| Notes |
- From the Vallejo Times-Herald:
By RICHARD FREEDMAN | Vallejo Times Herald
PUBLISHED: March 22, 2017 at 12:00 a.m. | UPDATED: August 29, 2018 at 12:00 a.m.
The young cops who never knew him stood in uniform in quiet respect. The old, retired cops pondered years on the beat with their prankster comrade. Longtime sports teammates told stories of a fun-loving guy who enjoyed a good laugh as much as he did drawing an ace and king in Black Jack.
John Lammon, a proud Vallejo police officer of 30 years until retirement and a past president of the Vallejo Police Athletic League, was saluted Wednesday morning in a memorial service at the USA World Classics Event Center.
Lammon died March 11 after a 13-year battle with multiple myeloma. He was 72.
An estimated 300 people attended the nearly 2-hour service officiated by Pastor Chris Cowan of Hillcrest Baptist Church.
Police Chief Andrew Bidou said it was “unfortunate” Lammon was retired before he joined Vallejo, but the attendance “speaks volumes to the type of person he was.”
The number of citizens at the service attested to Lammon’s “dedication to the community,” Bidou said, attributing the number of officers of every rank and age attending as evidence of Lammon’s loyalty to “the brotherhood.”
Though the events center was standing room only, “John deserves double this,” believed retired Sgt. Jim Lyon, who “worked years and years” with Lammon.
“And everything (positive) that was said today, double that,” Lyon added, taking no time to explain why Lammon was a good officer.
“John was just honest,” Lyon said. “He didn’t care if you were a criminal or the nicest guy in the world. John would go out of his way for you. That’s the way he was.”
What set Lammon apart?
“Humility, compassion, perseverance. Just his heart and core,” said John Cunningham, who retired from the VPD in 1986.
“Husband, father friend. Just an all-around good guy,” praised Officer John Ehman, 28 years with the VPD and long-time Lammon friend.
When Ehman worked Thanksgiving, Lammon would have him over for dinner.
“He always had compassion for people,” Lehman said. “And John had more faith in me than I had in myself.”
Verenese Allen was housekeeper for Lammon for 28 years and became “really good friends,” she said.
“He cared,” she said. “He wasn’t fake.”
Fernando Diaz, another retired officer, remembered Lammon as an outstanding field training officer.
“He taught me well,” Diaz said.
Lammon was also described as a jokester, yet stern. And, to a certain extent, mildly quirky, known by family as “king of the appetizers.”
Then there was that one black glove Lammon wore on his left hand while he drove with his naked right hand that became part of the department’s lore.
“I always asked about his left hand and the black leather glove,” said Cpl. Jeff Bassett, wondering if it helped Lammon draw his gun quicker or perhaps merely became a signature fashion statement. Lammon finally explained that he would remove the right glove while writing tickets and would leave it on the roof of his squad car. So he stopped wearing the right glove, though one officer whispered that it’s still on his front seat, sculpted into an obscene finger gesture.
Lyon said there is a treasure chest filled with humorous stories about Lammon, a 1962 Vallejo High School graduate.
Unfortunately, “I don’t think you can print any of it,” Lyon said.
Retired officer Mike Kollar met Lammon while the two toiled for the Vallejo post office in their pre-police days.
“He loved traveling. He loved gambling. He was a proud father,” Kollar said. “I will miss him. I know he’s not suffering any more.”
Lammon’s nephew, Andy Domenici, delivered an emotional speech about following in his uncle’s footsteps in becoming a Richmond police officer.
“He was a true warrior who always had my back,” Domenici said.
Between testimonies, one of Lammon’s favorite songs — “Hallelulah” — was performed with the memorial closing with “Amazing Grace.”
“John brought true meaning to the word ‘family,’” said Sgt. Brent Garrick. “He took care of his VPD family just as he did his own family and we are grateful that his family shared him with us.”
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1944 - 2017 (72 years)