Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

THE LAST INSPECTION
the policeman stood and faced his God.
which must always come to pass.
he hoped his shoes were shining,
just as brightly as his brass

"step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
to my church, have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"no,lord I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry badges
cant always be a saint

I've had to work most sundays,
and at times my walk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
'cause the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
when the bills got too steep.
I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear,
and sometimes, god forgive me.
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place among the people here.
They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord
it needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
but if you don't... I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne,
where the saints had often trod,
as the policeman waited quietly for the
judgement of his God.

"step forward now, policeman,
youve borne your burdens well.
come walk a beat on heavens streets
youve done your time in HELL"

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

I can't say that I knew Joe all that well however I did meet him and know him long enough to know he was a great guy who really loved what he was doing I would like to personaly thank him his family and coworkers for the sacrifce they've made

American Fork, UT

Future Trooper Brent J. Shelby
Utah Highway Patrol

IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY TODAY JOE. YOU WOULD'VE BEEN 27. IT'S CADES BIRTHDAY TOO. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERY HOUR JOE. YOU WERE SO CLOSE TO ME. YOU TAUGHT ME SO MUCH. I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE THAT YOUR GONE. HOW SECONDS CAN CHANGE A LIFE. I KNOW YOU ARE THERE FOR ME. I KNOW THAT YOU WALK BESIDE ME. I KNOW THAT YOU PROTECT ME. I WILL FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT AS YOU DID. AND I WILL NEVER BE ALONE. I LOVE YOU BROTHER. I WILL SEE YOU IN HEAVEN.

SETH ADAMS
JOE'S LITTLE BROTHER

JOE,
I still miss you and think about you every shift I work. I keep thinking, maybe I'll see your smiling face each time I stop by the P.D..
You should have been there for SHOP WITH A COP this year, I know you had to be in spirit though. K-MART presented your family with some great awards, but we all would have rather seen you out there helping some needy child buy christmas for their family.
MERRY CHRISTMAS JOE, thanks for watching over us from where you are.
Deputy Jim Bingham
UTAH COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

DEPUTY JAMES BINGHAM
UTAH COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Merry Christmas Joe
The fun times that we had are always fresh in my mind. There is not a day that goes by that when I check on I don't wish to hear your voice on the radio asking if I needed a drink. Your friendship has impacted my life, and that of my family, far more than you will ever know. Thank you my friend.

Kenny Rose
Lehi Police Department

My heart goes out to the family of officer Adams, he sacrificed his life to protect others, and may he rest in peace.

Anonymous

I dont think there has been an hour that has gone by that I dont think about you. I wish more than anything to have you back with us. I miss you Joe.

Sean Ferrell
Lehi Police

I miss you my friend.

K. Rose
Lehi Police Department

I knew Joe for over three years. I attened the academy with him, and he was of good character.
I feel Joe's presence with me as I work, he is there on every stop I make and every call I respond to. Joe and I would often work graveyard shifts togeather. He was always there when I needed backup, and he was always there to laugh with when the shift felt like it would never end.
Joe is greatly missed by all who knew him. He was an FTO (Field Training Officer) because he did things right, and you knew the officers he trained were trained the best. Joe was never one to back down when things got tough, he was the kind of person you could count on to be at your side, and I like many wish that I could have had that chance to be at his side when he needed me most.
Since Joe's death I have had the privilege of getting to know some of his family, and they are of the same good character.
Joe I will think of you often in my life, and I am a better person for knowing you.

Officer B. Ricks
Lehi PD

There is no other way that a man can die with more honor, respect, and pride then In the Line of Duty! Thank you Joe for your service to all of us and for making this a better world. I know your wife and young child are in good hands. May God be with your family and friends during their hardships. God Bless!

To my cousin Joe. I had the opportunity to see your little boy Cade last week. I felt myself slipping emotionally and I couldn't help but bite my lip when I looked in his face. He looks just like you. I have no doubt that as the years move on Cade will know everything about you. He will know of the dad he had the opportunity to be with for a short while, he will know of the good husband you were to his mom, he will know of the time you served for your heavenly father in Germany, he will know about the people you worked so diligently to protect in the line of duty. He will know of everything you stood for. The list goes on. He will be just like you. We miss you Joe. Our prayers are with your family. May God continue to keep his watchfull eye on your wife and son. Jeff Forsyth

Dear Joe,

We miss you very much. The past two months have not been easy for me not having you around. I miss the talks and visits that we were able to enjoy in the past. As I go past the spot of your last battle, I reflect each time and think about you and my heart is with you and your family. The standard that you set for other law enforcement officers is an example of your professsionalism. Joe, the expample you lived and worked by is a standard for all of us to follow. Your work was always first class, reports were always complete with all of the elements needed to pursue the case in court. Many times Joe, I told you were older than your age with your wisdom and common sense. Joe, you were a leader and all of the officer's looked up to you for guidance and advice. I promise you we will never forget you or your sacrafice that you made for us and the rest of the citizens of the United States.
Joe, I would like to thank you for everything you have done for me and for the Lehi Police Department. We miss you and will always love you and your family.

Sergeant Harold Terry
Lehi Police Department

Sgt. Harold Terry
Lehi Police Department

I miss you terribly, Joe. I was 14 months old when Mom and Dad brought you home;I am still struggling to understand just how it is all going to work without you. You mean the world to me...I wish so much I could talk to you and tell you just how much you mean to me. I learned so much through your example and through the examples of those whose lives you touched. I see so much of you in Cade...I wish that there weren't so many miles between Cade and Cyd and myself. Cydney is my sister, Joe, there is nothing that I wouldn't do for her or for your beautiful son...please know that. I am so grateful that we were blessed and lucky enough to grow up in a family that, in spite of many differences, had such a deep feeling of love and devotion. We are a forever family, Joe. Thank you for always supporting me even when you might not have understood me completely. There was an extreme emptyness in my heart when you were killed, but I find great comfort in filling that emptyness with the many memories I have of growing up with you. I will love you always, Joe Buck. I am so happy to know that your powerful spirit lives on with us....

Christian, Joe's oldest brother
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

All though I only knew you for a short time the impact you had on me was enormous. Even though I had so much more I wanted to learn from you, I know that what training I recieved was from one of the best. Iam am honored and privleged to have been able to call you a fellow officer and friend. If I live to be half the officer and man that you were, I will have done well. You will never be forgotten, till we meet again....................

Police Officer Damon Faught
Lehi

"Do not stand at my grave and weep,
"I am not there, I do not sleep.
"I am a thousand winds that blow;
"I am the diamond glints on snow.
"I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
"I am the gentle autumn's rain.
"When you awaken in the morning's hush,
"I am the swift uplifting rush
"Of quiet birds in circled flight.
"I am the soft star that shines at night.
"You will find me in the little things with life.
"I will be there for you my dear wife.
Author unknown

God bless this family, the friends and the law enforcement community during this very difficult time.

Janice Starnes wife of
Sgt. Dan R. Starnes
Morgan Co. Sheriff Dept. IN
Killed in the Line of Duty
July 10, 2001

janice
none

I feel it an honor to add some of my thoughts and feelings to the others which have been expressed.

Our lives have been altered dramatically with your death. We will somehow go on without you even though at this time I can't imagine how.

I have loved you dearly for over 26 years and have received so much joy watching you grow into the tender and loving husband and daddy that you were.

We will do our best to take care of Cydney and little Cade.
They are what we have left of you now, and we love them so much.

I want to share the poem that was written with reflections of you in mind....

He was our little Joey
With his freckled little nose,
He wouldn't keep his shoes on
His dirty little toes.

He played hard and happy
Fun and games galore,
Until he was so tired...
And then, just a little more.

