A photo of Jeff Monreal, owner and operator of Jeff Monreal Funeral Homes posing in a black suit with no background

Painesville Location

1000 Mentor Avenue Painesville, Ohio 44077

Willoughby Location

38001 Euclid Avenue Willoughby, Ohio 44094

Mentor Location

6330 Center Street Mentor, Ohio 44060

James Terence McBride

4/08/1945 - 10/28/2024

James (“Chief”, “JT”, “Jim”) Terence McBride’s life began 79 years ago in Youngstown, Ohio on April, 8, 1945. He grew up in an Irish Catholic home with a number of family members in local fire departments, including his father who was an Assistant Chief. He passed away on October 28, 2024 surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer.

He proudly served as the Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police for Lakeland Community College Police Department for 28 years, including police academy commander. He dedicated 44 years of his life to law enforcement including service in the Youngstown Police Department, Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office, Grand River Police Department and Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Always honoring the fallen, he was a bagpiper for the Pipes and Drums of the Cleveland Division of Police. He wrote over 200 articles and poems published in professional journals and publications including “Pipe Me Down, Lads.” He co-authored several books including “History of Lake County Law Enforcement.” He spent his leisure time writing songs and playing the guitar and keyboards. He served in the Ohio Army National Guard and U.S Army Reserve and was involved in many local veteran groups. More recently, he was on the Lake County ADAMHS board, the Lake County Juvenile Court civilian case review board and Lakeland Community College part-time faculty. 

As a certified law enforcement executive, he was a member of FOP Lodge 116 Western Lake County, Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, Greater Cleveland Peace Officer Memorial Society, Greater Cleveland Police Emerald Society, Lake County Blue Coats and Greater Cleveland Metropolitan crime clinic.

Jim leaves behind a legacy of service and dedication to his community and will be greatly missed for his generosity and his wit. After the sudden death of his daughter, Shannon, in 2003, he was inspired to give away angel pins to first responders and anyone who served others ever since.  

Jim’s friends and family will miss him tremendously including his beloved wife Laura McBride (nee Owen) of Mentor; daughters Michele McBride and Kelly McBride; granddaughters Ember and Scarlette Washlock; sister Mary Louise Lyons of Wilmington, Delaware; nieces Kathy Barry and Luanne Powell and nephew James Lyons. He was predeceased by his daughter Shannon McBride, his nephew Timmy Lyons and both parents.

The McBride family will receive friends and family from 2:00 – 7:00 PM Sunday, November 3rd, 2024 at Jeff Monreal Funeral Home, 1000 Mentor Ave., Painesville. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, November 4th, 2024 at Body of Christ Community Church, 38057 Erie Rd., Willoughby (The service will be live streamed www.youtubebodyofchristcommunity.com ). Private interment at All Souls Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations please to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Cancer Research or Chief McBride Commander Emeritus scholarship at Lakeland Community College.

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21 Replies to “James Terence McBride”

  1. Chief your experience and love for all will be missed

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  2. You will be greatly missed Rest In Peace

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  3. Sincere condolences to family and his many friends.

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  4. It was an honor to have known you. Still have the Guardian Angel you gave me when my daughter passed away. RIP Jim.

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  5. Theresa Cangelosi November 1, 2024 at 12:16 am

    John and I are saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. I will never forget how he took the time to walk the sidewalks of South Euclid in search of my son when the little fellow neglected to show up after school. Jim was there for us. Terri & John Cangelosi

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  6. Condolences Laura and the rest of Jim’s family.

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  7. Condolences Laura and family,

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  8. Joseph S. Grzelak CPD pipes and drums BPD Ret. November 1, 2024 at 6:35 pm

    Jim you will be missed. I always enjoyed our conversations over how the band was being run. Still have the pin.

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  9. My sincere condolences to the McBride family, thank you for your service and friendship….

    With highest regards,

    Dennis Svozil
    Parma Hts., Ohio

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  10. Condolences to Laura and the rest of the McBride family.

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  11. Jim you have touched so many of our lives @ Body of Christ community. You are watching over all of us now our Chief guardian. We will all see you again one day.

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    1. Julie & Al’s comments are felt by many. I love that….. “Chief guardian”.
      ???? Lou & Shelley Abraham

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  12. Pat and Joe Chambers November 2, 2024 at 4:56 pm

    Thoughts and prayers to Chief McBrides family. I met all of you when we all went to Ireland many years ago with thePolice and Fire Pipe band. He was a good guy and will be missed.

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  13. Patrick F O'Brien, Founder of the National Conference of Law Enforcement Emerald Societies November 3, 2024 at 3:06 pm

    Jim was a credit to the law enforcement community. I have known Jim for over 30years. In 1995, Jim was the co-founder of the National Emerald Society and Pipe band March in Washington DC. He dedicated is life to the law enforcement and Irish community. Some of Jim’s writings as well a Piper display case is at the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington DC

    Jim was a legend and will be missed greatly

    Patrick F. O’Brien-Founder of the National Conference of Law Enforcement Emerald Societies

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  14. Petronilla Ragland November 3, 2024 at 6:43 pm

    Uncle JT,
    As I was in my cancer journey I would always be able to count on you to check in on me and my family and my mom as you were on your own journey. Your uplifting words and encouragement really meant a lot to me.

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  15. Catherine Kenny November 3, 2024 at 6:58 pm

    Laura and family; I was so sorry to learn of Jim’s passing. He will always be the Chief at Lakeland. Such a caring and generous individual. I appreciated working with both you and Jim for so many years. May you find peace knowing that so many care.

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  16. We started our friendship many years ago in DC during Police Week. You helped spearhead the Memorial March to the NLEOM that’s still going on almost 30 years later. You were a dear friend I’m glad we stayed in touch and I know you fought hard. Gonna miss you but I know Shannon has her dad back. My sincerest condolences to your family.

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  17. JT, your friendship was precious and you will be very missed by all who knew you. I remember our first meeting when you hosted the traveling wall and coordinated (and supported) the Veteran’s groups participating. I also remember your support when we lost our Christine and you shared the agony, 18 months later, of losing Shannon. I believe that you have been reunited with everyone who went before. Sending my love and prayers to your wife, daughters and granddaughters.

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  18. Thoughts and prayers to your family. It was an honor and pleasure to have known you. I wear your guardian angel pin and think of you and Shannon. Rest easy Chief!

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  19. Condolences.
    Honored and privileged to know Jim.

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  20. Anonymous from the past….. January 18, 2025 at 2:02 am

    Laura,

    So sorry about Jim. He helped me out a lot. He was really a great man. I miss your smiling face as well. Hugs and prayers

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