Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

For some reason, this 23rd anniversary since our son’s death, has been a deeply tender one. My memories of him and his life have come to my mind so vividly. As I’m in the winter years of my life, I become so grateful for his continued influence in my life. It’s certainly not uncommon for me to shed tears over the loss of Joe and his brother. I am a blessed mother and count them as blessings that continue in my life.
I pray each day for the Law Enforcement officers who put on the uniform and badge every day to protect and serve our communities.
Be safe so you can go home to your loved ones after your shifts. You are all needed and loved.

Rosemary Adams
Mother to Sergeant Joe Adams

August 16, 2024

23 years since that night, I miss you my friend.

Time has marched on, kids have grown up, families have gotten bigger, the department has nearly quintupled in size, as has the city. All these changes since that horrible night, but you’re not forgotten, by your family, your friends, your co-workers, the department, or the city.

NEVER FORGOTTEN!

LT Kenny Rose
Lehi City Police Department

August 4, 2024

23 years ago. How is it possible? Life is hard... sometimes you feel like you're drowning in it, and it will never end. But God is good. He always offers help, comfort, and love. He's always willing to teach us through the most difficult parts of life when we submit ourselves to Him. Although it hurts, and I wish it never would have happened... I am thankful God has made beauty out of ashes. We have all been affected by Officer Adams' death and his parents' forgiveness of Javier... whether we're aware of it or not. God use us, and please continue to reveal Yourself to Officer Adams family, loved ones and friends. We love You, Father, and we trust You!

Feliz Scamehorn
Sister of Arturo Javier Scott Welch

August 4, 2024

The tragic loss of Sgt. Bill Hooser from the Santaquin Police Department brought my thoughts back to when you were taken from us.

I had hoped, naively I guess, that maybe I could finish the remainder of my career off without having to hear that another officer lost their life serving the citizens of this county. It hurts to know of the familiar pain that another family, department, and community are going through. It hurts to know that there is nothing we can do to ease that pain except to lend support in every way we can. The community support by agencies and citizens has been awesome to witness.

I miss you my friend, you are not forgotten, nor will you ever be.

LT Kenny Rose
Lehi City PD

May 10, 2024

My Mother-heart always feels tender on this day each year. I will always miss this son of mine. The years have gone by so fast, yet slow, as well. I cherish the memories I have and feel blessed and proud to be the Mom of 3 sons in law enforcement. We are very grateful for all the officers who serve and protect us
all!

Rosemary Adams
Joe’s Mom

August 3, 2023

Happy Birthday brother! The years continue to stack on but they cannot erase the loss felt by your family and friends. You are missed and you will never be forgotten.

Kenny Rose
Lehi City Police Department

January 3, 2023

Joe,

It has been a long time, very long. Honestly it is super painful when this memory comes into my mind as it does often. I am so sorry. I don't want to go into details of that night on here. That nights experience invades my thoughts and dreams often. I miss you dearly, I am so sorry. You mean so much to me.

anonymous

November 28, 2022

Another year has passed since our son, Joe, was killed. My heart feels this loss every day, however, I’m always reminded of the tremendous influence for good he left for me to reflect on every day. His only child, a son, got married earlier this year and I am certain he is so proud of the good man he has grown up to be. Joe now has a beautiful daughter- in - law. Time moves forward and memories become even more precious.
I am more grateful each day for all the good law enforcement officers who put on their badge each day and go into our communities to protect and serve.

Rosemary Adams
Joe’s mother

August 5, 2022

We are blood, though I only got to meet you at the reunion at the pavilion when I was 10 in 1995. You were taken from us for no reason, and I cannot wait for the day when we can swap stories. I love you cuz.

M17 Adams
Stockton Pd Motors

February 21, 2022

I thought about Officer Adams during my Blue Courage class today. Although I did not really know him, he and I were in Germany as missionaries at the same time during the mid-1990’s. Later, I was pursuing a career in law enforcement when I received a phone call from a mutual friend advising me that Joe Adams had been killed. I learned he had left behind a wife and a small child. It was an early lesson about the heartache that can often accompany this career. These days, I regularly travel through Lehi to bring my children to college. I always think about Officer Adams’ sacrifice, and am grateful for him and his family.

Captain Todd Baeten
Wausau Police Department

August 12, 2021

I write this reflection on this 20 year mark since this son left our world. He left our hearts and lives with such a big void. I will forever feel so grateful that I could be his mother and have him in my life for the 26 short years he was with us. The many memories he left me with are precious.
I am a proud and thankful law enforcement mother and thank all the good men and women who serve our communities each day as they put on the uniform and badge and provide us with safety.
I miss our Joe every day and have faith we can reunite on a brighter day.

Rosemary Adams
Joe’s mother

August 4, 2021

Has it really been 20 years ago today? Has that much time passed since that fateful night that took so much from your family, your friends, a community?

I know I don’t hate any longer but I can’t help but ache; we’re all entitled to that I think. The events of that night crashed through so many lives like a tsunami; twenty years later the waves have subsided and we are left with the ripples of memories. The good ones, the funny ones, those are the ones I allow to stay, the others, the painful ones, I push out of my mind.

I miss you Joe. You were then and remain now my friend. I honor your memory and your family. A good man, gone far too soon but NEVER WILL HE BE FORGOTTEN!

