November 4, 2004

He traded in his badge…
Remembering Jeffrey Fontana

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

“His shiny boots are silent, no longer echoing in the hall, their steps have been silenced by that final call…he traded his badge for a pair of angel wings, the screams of a siren for the songs angels sing.”

His boots no longer echo in the halls, but the poem read by Jackie Barnes reverberated in the hearts of every family member, friend, firefighter, and fellow officer who attended a candlelight service to honor the life of Jeffrey Fontana last Thursday—the third anniversary of his death.

Fellow officers, family, and friends gathered together on the third anniversary of Jeffrey Fontana’s death for a candlelight ceremony on Oct. 28 at the park that now bears his name. Photo by Kymberli W. Brady.

Admittedly, the past three years have not been easy, but instead served only to contradict what Tony said he had learned while young and in school.

“They tell you justice is swift, justice is fair,” he explained. “But the older you get, you find out that’s not the case.

We learned in physics that light travels in a straight line and hope that every candle here tonight gives substance to our hopes and dreams that justice will be prevailing in this case.”

“It’s been three years,” added Fontana’s mother Sandy. “We just want to keep his memory alive and out there—at least until the trial.”

In speaking to the crowd, Vice Mayor Pat Dando assured everyone that Jeffrey Fontana would not be forgotten.

“For those of us who live in this area, for those who were fortunate enough to know Jeffrey, his memory will live not only in this place, but throughout our city,” she said. “He was a remarkable man—taken from us too soon and in a way that should not happen to anyone. It’s my hope that at some point there will be peace that will come to his family and friends. I think there’s a far better chance of that happening once the trial is over. In order to see justice done for this young man, we’re patient and will continue the watch.”

“All of us would like to live a long and productive life and have a sense of purpose,” added Assistant Chief of Police William Hosmer. “Jeff never had that chance. However, it’s a small comfort to know that after all of us here are long forgotten in history, Jeff’s legacy and his name will live on, because every member of the police department and whoever will be a member of the police department will know of Jeff and the man he was.”

Nearby, a bouquet of yellow roses lay in the lap of the statue that immortalizes the fallen officer and his boyhood dream, with an empty seat that beckons visitors to sit and reflect.

“This is something far more significant than just a statue,” said Dando. “It represents life, passion, and some of the best of what San Jose’s public officers are all about.”