In Memory of Officer Roscoe Jolla

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Category: In Memory Of
Published on Monday, 12 October 2015 14:45
Written by Senior Lead Officer Charles Thomas
Oct15JollaThis story is about a man who was a good friend and co-worker for the past 20 years.  A man who was kind to everyone he came in contact with, regardless of your status in life.  Roscoe always had a kind word or the Word of God for you.  Roscoe was a God fearing man that attended church regularly and took good care of his family.  

On September 1952 in the state of Louisiana, Roscoe Jolla was born. Roscoe, having a passion for service, joined the United States Army, dedicated twenty-four years of his life to the military and was promoted to the rank of Sgt. First Class.  He left the service with an honorable discharge.  

In 1987, Roscoe came to Los Angeles, California where he joined the Los Angeles Police Department.  In 1989 Roscoe and I [Officer Charles Thomas] first met at Southeast Division. At this time we did not work together.  Our great friendship began when we both came to Wilshire Division and were promoted to the ranks of Senior Lead officers.  Roscoe was in charge of the area of 3rd Street corridor, The Beverly Center and Cedar Sinai Hospital.  Roscoe would visit the small retail stores on 3rd Street regularly, so much so that he got to know everyone very well.  I was present when Roscoe and a store merchant conversed over politics and  the store merchant stated, “You should run for mayor! Roscoe, you are an honest man, you care for people and you are well known around here."  Roscoe began to laugh, the man with a serious face said you should run.  The following day we came to his store again and as we walked through the door the merchant would state "the mayor of 3rd Street is here." We began to laugh.  He was also the Senior Lead for the Mid City Neighborhood Council area. 

Senior Lead Officer Roscoe Jolla had his retirement party October 30, 2013.  Roscoe and his lovely wife Suzette moved out of state to enjoy their retirement.  We stayed in touch and in May of 2014 Roscoe call me and said he had cancer, I at first thought he was joking and when he didn’t laugh I knew it was real.  We prayed and continued to talk daily.  Roscoe was visiting California when he fell ill and Senior Lead Officer Roscoe Jolla was peacefully called home on the morning of Wednesday, August 26, 2015 in Riverside, California. Roscoe is survived by his lovely wife Suzette and three beautiful daughters, Tanya, Lakiesha and Enza. 

I read this at Roscoe’s memorial, Roman 8:18 KJV “I reckon that the sufferings in this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us”.