Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

One year has passed since you were taken away. In some respects it has went by so quickly with the many changes our department has gone through. The changes are good, a lot of them are the ones that we had talked about during graveyards and had hoped might some day come. I can't help but think maybe you had something to do with them happening, maybe giving a little nudge from above to.
In other ways it has gone by so slowly. There isn't a day that goes by that I do not pause in whatever I am doing and think about the past and how much fun it was. I always end up fighting back the tears.
I hope that I have done and am doing all that I can to honor you and your memory.
Like others have said in reflections before mine, we met at the scene the other night and laid some flowers for you. Your presence was there, it always is, but it was ecspecially strong that night as Dispatch broadcast for a minute of silence in honor of you. That minute passed by so quickly, it seemed like just a few seconds.
You have had such a profound influence, not only on me and the rest of Lehi PD, but on so many officers from many other PD's as well as the citizens in the entire county.
Your memorial is nearing completion and it brings tears to my eyes to see it all. It is truly beautiful, your brother has done such a good job.
You have been honored by so many people in so many ways but I can't help but think that it isn't enough, it never will be. You will always deserve more than any of us can ever give.
I miss you very much, I break down often thinking about the past and what could have been.
I hope someday when I leave this job I will have done it justice, not only for myself and the citizens of Lehi, but for you also. You set a standard in your life that the rest of us will take a full career and then some to match.
I love and miss you Joe, don't be afraid to stop in every once in a while. We'll save you a spot at Chevron when it's drink time.

Kenny Rose
Lehi PD

IT HAS BEEN A YEAR NOW JOE, THAT IS HARD TO BELIEVE. WE ALL GOT TOGETHER THE OTHER NIGHT TO TAKE A MINUTE AND REMEMBER THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE THAT YOU GAVE, IT WAS AWESOME JOE. I COULD FEEL YOUR PRESENCE THAT NIGHT AS WE ALL STOOD IN A CIRCLE, HOLDING HANDS AND SAYING A PRAYER. I KNOW THERE ISN'T A MINUTE THAT GOES BUY WHERE YOU ARE NOT CLOSE TO ME. I AM SURE YOU ARE VERY BUSY WHERE YOU ARE AT NOW, BUT THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO WATCH OVER US ALL. I MISS YOU SO MUCH JOE! YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A GREAT EXAMPLE TO ME AS A PERSON AND A PROFESSIONAL. I LOVE YOU BROTHER.

ZACH ADAMS
BROTHER

JOE

THESE PAST FEW DAYS WERE SPENT REMEMBERING YOU AND HONORING YOU. I THINK ABOUT YOU ALL THE TIME. I MISS YOU AS DOES THE WHOLE DEPARTMENT. YOU REALLY INFLUENCED EACH ONE OF US IN A MAJOR WAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXAMPLE, THE EXPERIENCES I HAD WITH YOU ARE DEAR TO MY HEART. YOUR ALWAYS WITH ME IN MY THOUGHTS YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. LOVE YA MAN.

ELSWOOD
LEHI

Joe in a few days it will be one year since you were taken from us.I think about you on a daily basis and all the tme when I am at work. There are so many times when dealing with something at work and remember some sort of advise or traing that I received from you. I feel you riding with me finishing what you started with me and I thank you for that. Once agian I want to tell you that I am proud to have known and worked with you. You will never be forgotten.

Untill we meet agian
Damon

Damon Faught
Lehi Police

Been thinking of you alot. When I have a tough desicion to make at work or in my personal life. I ask myself what you might do if you were in the situation that im in. Its always turned out good. Thanks Joe, I miss you, Im very blessed to have known and worked with you..

Detective Sean Ferrell
Lehi PD

I MISS YOU SO MUCH JOE, SOMETIMES IT SO HARD FOR ME TO ACCEPT THAT YOU AREN'T HERE. I AM FREQUENTLY IN CONTACT WITH THE OFFICERS THAT SERVED BY YOUR SIDE AND IT IS GREAT TO SHARE SO MANY GREAT STORIES AND MEMORIES ABOUT YOU. THEY ARE A GREAT EXAMPLE TO ME JUST LIKE YOU ARE JOE. I AM SO EXCITED TO START THE ACADEMY, IT'S GETTING CLOSER EVERYDAY. I KNOW YOU ARE LOOKING OUT FOR ME JOE. I WISH SO BAD THAT YOU WERE HERE TO GIVE ME ADVICE ALONG THE WAY, BUT YOUR EXAMPLE WILL TRULY HELP ME TO BE THE BEST OFFICER THAT I CAN BE. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING JOE! I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH.

