TIFTON, Ga. — A memorial service was held on June 29 for Jessie James “Bam” Harris. Harris was murdered five years ago in his house on Timmons Drive.

His mother was surrounded by family and friends where the crime took place to celebrate Harris’s birthday five years after the tragedy.

The house has since been torn down because Tifton Police Department reported high crime rates along alley ways in the city, according to Harris’ mother Kim Espinoza.

Family and friends hung a banner that read, “Justice for Bam” along a fence where the house once was. His mother passed out vehicle decals that said the same thing.

The morning memorial service started with those gathered swapping funny stories and memories of Harris. Everyone laughed when they remembered him driving around in his green pickup truck with flames painted on the sides.

Harris served in the Army as an infantryman and was stationed in Texas for the majority of his time in the service. He had been out of the Army for close to a year when he was murdered at the front door to his house.

Espinoza held the memorial service in hopes that someone will be reminded about the murder and come forward with some information regarding her son’s death.

“My greatest fear is it will take 25 years or longer and I won’t be alive when they found out what happened to my son,” said Espinoza.

According to Espinoza, the case almost went cold but investigators in the area are still searching for clues and answers.

After saying a prayer, everyone gathered around to drink a Yoo-hoo. This was Harris’ favorite drink of choice.

Espinoza remembered her son saying, “Yoo-hoo makes everything better.” After the drinks were passed out, everyone sang “Happy Birthday” and released birthday balloons into the air.

“We want to do what we can so that the investigators can find something out,” said Espinoza. “We don’t want them to stop investigating because nothing has turned up.”

Anyone who has any information regarding the death of Harris can contact the Tifton Police Department at 229-382-3132.