Love my Uncle James

Hallie
Niece of James Irby

March 16, 2012

RIP Jim. Your family and friends still miss you terribly. We all seem to have such vivid memories of the good times. You touched so many lives and continue to do so. You will always be with us in our hearts.

Anonymous

March 12, 2012

Rest In Peace Brother Irby. Our thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and your LE Brothers and Sisters.

Sgt. Jarrod Wilson / K9 Officer
West Virginia Division Of Corrections

March 11, 2012

Dad,

I did everything I could to hold myself together through these past weeks. It was probably the hardest experience of my life. I saw things I wanted to see for my own peace of mind, and saw things I never want to see again. I stared into the eyes of my father’s killer from 10 feet away; a pain I would want no man to experience, not even him. I thought about what you went through the last moments of your life. When I was called to testify, they asked me what I thought about every time I make a traffic stop. My answer was that everything can be gone in an instant. When the verdict was read, I held my composure until both the jury, and Buntion were out of the court room. I refused to let that man see me shed a single tear, because the evil inside him would just love it. When he was gone I put my head in my hands, and I cried. I had my eyes closed for several minutes, and could hear the people around me hugging and crying. I felt the hands of all of your friends, partners, and family on my back telling me “Its over.” Larry came to me and I hugged him. Gary hugged me and said “This parts over” because he knows we still have appeals, and more legal hoops to go. Later Krystal told me she never thought either her, or I would be in that court room in a million years. I honestly never believed it either.

The press asked me now that this is over, what do you do now? I looked at each of the brave people standing behind me. I told them that we go back to work. I told them my family has always stood for justice, and that legacy will keep going. It feels like we have all lost you all over again, but maybe now you can rest in peace once more. I miss you dad, and so do your pals. You sure did touch so many lives.

Officer Cody Irby #225
Pflugerville Police Department (Son)

March 8, 2012

God bless you Brother. Your family finally got some good news and I rejoice with them.

Be at peace.

Officer J. Craven
Silver Spring Township (PA) Police Dept.

March 7, 2012

Rest in Peace my brother, justice has prevailed, rest easy, we have the Watch

Policeman
Brother in Blue, Phoenix PD

March 7, 2012

My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of Officer Irby. Thank God a jury sentenced his murderer to death once again. May the wheels of justice move much swifter than they have in the past. Officer Irby will FOREVER be a hero and will NEVER be forgotten!

SGT Mark B. Hanna, Retired
Fayetteville, AR PD

March 7, 2012

Jim,
I have to reiterate what Bobby Simpson wrote, I still shed a tear when I think of that night and how I last saw you. I made my promise to you before you left us that I would watch over your family, I have and I will.

I remember how you lived and how we had some crazy times but that you were the best friend I ever had and I miss you.

Ron Smith MSG
MP/Texas Military Forces (Formerly MCSO SOLO)

March 7, 2012

I would not have survived on the streets of Houston as a rookie officer in the late 70's if it has not been for Jim's wisdom and patience. Some of my fondest memories are of the times spent with Jim, Larry, and Charlie.

May God bless you and your family, Jim, you are missed!

MK Fell (former Patrolman)
HPD

March 7, 2012

I would not have survived on the streets of Houston as a rookie officer in the late 70's if it has not been for Jim's wisdom and patience. Some of my fondest memories are of the times spent with Jim, Larry, and Charlie.

May God bless you and your family, Jim, you are missed!

MK Fell (former Patrolman)
HPD

March 6, 2012

R. I. P. Sir.........you can rest easy now that you killer will finally have a date with death...

K BROOKS
HOUTON PD

March 6, 2012

Jim, I never met you but my father HPD Officer Charles M. Braun, talked a great deal about you. I grew up with your stories of you and him working together...he told me of the time when you and my father pulled over a car in the rain... You and my father, at the time your "BOOT" were standing in the rain and you decided to let the driver go with a warning... My dad said that even though you were his TO he chewed you out and said "From now on, whenever you pull someone over and make my ass stand in the rain, We are writing them a ticket!" He also told me of the time when you and him were off duty drinking beer in downtown just sitting on the corner. My dad said you were a great friend and a hell of an officer. I wish i could have had the honor of meeting you, but i am honored to hear his stories of you. You are missed, tell my old man i said hi for me. God Speed sir..

Micah Braun, P-1 Police Officer
Los Angeles Police Department

February 24, 2012

I believe that I met Callie at the Police Officer Museum last year when we were both there to place our fathers' badges in the case. My father was Officer Richard H. Calhoun, he was shot and killed in the line of duty on October 10, 1975. Callie and I spoke briefly after the services and I remembered her saying that the motorcycle in the lobby belonged to her father, and I know she told me her father's name, but it was such an emotional day and I just couldn't remember in the days that followed. Recently I thought of that conversation and did some research, which brought me to this page.

