James D. Tatreau

James D. Tatreau Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, James D. Tatreau, a 37-year member and Commander of the Los Angeles Police Department, passed away at the age of 58, on April 29, 2007. He was born July 19, 1948 in Long Beach, CA and resided in Cerritos for over 35 years. Known for his devotion to his family, he was dedicated to his wife, Tammy, sons, Ji m Jr. (LASD lieutenant), Scott (Mesa Arizona PD officer), and young daughters, Tiffany and Tatum. Jim was a loyal, tenacious, outspoken defender and staunch supporter to his large extended family, both relatives and police officers. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, always leaving friends laughing and shaking their heads at his sometimes irreverent insight. Jim was a rare mix of sensitivity and fighter. Believing everyone had a story to tell, he listened to them all and encouraged a second chanc e for all who fell short of their first attempt at getting it right. He fought for those without a voice, while helping them find their own. Jim was a great story teller. His favorites included childhood memories, growing up the sixth of eight children and youngest son of Willard (Tate) and Mary Tatreau, in Long Beach, CA. As a redhead, he always stood out and easily accepted his leadership role as the oldest of the "three little ones," after his father passed away when Jim was just 7 years old. He attended St. Matthews Catholic School, just two blocks from the family home and a few blocks from "Tatreau's Family Restaurant". He attended St. John Bosco High School and graduated in 1966 from Long Beach Woodrow Wilson. Jim had a lifetime love of basketball, honing his skills on courts all over the United States. Jim married at 19 while attending Long Beach City College and started his family. After getting several speeding tickets by Long Beach motor officers equipped with radar on Atherton Street, he struck up a friendship and stopped to talk with them whenever he saw them staked out. This began his interest in law enforcement and ended his collection of tickets. He became a student worker for the LAPD and entered the police academy in 1970. Joining the LAPD with returning Vietnam Veterans, Jim oftentimes found himself out of step while marching, but discovered that this wasn't always a bad thing. Throughout his career, he wasn't bothered that he sometimes marched alone for a cause or people he believed in. If yo u were being run out of town, Jim was the guy who would get in front of the crowd and make it look like a parade. He rose through the ranks and people naturally followed him with the same loyalty he showed so many of them. He amassed many new stories from his time as a street cop, vice officer, supervisor, watch commander, captain and staff officer. He loved to attend roll calls and regale the young officers with the stories and their morals, always teaching along the way. "The Giving Tree", by Shel Silvers tein was his favorite book, with the theme of giving to others - the motto and example of his life. His children, family and friends cherish their inscribed copies given by Jim as gifts for special occasions or "just because". As a young lieutenant, Jim's life began anew when he met the love of his life and best friend, a young police officer, Tammy. A mere four weeks after dating, he confessed to his sister that they began discussing marriage after just two weeks together. His sister assured him that there were only two outcomes to the situation, either the marriage would fail and people would say they rushed into marriage or they would be married for the rest of their lives and people would say it was "love at first sight". It was the latter and Jim and Tammy formed a strong, loving, supportive, family including Jim's sons, Jimmy and Scott, and Tammy's nephew, Jeremy whom she was raising. Jim and Tammy were also foster parents to a young girl, Wanda, whom Tammy encountered through work. Jim believed every kid deserved every chance and you never give up on kids or family. Their pride swelled when Jimmy joined the LASD, and Scott followed, forging a career with the Mesa Arizona PD. As they continued their busy lives, they returned to Cal State LA where they earned their Masters Degrees together. They were soon blessed by their pride and joy, redheaded baby girls, Tiffany and Tatum. Jim's soft side was visible now for all to see in the love, patience, care, guidance, coaching, and motivation he lavished on his girls. Like many others before them, they found that "Daddy" was a soft place to fall, to talk out their problems, share their disappointments and dreams or discuss the latest "American Idol" episode. Jim had a love of music, especially the lyrics, which he always made sure were listened to closely. Tiffany was daddy's little girl, curling up in his lap every chance she got. Tatum was definitely her father's daughter, clearly inheriting Jim's cunning wit. He was so proud of his girls and the young ladies th ey are becoming. Jim and Tammy loved Hawaii and spent annual vacations at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel (KBH), where they were welcomed and treated like family. In July, they treated 14 family members, including grandchildren, Jordan and Jake, on their last family visit to Maui. Jim and Tammy opened their home to family and friends for many occasions, and always with that special aloha spirit. Jim had only one fear in life, and that was leaving his children fatherless, echoing the loss of his own father at the tender age of 7. After being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2005, Jim, with Tammy by his side each step of the way, braved the treatment and clinical trial offered at the City of Hope. They were grateful for the outstanding care and groundbreaking treatment he received from the doctors and caregivers at the City of Hope. Special thanks to Dr. Michael Jensen, Dr. Behnam Badie, Dr. Adam Mamelak, Dr. Robert Morgan; RN, Brenda Williams; GCRC Nurses, Mary, Michelle and Ernie; as well as Dr. William Sutherling, Pasadena; and Dr. Anil Bhandari, Los Angeles. Like his favorite story, "The Giving Tree", Jim, Tammy and the doctors had given it their all. Like his father before him, we lost him too young. We will remember his dignity and grace, his integrity, his stories, his wisdom, kindness, generosity, his humor and laughter. We will remember to always lift the person up who has fallen down and encourage them on their way. We will remember being surrounded and engulfed in his love! Jim was predeceased by his father, "Tate" in 1956 and his beloved mother, Mary, who passed away in January, 2007. He often bragged that all the really important lessons in life he learned from his mom. We are comforted that she will once again cradle her youngest son in her arms. Jim is survived by his indomitable and loving wife, Tammy; sons, Jim Jr. (Wendy), Scott; daughters, Tiffany and Tatum; grandchildren, Jordan and Jake; sisters, Mary Frances Danielson (Dan), Jeanie San Jose, Dodie Newberger, Kathleen Lingener and Terri Tatreau; brot hers, Chuck (Adair) and Chris (Marsha) Tatreau. In addition, he is survived by his mother-in-law, Nancy Barker; father-in-law, Paul Barker (Rose); sister-in-law, Debbie Voll (Terry); brother-in-law, Paul Barker; 22 nieces and nephews and 29 great nieces and nephews, in addition to a lifetime legion of devoted friends. A celebration of his life will be begin with a visitation at All Souls Mortuary Chapel, 4400 Cherry Avenue. Long Beach, Monday, May 7, 2007, from 3 PM to 6 PM. A vigil will follow at 7 PM at S t. Pius V, 7691 Orangethorpe Avenue, Buena Park. Funeral service will be held on May 8, at 9:30 AM, at St. Pius V, with interment to follow at All Souls Cemetery. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the City of Hope, Brain Cancer Research in his memory. City of Hope, ATTN: Gift Planning, 1055 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90099-9269, ATTN: Rick Leonard.