THE MONUMENT

By Sgt. George Hahn, L.A.P.D.
(Retired)

I never dreamed it would be me

My name for all eternity

Recorded here at this hallowed place

Alas, my name, no more my face

 

“In the line of duty” I hear them say

My family now the price will pay

My folded flag stained with their tears

We only had those few short years

 

The badge no longer on my chest

I sleep now in eternal rest

My sword I pass to those behind

And pray they keep this thought in mind

 

I never dreamed it would be me

And with heavy heart and bended knee

I ask for all here from the past

Dear God, let my name be the last

 


 

 

San Jose Police shoulder patch

Fallen Officers

Officer Jeffrey M. Fontana    
Name: Officer Jeffrey M. Fontana
Date of Birth: May 13, 1977
Date Appointed: January 8, 2001
End of Watch: October 28, 2001

Killed October 28, 2001 by gunshot from suspicious motorists on whom he had just initiated a vehicle stop for follow-up criminal investigation.

     
Officer Desmond Casey    
Name: Officer Desmond Casey
Date of Birth: May 19, 1961
Date Appointed: April 3, 1989
End of Watch: October 25, 1999

Killed October 25, 1999 in an aircraft collision while piloting the Department’s police helicopter, preparing for the coming shift of patrol duty.

     
Officer Gene Simpson    
Name: Officer Gene Simpson
Date of Birth: May 15, 1943
Date Appointed: September 1, 1969
End of Watch: January 20, 1989

Killed January 20, 1989 by a mentally ill pedestrian who wrestled and obtained the officer’s handgun and shot him.

     
Officer Gordon Silva    
Name: Officer Gordon Silva
Date of Birth: November 24, 1949
Date Appointed: May 3, 1971
End of Watch: January 20, 1989

Killed January 20, 1989 by gunfire in the same firefight with the mentally ill pedestrian who had just mortally assaulted Officer Simpson.

     
Officer Jeffrey M. Fontana    
Name: Officer Robert Wirht
Date of Birth: August 19, 1945
Date Appointed: January 22, 1973
End of Watch: September 8, 1988

Killed September 8, 1988 while on a police motorcycle pursuing a speeding motorist, and then being struck by another errant motorist in traffic.

     
Officer Henry Bunch    
Name: Officer Henry Bunch
Date of Birth: Jauary 7, 1952
Date Appointed: September 12, 1980
End of Watch: July 29, 1985

Killed July 29, 1985 by an intoxicated arrestee who wrestled the officer’s weapon away and shot him.

     
Officer Robert White    
Name: Officer Robert White
Date of Birth: July 13, 1959
Date Appointed: October 25, 1982
End of Watch: January 27, 1985

Killed January 27, 1985 by electrocution while investigating an accident in which a motorist struck a high-voltage transformer.

     
Officer Richard Huerta    
Name: Officer Richard Huerta
End of Watch: August 6, 1970
   
   

Killed August 6, 1970 by gunshots from a pedestrian intent to randomly assassinate any officer he encountered that evening.

     
Officer Richard Huerta    
Name: Officer John Covalesk
End of Watch: November 15, 1950
   
   

Killed November 15, 1950 shot by an armed burglar who Covalesk had detected in the process of a business burglary.

     
Officer John Buck    
Name: Officer John Buck
End of Watch: April 5, 1933
   
   

Died April 5, 1933 from gunshot wounds suffered five weeks earlier while attempting to apprehend armed robbery suspects in a car.

     
Sgt. Morris Van Dyck Hubbard    
Name: Sgt. Morris Van Dyck Hubbard
End of Watch: July 12, 1924
   
   

Killed July 12, 1924 by a hostage-taking gunman in a close range shoot-out

     

 


 
San José Police Department, 201 W. Mission Street, San Jose, CA 95110 | General Information 408-277-8900 | Contact Us
October 20, 2008
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