Life was an adventure
On his way home from school,
He'd find something for his pocket
He thought was really cool!

He loved to ride his skateboard
But that was just before,
He discovered the fun of snowboards
Which he loved just a little bit more.

After high school was over,
He joined the National Guard.
He did well at basic training
Even though it was very hard.

He served a mission in Germany
The people were so poor.
He loved and cared and did his best,
Then he did a little more.

He was beloved of his brothers,
And he loved them, too.
United there was nothing
These five boys couldn't do.

They put in a sprinkler system,
They laid the new wood floor,
They did whatever they were asked,
And then a little bit more.

Joe married his dear Cydney,
The greatest love of his life.
They are sealed together forever,
As eternal husband and wife.

Soon, along came Cade,
Someone he'd do anything for-
And his heart was so full he just knew it
would burst,
But it grew-just a little bit more.

He served the police force
With honor and pride-
Not the bad kind for glory-
But the quiet kind inside.

And as they talk about Joe Adams,
We'll say, "We know for sure,
"He gave everything he had to give,
"And then, just a little bit more.

I am so thankful to have been blessed to have you for my son. I was so proud the day you were born...And I'm so proud of the life you lived and the legacy you leave behind.
....Until we are together again...I Love you, Joe!

Mom

Rosemary Adams------Joe's Mother

"Last Inspection"
The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The Policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges
can't always be a Saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
when the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
but if you don't...I'll understand
There was silence all around the throne
Where the Saints had often trod
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

Author unknown

Anonymous

WHAT CAN ANYONE SAY ABOUT THIS,I DID NOT KNOW JOE AS MANY DID. I HAD TALKED WITH HIM AND SEE HIM AT DIFFERANT POLICE FUNCTIONS.BUT I WAS THERE WHEN THE OFFICER DOWN CALL CAME OUT. WHAT A SAID DAY THAT WAS. JOE DID HIS JOB WITH HONOR AND HE WAS TRULY A HERO. JOE MAY THE ROADS RISE TO MEET YOU, MAY THE WINDS BE ALWAYS AT YOUR BACK, AND MAY GOD HOLD YOU IN THE PALMS OF HIS HANDS. GOD BLESS YOU, JOE WE SHALL NEVER FORGET YOU.

officer Dave Boerner
ALPINE/HIGHLAND POLICE DEPT

It has taken me more than two weeks to have the heart to finally post a reflection for Joe. As my older brother and best friend for the past 24 years, I struggle each day to try and accept your death and go on. I regret that I may never be able to fully recover from your murder.
Joe, following in your footsteps since we were little boys has never lead me down the wrong path. I treasure each adventure we've survived together and greatly miss being able to talk with you about the job and plan some more of those fishing trips we were never able to go on. I want more than anything to follow your lead now and become even half the officer you were. To know that your final act in this life was to bring your murderer to justice gives me courage to carry on. Following in your footsteps has allowed me to become brothers with all of our fellow officers, many of whom have tributed you here.
I wish so badly to embrace you and thank you for the wonderful insight you have also provided to me in my personal life. Not only were you my brother behind the badge, but you were my older brother and my eternal brother. There is great comfort in looking into your son's eyes and seeing how much you love him. Know that he and Cyd will never lack for anything. I love them and owe you too much to not look after them. We are trying to buy the house for sale just down from your's so we can live closer to them and so Cade will have cousins to play with when the twins come. We've always been there for each other, and I feel that you and I will always be close until we meet again.
The magnitude of your death is overwhelming each time I attempt to come to grips with it. I try to block it out all day, but my tears flow just as strong each night since the night of your death. Evil may have taken you from this earth, but I know the greatness of God is with you now and in Him we can move on. I promise that I will do everything I can to be worthy to live with you again.
Joe, I love you. I am so proud of you. I will not let you down. I know your in heaven looking down upon us all and that is all I need. God speed, my brother.