In my research, I found the story of what happened to Officer Irby on the HPOU website (and I am sure it is also in the book we received from Nelson Zoch) and read it and my heart sank. I remember now that Callie and I were talking about how young we were when our father's were killed. She was just a baby, about one year old, and I was four years old when my father was killed. Our stories are so similar. My father was killed by an escapee from TDC who simply did not want to go back to jail. It would seem that Callie (as well as the entire Irby family) lost a father/husband/brother/son/friend to the same type of selfish sociopath. For me and my family, justice was swift - all the individuals involved in my father's death lost their lives as well that same fateful day. But, my heart breaks for your family upon learning that justice has been very slow for you, and that this monster has not gotten the punishment he so very much deserves. My sister says that sometimes forgiveness is a gift that you give to yourself. And I think in our case, that may be true... we have closure. But, I cannot imagine what your family must feel.

Please know that I am thinking of you guys I truly hope that justice is served, and that your family is able to find closure and peace. Upon reading these reflections, it seems that Officer Irby was a great man and as very much loved by his friends, family, and fellow officers. It was wonderful meeting Callie at the Survivor's Reception. Take care!

Regards,
Barbara

Barbara Calhoun
daughter of Officer Richard H. Calhoun

October 25, 2011

Jim and I worked the Central Patrol Evening shift back in the 70's and I remember him as having a big heart and a strong hand. We played softball together after the shift (3-11PM) and had many a great time. I left HPD in 1980 but I still remember where I was when learned of Jim's death. I am not ashmed to say I shed a few tears that night.

Michael L. (M&L) Williams
Former HPD Officer

September 25, 2011

God BLess you my brother, will never forget ya.

Cody, I am so proud of you, you will do fine following your dads footprints,and you will also make footprints for others to follow.
Love you all.
Ron

Ron Bozarth
friend

September 8, 2011

James B., I am still amazed at the life you lived and the many people who's lives you touched. No wife could ever be more honored or proud. I remember the night the night I met you at Hermann's ER, I didn't give my number out easily but even then there was something special about you. Our children have often asked me if I knew I would lose you would I do it all the same? My answer has always been unequivocally "YES!". We did cram a lot of love & living in those few years. I would do it all the same. Never has a husband or father been more excite, awed and shined with adoration. I remember your face, your eyes the day we married, the first time you held our son and the tears streaming your face as you held our daughter at 4 days old sitting in your wheelchair. I still listen for a Harley. I still miss the smell of ozone that followed you home on a cool or rainy night. More than any thing else I miss your hugs. The safest place I've ever known. I know you'll keep watch over our precious children, as you beam with joy at their accomplishments. I tried to teach them all that we had discussed. I also tried to make you real for them with stories & music & goofy things we did. Save my place in your arms and pray the good Lord sees fit to send me to you when my time comes. I love darlin', more than ever. The gift of our children keeps you alive for me. I see different traits of you in each of them all the time. Thank you God, for the remarkable man with a huge heart & a good soul you blessed me to love. M.

Mrs. Maura Irby
Wife & mother

June 27, 2011

21 years ago today! Not a day goes by that you are not remembered. Rest in peace. God bless you,your family, and the many friends that miss you every day.

D
Friend

June 27, 2011

21 years ago today! Not a day goes by that you are not remembered. You made such an impression on so many people. We celebrate your life by remembering and let those memories soothe the grief we still feel. You will never be forgotten. God bless you and your family.

DM
Friend

June 27, 2011

Still missing you after 20 years!! You would be so proud of the people that Cody and Cally have grow up to become. Wish you could have known my kids, I know you would have been a very important part of their lives!! I think you and my husband would have had a blast hanging out together! Keep watching over all of us until we see you again! I love ya Jimbo!

Mandie Mills Hawkins
sister in law

June 26, 2011

Rest in peace my brother

Even after 20 years following that horrible day,the emotions of the tragedy are still overwhelming. The tears still flow and my heart still aches as though it happened yesterday.I truly miss my best friend.


Bobby Simpson

Police Officer (retired)
Houston P.D.

June 9, 2011

20 Years today dad. We all still miss you. It is days like today that I remember to not worry about the little problems in life. I can only hope to become the man that you were. After 20 years, you are still loved, and honored on a daily basis. I know that you are watching over all of us. Rest in peace.

Officer Cody Irby
Pflugerville Police Department (Son)

June 27, 2010

You were taken from family and friends too soon. You should be celebrating a birthday today. Instead your family and friends wait for justice that should have been served many years ago. I pray that your son will be as good a man as you were and serve his community and family well. You will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

May 25, 2010

James,
My prayers are with your family and friends. You are never forgotten and never will be.

God Speed....

Anonymous

November 30, 2009

To the Irby Family. My daughters, Stefanie and Mallorie and I are amazed at the amount of years that have passed and still no justice for you. We agonoize for you as well as with you. We have spent the last nineteen (19) years waiting for our justice. We are aware of what you are presently experiencing. I have no words to express how we feel about this. I can not imagine what you are going through and I can only think that it is heart wrenching.
I am sorry that you have to relive all of those horrible memories.

You are in our thoughts and prayers
Sue Soboleski,
Wife of Slain Houston Police Sergeant Bruno Soboleski
EOW 1991

Anonymous

October 13, 2009