Dear Patrolman

You have never met me, but your EOW fell on a significant date. 5-24-2015 was my 24th birthday. This was a significant day for me you see, because this was my first birthday I celebrated with a newfound respect for Police nationwide. This was the first birthday I celebrated after becoming best friends with the best Police Officer I have ever met. This was your last day on duty here on earth. On this day, you died an honorable death, with thousands of thoughts running through your mind.

You were a good cop. Protocol was followed, it was a fluke. Wrong place at the wrong time.

A 21-gun salute. Flag folding ceremony, forming the exact creases with precision and grace, then the folded flag was handed to your wife or loved one. I'm sure there were bugles playing taps. Then it was over. Over for some more than others. Some left the internment and headed home virtually unaffected. Some were affected for the rest of their lives. Your wife, your mother, your children, some were reluctant to leave the grave site, wishing hoping for one more minute with you, wondering, is that all there is? You live, you die? They felt grief, maybe anger, maybe regret, but most of all pride, pride for knowing what you stood for. Pride for the battle you fought while on your beat each day until the Lord called you home. Proud that you answered the Lord's calling to this profession you loved so much.

As your loved ones continued with life, wondering how many times people would tell they they were sorry. Wondering how many times someone would remark on their loved one's bravery. Nothing they wondered would change the facts. They lost a great man, a son, brother, father, husband.

My sincere condolences to Patrolman Bennett's family, friends, and colleagues. The Bible states in 2 Timothy 3:1 that we are living in "critical times." I pray that God's promise recorded in Revelation 21:3&4 has brought comfort to those suffering from the loss of Patrolman Bennett, "he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more. Neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." No amount of time will make the hurt go away, but I pray the Lord has held you all tight enough to hold the broken pieces of your hearts together while you have tried to return to a life without the stability your Officer provided.  You were a great Officer and even better friend. Loved by many, never to be forgotten.

Rest easy Officer.


"Patrolman James Arthur Bennett Jr of Housing Authority of New Orleans Police Dept LA EOW Sunday May 24, 2015, cause of death:gunfire.

Patrolman James Bennett was shot and killed from ambush while working an overtime detail at a construction site of the Guste Homes Public Housing Complex.

Patrolman Bennett was patrolling a site where homes were being built when he was shot and killed by an unknown person. Patrolman Bennett's patrol car was found crashed near the intersection of Erato Street and Freret Street shortly after 7:00 am. Responding Officers found Patrolman Bennett inside the patrol car fatally wounded.

Patrolman Bennett had served with the Housing Authority of New Orleans Police Department for two years and had previously served with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office for 13 years."

Age: 45
Tour: 15 years
Badge # 119
Cause: Gunfire
Weapon: Gun; Unknown type
Offender: At large

Originally published Feb 2016