Testa, A Guest Blog by John Ford, Photos by Ann-Marie Ford

Today, I smiled at a recollection that I had about a fellow Sharon Police Officer. His name was Jim Testa He served the community of Sharon for many years.  

When I was about ten years old, back in 1966, I was sitting on the steps of my grandfather’s house at 140 South Main Street. About three houses further down on South Main Street, I could make out some teenage kids propping up a big sheet of plywood. On the plywood were large sloppy letters that spelled out “TESTA” in yellow house paint. My dad, also a Sharon Police Officer for many years, came outside and sat next to me. I heard him chuckle when he saw what the teenagers were propping up to face southbound traffic on Main Street. I asked my dad what that sign meant. In typical Andy Griffith small town police vernacular, he explained, “Johnny, that sign means that somebody’s life may be saved today.” 

You see Jimmy Testa had a reputation for stopping cars in town. Without knowing it, those teenagers were doing exactly what Officer Testa wanted. They were slowing down traffic and making the Sharon streets safer because of it. Jim Testa probably saved numerous lives without knowing it, simply by being a good street cop.

Jimmy was a gruff ex-Boston cop who you knew not to mess with. What the community of Sharon also knew, was that Jim Testa had a big smile and an even bigger heart. In later years, I would recall Jim Testa as one of Sharon’s first detectives, decked out in a lime green polyester leisure suit of the 70’s. But mostly, I remember him as the tough but friendly cop that used to hang out at my uncle Italo Bendinelli’s store in the center of Sharon and I also remember him as dad’s friend. 

Over the years, and particularly since becoming a member of the Sharon Police Force, I have heard numerous old “war stories” involving men like Jimmy. Some of those stories are funny, some are poignant He once climbed a scaffolding and risked his own life to save a despondent man when he worked for Boston. He was a true hero. I also heard stories whereby Jimmy helped numerous people out of bad situations.

James Testa served the town well as a faithful servant in blue. He will be missed. Men like him make me proud to be part of the history of the Sharon Police Department. I believe Jimmy will see that big “TESTA” sign welcoming him to heaven…. holding it will be angels representing the lives he saved through his service to the town of Sharon.

Sharon Police Lieutenant John Ford

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James Testa served on the Sharon PD from 1962 to 1985 (retiring as a Detective Patrolman) with great pride and dignity. He recently passed away.