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

4/25/2015

10 Comments

 
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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.
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10 Comments
Rob Howard
4/25/2015 02:10:24 am

Very nice tribute to an icon of Sharon's history. Mean looking, gruff, scary to most, he was a very kind and caring man. Thankfully, he knew my dad too so never got a ticket! Rest in peace.

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Eileen Buckley
4/25/2015 03:32:42 am

Hi, a nice tribute to TESTA..I remember when he began working in Sharon,Through high school I worked in the center I saw him on duty and then not .It was like seeing 2 different people.
Can you tell me who the man sitting next to Jim is.. Is it Joe?? He use to be the crossing guard for High Street School..I have many good memories of growing up in Sharon.Joe's positive greeting every day as we crossed Main Street is one of them.

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John
4/25/2015 05:42:13 am

Hi Eileen,

That's Joe Cuneo.... still going strong, he hasn't changed in decades. It must be that Italian olive oil. - John

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Carol Gannon
4/25/2015 10:56:55 am

Very nice tribute John to Mr. Testa - yet another of Sharon's finest who has passed away. So glad Ann-Marie was able to take so many great pictures that day. It was so fun hearing all the stories of an era gone by. They all loved the Museum. I know It meant the world to my Dad and am sure it did to Mr. Testa too. RIP Mr. Testa - you will be missed.

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Joseph A. Pizzi
4/26/2015 03:01:52 am

Jim Testa, what can I say about Jim.......ALOT! I knew Jim better than most people did.I first met Jim in 1974, I was a rookie police officer with the town and a greenhorn to law enforcement. Then I met Jim, you see Jim was my training ofc for the first few months. My first encounter with Jim was somewhat intimitading. Don't get me wrong I wasn't scared of him, well not too much anway, I just didn't know what to expect.
I recall my first day on patrol with Jim vividly, the thing that sticks out formost in my mind is what Jim said to me. He said "Kid" he called me Kid "never forget to treat people the way you want to be treated until they give you a reason not to and always treat people with respect and dignity". I never forgot that and never will.
That quote has served me well in my Law Enforcement career.
That was just one of many times I spent with Jim.
Jim was a tough cop, a fair cop, and a kind cop all rolled into one....
I guess what I'm trying to say is a great roll model.
If I had any questions about my career or life for that matter, Jim was always there for me with good advice.
once my training was completed I was assigned to the 12-8 shift .
now, I'm kind of on my own but I was wrong. I would say to myself what would Jim do in whatever situation came about....it worked.
I recall many mornings when I got of shift I would stop by Jim"s home and have coffee with Jim and Barbara his wonderful wife.
we would discuss how my shift went that night or just life in general.
I thank them both to this day for their guidence and wisdom, it has helped me a great deal in my endeavors.
Jim thankyou for your guidence and wisdom you will always be with me in my mind and heart.
There were many men on the Sharon Police Dept that guided me in my career, to name a few Sgt. George Markt, Sgt Jake Butler,
Sgt Bob Ford, but at the top of my list is, Detective Patrolman James Testa, good man, good husband, good father,
GREAT COP! Thankyou Jim thankyou my friend I will miss you greatly and I will always rember you.

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Michelle Testa
4/26/2015 06:21:08 am

Thank you Joe P. for sharing your experience with my dad. I'm glad you were in my family's life. Good memories ..Thanks.

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Carol Butler Tardivo
4/27/2015 04:40:12 am

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Michelle Testa
4/26/2015 06:23:38 am

Thank you John & Ann Marie for the story and photos.
It is nice to be able to read the stories and comments about my dad.
Thank you for the memories

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Laura Murray
4/26/2015 07:03:08 am

So nice to read this heartwarming story. Growing up in




Sharon was wonderful and John, you were the polite, kind boy who practiced his music so diligently! It is just like you, who has meant so much to the town of Sharon to recognize others. You embody the spirit of what it means to be a Sharonite.

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Carol Butler Tardivo
4/27/2015 04:42:23 am

Joe Pizzi very nice memories and thank you for sharing. John Ford what a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man who was such a very large part of our growing up as well as the old Sharon Police Squad.
RIP Officer Testa

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    Ann-Marie Ford

    After 31 years of teaching, I have decided to retire and start a new chapter of my life as a photographer. It has been my passion for about 7 years now.

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