By KEITH GRANT
Patrick "PJ" Bradley had touched a lot of people in his 42 years. And as many as possible reached out to say goodbye.
Bradley, 42, a 15-year member of the Long Beach Police Department and the father of one, died last Thursday, Sept. 18, in a drowning accident off Lincoln beach. His death shocked his department, his community and his family. Yet those who knew him best also knew that for Bradley, life was an adventure.
"For PJ," his brother Michael told mourners, "part of the adventure was finding out what's next."
According to Long Beach police, Bradley went into the storm-driven ocean at Neptune Beach just before 6 p.m. last Thursday. From far to the south, Hurricane Isabel had turned Long Beach's waters into dangerous, raging surf. But to Bradley, who swam some 300 days a year, it was a challenge. According to police, Bradley was managing the rough waters just fine until he was driven into the jetty at Franklin Boulevard.
Witnesses next spotted his body one beach west, at Lincoln Boulevard, where rescuers responded quickly and pulled the body to shore. One of those first responders, according to police, was Bradley's colleague, Detective Mark Stark. Police, arriving EMTs and firefighters worked to revive Bradley all the way to Long Beach Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Bradley was a decorated and respected member of the department, which was left reeling by his death. "The police department is shattered," said his friend and partner, Detective James Canner. "Everybody had admiration and respect for the guy."
Bradley was the constant center of attention, Canner said. "We would walk into a room and his presence was unbelievable." If he didn't know you, Canner said, he'd walk right over and introduce himself. And if you found yourself in need of help sometime down the road, he was a man you could count on.
"He picked a lot of people up and sent them in the right direction," Canner said. "That was his life, just saying, 'How can I help you?' Everywhere I go, all I hear is what a real special guy he was."
"He was just a dominating personality," said Police Commissioner John Laffey. "Just a great guy." Laffey called Bradley a dedicated officer and a skilled detective, a position he was promoted to just over a year ago.
"PJ was one of the best street cops I ever saw," said Laffey, who spent about 30 years with the NYPD before coming to Long Beach. He noted that Bradley was one of the first officers he promoted to the detective division after becoming commissioner. "I thought the world of him," Laffey said. "One of the best cops I ever worked with. Policing was in his soul."
Bradley was known throughout Long Beach, but his work probably brought him closest to the North Park neighborhood, where he was described as a caring cop, a friend and a big brother to the community, always there to lend a helping hand.
"He loved what he did," the commissioner said. "PJ was born to be a cop. He loved the department, he loved his family, and he loved Long Beach."
Staring at a photo of the detective, Laffey said, "Look at this bald-headed guy. ... He was bigger than life. He didn't have any frailties. Strong, tough. And at the same time, if you saw him with his daughter, he was a mush."
Bradley was born on Feb. 7, 1961. He came home from the hospital four days later, on his older brother Michael's birthday. Their parents told Michael that PJ was his birthday present.
"It took me until my 40s to realize what a gift he was to me," Michael said.
In his eulogy, Michael said his brother was a "true Irish romantic." He had a passion for life, Michael said, always seeking to have a good time. And more than likely, he'd tell you just how good a time it was.
"There are two kinds of people in the world, doers and talkers," Michael said. "PJ was both."
But more seriously, he said, PJ thought that everyone was special. And no matter who you were, he made you feel that way. "He put his hand out to everybody he met," Michael said. "Everyone knew he wasn't full of s---. He wanted to help. He'd take people in. Drive people to rehabs. And he'd have fun along the way." He had an ability to be childlike in a way that would quickly gain the attention of any kids around. "They knew they were playing with another kid when he was in the room. He was like Peter Pan."
Simply put, Bradley had a passion for living and a passion for helping others learn how to live. His greatest passion, though, was his own child, daughter Carly Rose. "Carly was his best friend," Canner said. "He loved to hear her play the piano." Father and daughter were a lot alike, Canner said, a great source of pride for Bradley. Adventurous, witty and tough, they seemed to be two of a kind. Bradley, a swimmer since the first grade, was thrilled to see Carly become a member of the Tigersharks, the Long Beach Recreation swim team. Swimming became something he could share with his daughter.
"He felt the water was sacred," Michael said. "It was the closest he could get to God. It was being in God's creation."
Bradley needed to be in the water, he said. He was known to get off a midnight shift and go down to the water. "He had to be in it," Michael said. "That was him with everything in life. Whatever it was, he had to be in it."
PJ, Michael said, just always "wanted to do the next thing. There was more life to be had, and he wanted to have it."
Last Thursday, he simply wanted to be in the water, and little would have stopped him. "This was what he wanted to do," said his brother. "He wanted to be in that water that day. Nothing in the world would've stopped him."
Bradley leaves behind his wife, Tara; their daughter, Carly Rose; two brothers, Charles and Michael; and four sisters, Annabelle, Betty Jean, Maggie and Patsy.
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hed: Void to fill for Polar Bears
As far as his family and friends are concerned, PJ Bradley can never be replaced, but one area where they hope his void can be filled is with the Long Beach Polar Bear Club. Bradley was one of the crew of crazy local swimmers who, a few years ago, thought a Super Bowl Sunday swim would be a good idea. It was just crazy enough to become an annual Long Beach tradition.
Three years ago, Bradley thought there could be a way to turn the event into something positive, more positive than just great conversation fodder.
"We all did it for the fun of it," said brother Michael. "PJ said, 'While we're having some fun, let's do it for a good cause.'" Bradley helped turn the event into a fund-raiser for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, which he chose in memory of his brother's late son, Paulie.
"He thought it was the best thing in the world," Michael said.
Michael hopes that more Long Beach people will find a passion for the event like his brother did and offer their support. In just a few years, the Polar Bear swim has grown from dozens of swimmers to hundreds, and from raising thousands of dollars to tens of thousands. On Irish Day, Oct. 4, T-shirts for the 2004 Polar Bear swim will officially go on sale. The new shirts will include the slogan, "This one's for you, PJ."
