Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Juan, I'm sorry it took me so long to write to you. I stop by everytime I'm on this site. Everytime I stop by with D.P.S. or they come to my stop, I think of you. I have the fondest memories of the great Douglas parties. I still remember your singing and your jokes. I am truly blessed to have known you. I still try to keep in touch with my 2nd dad, Frank and my brother Frankie even though I don't make it down to see them that often. I just wanted to tell you, a hero like you will never be forgotten, especially since I got married on the anniversary of your death. Until I see you again brother, watch over us.

A. Carrillo Deputy Sheriff
Pinal County S.O.

September 21, 2005

Juan,last month was your 6th year death
anniversary. You are sincerely missed.
I still remember well when we patrolled
Hwy 79, you with the state and I with
Pinal County,with my sincere honor and
respect I once again salute you.

(Former) Officer Johann Bayer
(Former) Arizona Motor Vehicle Division Enforcement

January 13, 2005

Rest In Peace, Your sacrifice shall not be forgotten. God Bless.

Police Officer
Chicago Police Dept.

December 8, 2004

Juan,
May you rest in peace Brother. I had been in a roll over accident that year on June 30th while on patrol! I almost burned to death. It must not have been my time, for just as I thought that it would be my fate to burn alive, two guardian angels, in the form of two teenage boys, came to my rescue and go me out. Just like in the movies, as I was carried away, my patrol vehicle burst into flames! My God, I thank you every day for giving me a second chance!
When I heard and saw on TV the manner of your death, I re-lived my accident again! I hope to God that you did not suffer, I pray to God that you were knocked out. I pray to god for your soul to rest in peace and look over us. You are missed by your friends. Rest in PEACE Brother.

Deputy Belia Fessenden
Pinal County Sheriff's Department/AZ

HE WAS MY UNCLE. SOMEONE VERY INTELLEGANT, VERY TALENTED, AND EXTREMELY MISTERIOUS. HE LOVED HIS CHILDREN. I REMEMBER A TIME WHEN HE WAS PLAYING THE GUITAR. HE ALWAYS PLAYED WONDERFULLY, BUT THAT NIGHT I HAD A LUMP IN MY THROAT.IT WAS AMAZING. LATER  I THOUGHT THAT I WAS JUST BEING SILLY, BUT THAT WAS THE LAST TIME I SAW HIM. I NOW LIVE IN TUCSON, BUT KNOWING THAT HE'S NOT OUT THERE PATROLING IS DEVESTATING. YET, I KNOW THAT HE'S WATCHING ALL OF US. MY UNCLE ALWAYS TOOK CARE OF US. MY LOVE GOES TO MY COUSINS WHO LOST THEIR FATHER, AND TO THE FAMILIES THAT CAN RELATE. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

Lynda Cruz

I was in charge of the Sheriff's Department Mobile Command Center that responded to the scene at I-10 and Sunset the night of this incident.

I also drove the same unit to the re-enactmet the next night. Some of us didn't know who was in the accident-we were doing our jobs like all others. When we went home we all couldn't sleep and just went back to the office. At the briefing I realized that I had worked with this fine gentleman a number of times at "other agency assists". I stop and reflect on those two evenings many times at the "memorial" that the state built at the n/e quad of I-10 W and Sunset--PLEASE-ONE AND ALL GO SEE THIS!!

To the family-well thats another story-it seems my brother's ex-wife used to teach the Cruz children-go figure?   All my Love to the Family and the "family"!

God bless the cops!!

John Parsons
Pima County AZ Sheriff's Dept

God bless you and your family.

PO Doug Eatherton
St. Louis City Police

I can remember when I worked in the property section on graveyard shift at the Pima County Jail and you would bring in someone who you had arrested, which wasn't often, but the prisoner never gave you much trouble in the booking area. I was shocked when I found out that it was you who was killed in that accident. I know that you are in God's hands now and that you watch over us who continue to serve the public, whether you work the street, or in the jail. Your service will never be forgotten.

Casey Jennings
Pima County AZ Sheriff's Dept.

JUAN,
A DAY DOESN'T GO BY I DON'T THINK ABOUT YOU, HOW WE WOULD MEET AT HOUGHTON ROAD WHEN YOUR DAY WAS OVER AND MINE WAS JUST BEGINNING. I STILL REMEMBER THE DAY YOU INVITED ME TO YOUR SQUAD'S " INFORMAL " SQUAD MEETING.
YOU AND I WORKED THE SAME SHIFT THAT NIGHT, WE WERE BOTH ON " OT " AND WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE HOME, BUT YOU TOOK THE WRECK AND MIKE AND I STAYED TO HELP YOU WITH IT. I'LL NEVER FORGET YOUR HUMOR, RIGHT UP TO THE LAST MINUTE WHEN WE WERE FINISHING UP THE MEASUREMENTS AND PREPARING TO OPEN UP THE HIGHWAY.
I'M SORRY I DIDN'T SEE HER COMING ANY EARLIER, I WISH I HAD SO I COULD'VE TOLD YOU TO GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY, BUT I WASN'T QUICK ENOUGH EITHER.
WHEN I LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND SEE MY SCARS, I THINK OF YOU AND THE NIGHT, WHEN ALL OUR LIVES CHANGED FOREVER AND WE LOST A GOOD FRIEND, FATHER, BROTHER, UNCLE, SON, SAVIOUR, HUSBAND TO BE, AND SOMEONE WHO IS MISSED BY ALL, ESPECIALLY ME.

I KNOW YOU'RE KEEPING HEAVENS HIGHWAYS SAFE NOW, SO I'LL DO MY BEST TO KEEP THE DRUNKS OFF OF OURS.

FAREWELL MY FRIEND

Officer Jon Talakte
AZ. DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY