Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Jay, you are a true hero. Seeing you in action as a police officer, husband, dad and coach has taught me more than any words could have. I will miss our weekly dinner breaks, but during those times I will now sit and reflect upon the examples you left as a dad and officer. Thanks for introducing me to Ol Dollar(what a car) Sorry we didn't get that camping trip in with our boys. You know we all have a dream of growing up and changing our world in a significant way, your dream came true. To Jennifer,Matt and Wil: Jay lived and breathed you. Not a conversation would come up without a story about you guys. He truely did love his family and profession. Our prayers are with you Sampietro family. Rest in peace my brother.

Officer Bruce Washburn
Rogersville Police Department

August 21, 2005

My husband knew Jay when he was a police officer in Rogersville, where Jay has lived the past two years. They even played softball together during the 4th of July celebration.

As I watched the news stories at my office (MO US Senator Kit Bond) on Thursday morning, I almost lost it a couple of times. It was very difficult to hear the story repeated on four different TV stations without getting emotional.

Even though I didn't know Jay or Jennifer, his death touched me. My prayers are with Jennifer and the boys.

Carolyn Caplinger
Wife of Christian County, MO Deputy Sheriff

August 21, 2005

God Bless You, Sir.

Trooper Ronnie Rapert
Texas Highway Patrol

August 21, 2005

I had the honor of knowing Jay not only as a Trooper but as a friend. Jay always had a smile on his face when he came into the comm center at Webster Co and he always left a smile on someones face. He was also the Trooper that worked an accident my own daughter was in. I remember him calling me and advising me of the accident, then saying you can not leave yet to go to the hospital, you need to talk to me for 5 minutes. He calmed me down and then said okay you can go now. He was always thinking about other people and their safety. He will be truly missed. To the family remember we are here for you. May God Bless You All and watch over you as you go through this horrible time.

S SMITH SUPERVISOR COMM CTR
WEBSTER COUNTY 911

August 21, 2005

Cpl. Sampietro gave his live trying to find out why others lost theirs. As a fellow officer who works on the same stretch of Interstate 44 I know the dangers that lie on the roadways. But like Cpl. Sampietro and every other officer we put the badge and gun everday to do the job that we took a oath to do, "SERVE AND PROTECT". Cpl. Sampietro will NEVER be forgotten as a true HERO. May you rest in peace, brother.

PO Steve Martin
Strafford Police Department

August 21, 2005

I only met Jay a few times around 95 and 96 during my short time with Sikeston DPS. Jay was respected as one of those officers you could count on and represented his deptartment with great pride. We hit it off when he would work part-time with the Sikeston Fire Division. He carried himself with great skill as a fireman as well.

The news of Jays passing has deeply sadden me that such a great man has been taken from his family and friends.

To the Sampietro family God Bless and stay strong. I am truly sorry for his loss and wish you well.

JAY YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED AS ONE OF THE BEST AT BOTH OF THE JOBS YOU LOVED. WE WILL BE THERE FOR YOU AT YOU ROLL CALL IN MAY 06 IN WASHINGTON D.C. BROTHER.

Officer Robert Hay 1380
#rd District D.C.Police

August 21, 2005

Rest In Peace Brother

Officer Eric Newbury
California Highway Patrol

August 21, 2005

Sadly, I can only say that I knew Jay and his wife Jennifer for a couple of years. But I can say without a doubt that Jay loved is family, friends and his job more then anything. My deepest sympathy goes out to Jennifer and family and all those who worked with him like I did. I pray that I never again have to hear a last call. It has been a great pleaser to say that I knew cpl. Jay Sampietro

Rest in peace my brother, for you are a hero to us all.

Richard Neal
Rogersville Police Department

August 21, 2005

I have many fond memories of growing up with my cousin, Jay Sampietro. The one thing that stands out in my mind is that Jay always wanted to play the game called Life. He always enjoyed this game! It makes perfect sense that he liked this game, because Jay always loved life. He was a kind person who was always dedicated to things in his life that were important to him (work, family, and friends.) Jay will be sorely missed by all that knew him. God be with you!