ZACH ADAMS
BROTHER

joe

I miss you. I think about you all the time, everyday as I put my bracelet on and get ready for work I pray you will watch over us and keep us safe. Seth is building a monument in your memory, it is going to be awesome. I looked forward to riding with you when I was reserving, I learned so much from you. I really respect you. There is so much I want to say but I just don't know how to put it into words, I love and miss you.

jeremy elswood
lehi police

Today in the sun, I bid him farewell
A man, a hero, I never knew well

Like many before him, who answered the call
Wearing a badge, he was destined to fall

Though by choice a long life and a happy old age
Would he have chosen, had he written the page

But the office he chose never promised long life
Just half of his salary, for his child and his wife

He went without fear, into the darkness of night
Bringing comfort to some, to some others light

Easing their pain and calming their fears
He did his duty, never asking for cheers

A husband, a cop, he answered the call
We bid him farewell for he gave his all

Joe,

It has been said that time will heal wounds, but it has not for me. I miss you, and I think about you all of the time. I know you are doing a great work where you are now. When people find out im a Lehi Officer almost all of them ask about you and your Family. The people you served have gratitude and respect for you. You honored your family and profession, in life and in death. You had a great work ethic and you are an example to me. I will not forget you!

Officer Sean Ferrell
Lehi

Joe,
I cannot tell you how awesome and humbling it was for me to go back to D.C. to honor you and to escort your family during the memorial service. The Monument is such a honored and solemn place. I feel that your name is at home amongst the thousands of other heroes that have made the ultimate sacrifice. It was so hard to see your name there, everything is still unreal to me, I guess it always will be. I miss you my friend. I know that someday we will be able to talk and laugh again, and that is a day that I look forward to very much.

Kenny Rose
Lehi Police

JOE


Hey buddy I miss you, things are moving along, we talk often about you and all the things we did together. everyone misses you alot. I know you watch over each of us while on shift, I love you buddy and think of you often.

elswood
lehi police

Joe it seems like it was yesterday when were taking a break in the patrol room and having some laughs. It has always been hard for me to express myself in rough situations. I just barely feel like I can talk about what happened now. I do have to say the hardest shift I have ever had to check on for was the one day after. Thank goodness I was immediately sent home, because I could not think to work. Your legacy will always live on, I love talk about the good times we had, and I will always remeber the professionalism you taught me. Your legacy will always be here with us in this great department. I thank you and your family for what they mean to each of here in Lehi and for what they have done. Love and miss you

Bart Smith

bart smith
lehi

To the family and friends of Officer Joe Adams. The News about Officer Adams hit everybody pretty hard. I remember Officer Adams coming in when working grave yards either buying food, or picking up groceries. I will truely miss Officer Adams and my thoughts and prayers goes out to the family and to the other officers.
S. Beck
Lehi Albertsons

S. Beck
Lehi Albertsons

I never had the chance to meet joe, but from what I have been told from some of joe's fellow officers, I did indeed miss out on meeting a one in a million guy. I have talked to an officer that spent time with joe, and with the young man that ended not only joe's life but his own life with just a moment of not thinking, and it is hard to see a man that I still think is the toughest man ever to walk the earth, break down into tears. The hardest thing about these tears is that they are not only for a fallen hero, but for a young man that made a mistake. My heart goes out to all the families,Joe's, welch's, and the fellow officers.

Anonymous

To the family and fellow officers that knew Officer Joe Adams. Joe was an awesome guy, where I work Joe would stop by and buy his dinner when he worked grave yards, or buy grocery's for his family, and he was a great person to talk to. Joe will be missed but will never be forgotten.

S. Beck

hey joe, i sure do miss you, you had the greatest impact on me. i think of you all the time, its hard to accept what happened but i think of all the people you're helping now and i know. you were called home for reasons i dont understand. i know we will see each other again and i cant wait for that day, i do the best i can in this job to honor your memory and work ethics, you taught me everything i know. i love you my friend.

jeremy elswood
lehi police

IT HAS BEEN A HARD LAST WEEK JOE. I SWEAR THERE IS NOT A MINUTE THAT GOES BY THAT I DON'T THINK ABOUT YOU. WHAT A GREAT EXAMPLE YOU HAVE BEEN TO ME, I WISH THAT YOU COULD BE HERE TO GUIDE AND TRAIN ME AS I START A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. I MISS YOU VERY MUCH. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN WE WILL MEET AGAIN. I LOVE YOU BROTHER

ZACH ADAMS
BROTHER

Joe, it's been a while since you left this world. But no matter how long it will be, no one can or will ever forget you and the legacy you left behind. The man that took your life has his coming. Rest in peace!

