Fil-Ams honor Vallejo lawman

An estimated 4,000 people gathered for a memorial service in Vallejo last week to pay respect to city Police Officer Jim Capoot, who was killed in the line of duty November 17.

Capoot, a former U.S. Marine Officer, was a long-time fixture in the city and a friend to the city’s greater Filipino community, whose many members attended the service to offer their prayers and condolences.

Lilian Foronda, owner the North Bay Awards trophy store on Tennessee

Street, walked the distance from her store to the memorial service accompanied by her friends, Nene Mempin and Cornelio Bornales. Parking was limited and because of the tight security presence attendees, were asked to arrive on foot.

Foronda said that Capoot, a 19-year veteran of the Vallejo Police Department, frequented her store and was held in high regard not only because of his duty serving the public, but also because the time he gave back to youth sports.

“Officer Capoot was a regular customer at our trophy store, when he coached the

Vallejo High School girls varsity basketball team,” said Foronda to FilAm Star. “I was saddened and touched when I learned that he was shot. He was a well respected police officer because of his kind and helpful demeanor.”

Capoot, 45, was revered throughout the community because of his role as a coach who changed the lives of many, but at the same time was able to balance his role as husband and father of three teenage daughters.

In his remarks, during the memorial service, Vallejo Police Chief Robert Nichelini touched on his fellow officer’s no-nonsense approach.

“He was a ‘yes sir, no sir, no excuses sir’ kind of guy,” Nichelini said. “…But he was a sound decision-maker and tactical thinker.”

Retired Vallejo Police Sergeant and Pastor Robert Lee delivered the opening prayer and described Capoot as a loving and devoted father, husband, coach, neighbor, and friend. Lee urged those at the memorial to celebrate the spirit of Capoot as a police officer who lived a full and extraordinary life, and most importantly as one that impacted the lives of others.

Feelings that were affirmed by Capoot’s beat partner and friend, Vallejo Police Officer Alan Caragan.

Caragan, a Filipino American, eulogized his comrade with an emotional but light-humored delivery, in which he said that Capoot, “was like a brother to him, and had the heart of a lion.”

Hundreds of police officers from all over California made their way to the memorial, where they showed their respect for the slain officer as a result of an attempted bank robbery. Governor Jerry Brown and Assemblymember Michael Allen also attended the service.