LT Kenny Rose
Lehi City Police Department

August 4, 2021

I have been doing a lot of thinking today. It has been 19 years ago since that horrible day, so much has happened, especially this year.

I miss you my friend, NEVER FORGOTTEN!!

LT Kenny Rose
Lehi City Police Department

August 5, 2020

Every year on this day, so many memories flood my mind. To lose you was life changing in our family. You left us with a son who has given us so much joy and has been a constant reminder of you through these nineteen years. He’s a great young man. I’m sure you are so proud of him. You are never forgotten. We love our memories of you. We are grateful for your two brothers who serve in law enforcement, as well as all others who put on the badge to protect and serve.

Rosemary Adams
Joe’s mother

August 4, 2020

Thank you for your service

Mark Mottola

August 4, 2020

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 4, 2020

Miss you Brother. I’ll never forget

Sergeant Zach Adams
Herriman City Police Department

August 4, 2020

National Peace Officers Memorial Day, 18 years after you were honored. It's been one of those days where I've had a lot of thoughts and memories of you go through my mind.

I miss you my friend, no amount of time can completely erase the sting of your loss, on a department, and especially on a personal level.

You are not forgotten my friend, nor will you ever be!

LT Kenny Rose
Lehi City Police Department (Utah)

May 15, 2020

This is a hard one. I was there. We got a radio call that an officer had been shot. We also heard that the suspect had driven North. Not long after that, we found the suspect with a gunshot wound that had crashed into a gas station in Draper. Chaos. I didn't understand what was happening. Shortly thereafter, we were told that a Lehi PD officer had been shot. I looked up and saw the helicopter taking him to LDS hospital. I was then told to head to LDS Hospital to secure the scene as the lead detective. I drove as fast as I could (recklessly) and arrived at the hospital. I ran in and saw Joe lying on a table, blood, cutting his uniform. I stayed with him. The medical personnel did everything they could, working furiously! I demanded that they take the suspect to another part of the hospital. It was overwhelming.
I stared at Joe. Praying praying praying. He was gone. The medical staff was devastated. So was I -
A few minutes later, a nurse pulled off his wedding ring from his hand and handed it to me. She was crying asked me to take care of it. I was a mess. I walked into the waiting room and handed the ring to his wife. Still haunts me to this day. I will never get over it.

I have reflected on this experience ten-thousand times since it happened. Rough, but I guess that is what we signed up for brothers and sisters. I see your love Kenny. Bless you! Bless Joe Adams. Didn't know him, but we are intertwined forever. Hurts.

anonymous
UPD-SLCO SO

September 2, 2019

Years have slipped by but the memories linger. I miss you my friend. The legacy of the man that you were, and still are, lives on in your son. He reminds me so much of you on the inside and out. Now he has chosen to serve the people of Mexico for two years, he will do well; he will bless the lives of so many but will be blessed much more by his service than he knows. I am sure you're very proud of who he is and the way he has been raised.

I will be honest Joe, I have never been able to understand how your family forgave so quickly after this happened. I have held on to the hatred that was born that night for the individual that was responsible for turning so many lives upside down.

When your dad forgave him in court the day he was sentenced I was pretty shocked that they were able to do that. Here I was, much less impacted than your family was, but harboring so much hatred and I watched as your father publicly forgave him; that was pretty amazing.

Since that day time has taken it's toll on my hatred; I think I finally see what your awesome family saw all those years ago. Those hard and sharp edges of hate have been rounded and dulled. It's not my judgment that carries any weight, in this life or the next. The only weight it carries is the added burden on my own back.

You lived a good life my friend, you have much to be proud of. Your legacy lives on in a great young man and those closest to you will NEVER FORGET!

Miss and love ya brother!

LT Kenny Rose
Lehi City Police Department (Utah)

August 24, 2019

This day is full of so many feelings and memories. I wondered 18 years ago how I could possibly go on and how our family could ever be the same. I soon realized our family as we knew it would never be the same. Losing this son changed life as we had known it. Many changes have occurred over the years. One thing will never change, and that is the impact Joe has had in my life. I will be forever grateful that I am his mother. He blessed my life and continues to do so. We are blessed to have his son, our grandson, Cade, who reminds us of his Dad and is such a blessing and a gift to us. I miss Joe every single day. I move forward with gratitude because I know I will be with him again someday. He is never forgotten. He is forever loved.

Rosemary Adams
Joe’s mother

August 4, 2019

My heart and thoughts reflect so often on the life of this dear son we lost years ago. We’ve been blessed so much to be able to watch his own son grow and become such a good young man. I’m sure Joe is so proud of his son, Cade, and rejoices at the fine young man he is. We will always feel grateful for the things we have learned and experienced over the years. Even in much sorrow and loss, we feel so grateful to have had Joe as our son. The memories we have of him are so precious to us.

Rosemary Adams
Joe’s mother

April 30, 2019

Cade your dad would be proud of your service.

Sergeant Wayne Smith
Weber County Sheriff's Office (retired)

April 17, 2019

Hey dad just been thinking about you a ton lately, I submitted my mission papers on Sunday and even when your not here you played a huge role in getting me ready to serve. I love you and miss you.

Cade Adams
Son

March 30, 2019

Rest in peace Officer Adams.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 25, 2019