I learned late yesterday afternoon, November 28, 2008 that my friend of many years had died that morning at 0430 hrs, at the age of 65. Paul’s wife Jane called me and told of my friend’s passing. Paul was my go to guy for any kind of handwriting issues; he was one of this country’s foremost experts in handwriting forensics. He was the real deal and I am honored that he allowed me to call him a friend. The laughs we had were also very real — as soft spoken as Paul was, he still had a cop’s sense of humor.
One of the first names I heard when I met Paul many years ago was Jane; please believe me when I tell you that Paul and Jane were on an eternal honeymoon. I was always so impressed that when you spoke to one or the other it was if you were speaking to them both.
Paul and I met when I was on an assignment and needed some real help…Beverly Hills Police was where I went and Paul was the guy I spoke to. I asked and Paul came to the rescue and due to his hard work, a couple of people got their money back after a “flim-flam” makeup artist had ripped them off in a Ponzi scheme. I cannot tell you how hurt I am that I will never again hear the soft-spoken Paul tell me not to worry, that he can figure it out, he always had the answer. We did a pilot for COURT TV that I had Paul and another friend, Bobby Jakucs, on to help with an investigation…Paul was great and even in that short taping Paul was just being himself, a true legend from the ranks of law enforcement and as entertaining as they come. When Paul told you “this is what happened,” that was the gospel!
Paul Edholm retired from the Beverly Hills Police Department in 2000 after a 30 year career. I was with Paul while he was a cop, I was at is retirement dinner in 2000 and I will be at his memorial service in 2008. Paul, thank you so much for being a friend and a confidante.
John
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I was fortunate to have an all-too-brief opportunity to work with Paul, and he was all that you say. So knowledgeable, and so generous with that knowledge, and a really nice guy. Class act all the way. I am very sad to hear of his passing. My sympathies to his family and friends.
Nice tribute to Big Paulie. He and I worked together as detectives at BHPD. He was very proud of his work and success in locking up all sorts of crooks and a great source for us as working detectives. His strong work ethic was complimented by a very droll, dry sense of humor. He was a man of action that would follow through on his threat to sit on you. You either ran away or got flattened! He will be greatly missed by those of us that shared the special bond that cops share.
Rest in peace Paul. Paul played an important role in me joining the law enforcement family over thirty years ago. He did my background to become a Beverly Hills Police Cadet (1977) and later a BHPD Reserve Police Officer(1979). He was very supportive when I left the BHPD to join the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department (1980). Even though I had not seen him in many year, he was thought of often. Thanks for all you help and support Paul, I’m still “On the Job”! My sympathies to his family and friends.
Paul, Today is your birthday, and I called to wish you happy birthday. I am stunned. I know you are close in spirit. I will celebrate you and your life, and our friendship forever. You are one of the most amazing, generous and kind friends I have ever known, and I am so blessed to have known you! May you be at peace, and surrounded by Angels. I never want to say goodbye to you… as you will always live on in my heart!
Happy Birthday! I too cannot express the lost that I feel not having Paul to call anymore. Of course I also miss him calling me an “asshole” as only Paul could do.
Life is tough when you are young and then as you grow old your phone book gets smaller and smaller.
Till your time comes and someone I hope will remember a few light hearted moments you bring to mind.
Your ‘old’ Friend,
John
It has already been over four months and I still have taken Paul off of my e-mail. Hardly a week goes by that I dont think of him and wish he was still around.
God I miss him……..
John
I was deeply saddened to hear in an email from Jane Edholm that Paul had passed away. I first met Paul in 1984 at the Beverly Hills Police Department whilst on a trip over from England. Although we were 6000 miles away, I considered him to be a very dear friend and we met up on every trip I had over to California throughout the years and we always stayed in touch by letter and then email when the internet was invented.
My daughter was only 12 when she met Paul in 2001 and often told her friends about the “real Beverly Hills cop that she knows”. She shares my sadness at the loss of such a dear friend and a great guy.
Rest in peace old buddy,
Paul Harrison (England)
Jacob Berkowicz January 12,2010 10:50 a.m.
Rest in peace adopted Big Brother. Paul.. you set the bar for being a consummate professional. You breathe life into being a “Mensch”. You are alive and well in the hearts of the peole you enriched.
My sympathies to your wife Mrs. Edholm and your daughter, Michelle.
Your adopted little brother,
Jack
Today I decided to look up an old friend who helped me in my career as an Investigator. In my search I discovered my friend Paul Edholm had passed away. My heart is so saddened that I did not keep in touch as I promised last we spoke.I remember he was so excited about the dollhouse he was building for his grandaughter he even sent me pictures and we laughed joking about have to get a construction permit….he was so excited about the dollhouse and making his grandaughter happy. Mr. Paul Edholm, you will always have a special place in my heart,may you rest in peace. My deepest sympathy to your family, may they find solace in knowing you were so well loved and respected by many.
Joyce Wilson
I just learned of Pauls passing. I tried to call him and found his phone was no longer in service. I left a message on his cph and found it no longer belonged to him … I had an awful feeling. I did some checking and discovered his passing throughs Johns site. Paul taught forensic document examinations for me as part of our classes we provide. He was truly the best at what he did and a very thoughtful and kind man. God bless his soul. My thoughts go out to his family.
Tim Lewis
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