Joe,
I, like others in the Police Department, miss and think of you all the time. Your name always comes up all the time in conversation, you are truly loved and missed my friend. I think that everyone is doing okay. Although some days the smallest memory drives a pain deep into my heart and shows me how much I still hurt, I am doing good also. You must be so proud of your family and how they have been doing. I just wanted you to know how proud I am to have known you and worked with you. Someday I will see you again my friend, until then watch over us all as we continue the struggle.

Kenny Rose
Lehi PD

As I stood by the roadside
The procession rode by
I saw many brave men
With a tear in their eye.

As I looked to the west
The line streached out of sight.
Each car carried people
Who stand for what's right.

To honor a man
With a star by his name,
For him, much to early
The grim reaper came

Now the town will remember
The man we have lost.
To protect all of us
He paid the ultimate cost.

Gunned down by a felon
Released on parole
But his memory lives on
In our heart and our soul.

He stood for what's right
And all that is good.
This world would be better
If everyone would.

So let's give our support
Tho the ones who fight crime.
Especially now!
In this most trying time.

Remember the family
Of the man who is gone
For them in this world
Life must go on.

And to you, Cecil Gurr
You're respected and loved
Not only by us
But by God up above.

For as He looked upon us
In our grief and our pain
God shed his own tears
In a torrent of rain.

--Arvin Haslem

Anonymous

I'M THINKING OF YOU, BROTHER.
I LOVE YOU.

SETH ADAMS
BROTHER

Joe,

I think about you all of the time and I miss you. If I knew that was our last shift together I would have told you how much I respect, and look up to you. I went home that night and hugged my daughter and felt guilty because you did not have that same chance to go home after your shift and hug your wife and son. Im a better person because of you. Thank You! We talk about you all the time. We remember the times we had with you. Your Brother has been coming out with us all the time and it has been so good to have him around with us. I will forever be in your debt. Thank You Joe.

Sean Ferrell
Lehi Police

My blue porch light is still burning strong and will not stop! Thanks Joe !!!

Anonymous

DEAR JOE:
It's been six months. I think about you all the time. You were my field training officer, my teacher, my friend and my brother. I remember the night when you asked me what kind of officer I wanted to be. In my mind I was thinking i wanted to be the best, I was afraid to say that because as I looked at you I knew I was with the best. I loved working with you and being with you. I knew when I worked with you I was safe, I knew no matter what call or detail or stop I was on you would always be there. We had some fun times. I replay that night over and over in my mind, I'm sorry. I know where your at now and I know thats where you need to be. You made the greatest impact on my life. Everything I am and everything I will be as an Officer I owe to you, for your shining example, your selfless service, your compassion for others. I will serve my career with honor as you did. You will always be in my thoughts and in my heart. I will see you again. Thanks my friend, I miss you so much.

Jeremy Elswood
lehi police department

WELL JOE, IT HAS BEEN AWHILE SINCE YOU WERE TAKEN FROM US AND I AM SORRY IT HAS TAKEN THIS LONG FOR ME TO LEAVE MY THOUGHTS. I WISH WE COULD HAVE HAD SOME MORE TIME WITH EACH OTHER AND THE REALITY OF YOUR DEATH IS VERY HARD FOR ME. I READ WHAT OTHERS HAVE WROTE HERE ON THIS PAGE AND IT IS CLEAR THAT WE ALL AGREE ON THE GREAT PERSON AND FRIEND THAT YOU WERE. I HAVE DEVELOPED A CLOSE BOND WITH THE PEOPLE THAT SERVED BY YOUR SIDE IN LEHI AND IT HAS HELPED ME VERY MUCH SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN GONE. THEY ARE GREAT EXAMPLES TO ME. I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THE FOOTSTEPS YOU HAVE LEFT BEHIND I WILL FOLLOW THEM VERY CAREFULLY AND DO MY VERY BEST TO BE THE SAME KIND OF PERSON THAT YOU WERE. I ALSO WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I WILL DO MY BEST TO BE THERE FOR YOUR WIFE AND CADE. HE LOOKS JUST LIKE YOU JOE AND I LOVE HIM VERY MUCH. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY THAT WE WILL SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN, AND I KNOW THE WORK THAT YOU ARE DOING NOW IS VERY IMPORTANT. SO, THANKS AGAIN JOE FOR ALL THE GREAT MEMORIES AND THE GOOD EXAMPLE YOU ARE TO ME BUT MOST OF ALL THANKS FOR BEING MY BEST FRIEND.I LOVE AND MISS YOU.
I WILL SEE YOU WHEN I GET THERE...LOVE,ZACH

BROTHER, ZACH ADAMS