Officer Joshua T. Adams
Orem DPS

BLOOD UPON THE SHIELD

Confrontation in an alley. The Centurion does not yield.
But this time the good guy loses;
there is blood upon the shield.
And the mournful sounds of bagpipes
play out across the land,
drowned out by the sobs of a lonely young wife
and a child too young to understand.
While the killer pleads his case in court,
the thin blue line is one man short.
And we're one step closer to society's fall;
another cops's name is engraved on the wall.
Another state funeral, with an army in blue,
and we know it could've been me and it
could've been you.

We all look ahead to what the future has in store,
front line troopers in a country that's at war.
At war with itself and at war with its cops and we're out
there every day 'cause the battle never stops.
It's not the way it is on TV shows or like
we learned in school; no cool music in the background,
no playing by the "rules".

We're disillusioned warriors,
but for right we'll always strive.
We just pray that at the end of our stress-filled day
we'll get back home alive.
You stand out on the corner
ignoring the insults and the stares,
close to the point of believing that no one really cares,
when a six year-old boy walks over after watching
you for awhile, reaching out to shake your hand,
on his face a friendly smile. To him you are a hero,
a protector of our land, and he wants
to learn about you,
as a cop and a man.
And when he asks you why your badge is covered
by a black elastic band,
tell him about our Brother--
A cop who made a stand.

By: Randolph Liebec

Anonymous

Joe, I will miss the times you stopped by to visit me and my family. It meant alot knowing that you were always driving through the area checking on things. I know that you will continue to keep an eye on things from a much better place than here. You are a great example to my kids. They talk about you all the time and say there prayers for you and your family each night. I will always treasure the times that we rode together and the BS sessions on the AOL during our shifts. You are a true professional and I know how much you loved your job. You died doing what you loved and fought till the end. You are a GREAT EXAMPLE to us all! We will never forget you.

I think are department is very lucky to have your younger brother working for us. He is a fine example of the things you taught him about Police work and being a great person. God bless you and your family Joe. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I know that you will continue to be a strong presence in all of our lives and we look forward to seeing you again someday.

Friends always
Steve Swenson
Orem Police Dept.
Orem Utah

Det. Steve Swenson
Orem PD

Although I did not Know Officer Adams well, I do know that he was very well liked, and respected, which is a difficult feat for those that wear a badge in today's society. What a tragic loss for everyone, especially his wife, and young son, who will always have the question of "why?" in the back of their minds.
As I joined the funeral procession as it made it's way to the cemetery where Officer Adams was laid to rest, I was overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from citizens lining the sidewalks, many, with their hands, or hats over their hearts, in a final tribute to Officer Adams.
My heartfelt thanks to you Joe, for your ultimate sacrifice, and to the spouses of all of our uniformed officers, who watch each day, as their loved ones place the shield above their hearts, dedicating themselves to do their very best, to make the world a safer place for all.


Sgt. Korey Healey
Alpine/Highland Police Department
Alpine, Utah

Sgt. Korey Healey
Alpine/Highland Police Department Utah

Been thinking a lot about you Joe. We keep getting more and more stories about your actions with the public. We dealt with a great big guy last night that wouldn't let us near him because the only cop he ever trusted was you, and you weren't there. You were and are the man.

Kenny Rose
Lehi Police Department

Little can be added to the many sentiments expressed herein, may our Heavenly Father watch over this family until they are united again. May all our brothers and sisters in blue be safe each day forward.

Tim Barlow
Kaysville PD

Officer Tim Barlow
Kaysville Police Department

Another senseless killing...one which makes my heart heavy. A young life snuffed out by a senseless, violent act of a callous human being. To Joseph's surviving family members, my thoughts & prayers are with you. To the Lehi PD family, stay strong & keep your chin up. Joseph might be gone from the Earth, but he'll always live on in your hearts & actions. Keep the faith, brothers.... Keep the faith.
Stay safe, & watch over each other. Joseph is watching over all of us.

PSO A. M. Serr
Ventura Police Department, Calif.