Lauren Sampietro Gossett (1st Cousin)

August 21, 2005

OI just wanted the Sampietro family to know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May GOD bless Corporal Sampietro for the ultimate sacrifice he has made to keep our highways safe. Corporal Sampietro is now patrolling the "highways" in heaven, with our Lord and Savior. John and Will, your Father was a true hero. He will be missed, but NEVER forgotten. Officer Mike Cooper

Police Officer Mike Cooper
Aurora, Mo. Police Department

August 21, 2005

For those of us who have been fortunate enough to spend time with Jay at work or play, nothing needs explained. For those who have not, I say that humanity lost an icon for what I believe to be the epitome of a Trooper. Compassion, love of his career, and enthusiasm might suffice for a very brief summary of Jay's professional attributes. Compassion, love of his family, and enthusiasm could also briefly describe his family life.
Some of us will have to pick up where Jay left off, at least as best we can.
The family will miss him, the Patrol will miss him, and I can speak with the knowledge that the citizenry who knew Jay will miss him.

Sean

August 20, 2005

Jay was no ordinary guy. He was an extra-ordinary guy. He paid with his life doing a job he loved. He was a proud husband and father. He never met a stranger, and he never hesitated to help anyone.
Jay helped train recruits in Stop and Approach for many years. He will be missed.
I feel blessed that I got to know Jay the short time he was on this earth.
I can only speak the truth about Jay, he was no ordinary person. May God bless you Jay, your family, and your friends.
You will not be forgotten, and will be missed.

Trooper Amanda Newbrough
Missouri State Highway Patrol

August 20, 2005

My life has been truly blessed by knowing Jay. I met him over 7 years ago when my brother, a fellow MSHP, was in the hospital following a serious motorcyle accident. Jay had a wonderful, caring spirit about him that you would never forget. I am so sad that this tragedy happened and I will be praying for his wife and two boys for many days to come.

Michelle Waters

August 20, 2005

My brother Jay, I will miss you! I can't begin to say how much. What a special person you were. You left an impression on everyone who knew you. All the time we spent together. On the current river in my boat,in the air in the plane or 77MP,in the patrol car chasing DWI's or us doing country music on the radio.There will be a time when i will get the pleasure to shake your hand again in heaven.As for your family,don't worry about them,we will watch over them and make sure they are fine.Rest in peace 584.Thanks for being my friend.

Craig Meador

August 20, 2005

As a spouse of a police officer, my heart is filled with sorrow for Mr. Sampietro's wife and children. No one knows better than a spouse the daily grinds that an officer endures. The world is better because of the safety and security that officers provide to society. Mrs. Sampietro, I can not imagine your pain, but I have shed many tears for you and your family. With deepest sympathy...

Heather Parker
Springfield MO Police Officer Spouse

August 20, 2005

I wanted to take an opportunity to briefly comment about the loss of Corporal Sampietro. I can't begin to imagine the grief that his family must feel. I can't imagine what his partners feel. My deepest and most heartfelt sympathies go out to his family, friends, and coworkers. Regardless of the color of our uniforms, or the shape of our badges we all serve the same capacity...we are public servants. We are charged with keeping the peace when neighbors cannot agree, we find lost children, we take dangerous people off the streets so kids can play in relative safety, and we put our shields and armor on to go out and face the darkest parts of humanity so the public will be safe. I believe that Corporal Sampeitro was doing just that and was taken from us. He paid the ultimate price, his family will keep paying that price for years to come. I know I will remember the last call for a long, long time, "...Springfield-584, 10-42 at 1715, KAA243." Stay safe, out there.

Sergeant Randy Foster
Marionville Police Department

August 20, 2005

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Corporal John A. (Jay) Sampietro Jr. and the Missouri State Highway Patrol...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Jay... rest in peace as you continue your watch from the heavens......your memory will never be forgotten...

God Bless....Be Safe..... and wear your vests...

Vin, Pook and all of us at beyond-the-blue

Vinman & Pooky - Site Owners
beyond-the-blue

August 20, 2005

Rest in peace sir. God bless your family. Thank you for your service.

Shannon
Collins Fire Dept.

August 20, 2005

I met Jay back in the late 1980's and at the time he was with the Sikeston DPS. I remember him talking about how his lifelong dream was to become a Highway Patrolman and how he loved to fly. Jay always had a smile on his face and he was a gentleman through and through. He always went the extra mile to help others and was so dedicated to the job he loved.

He paid the ultimate sacrifice and for that, I say Thank You.

To your wife, children, family and friends...my thoughts and prayers are with you and will continue to be.

Jay has touched many, many lives and he will not be forgotten.

God Bless You All.

Sincerely,

Joeli (Turner) Barbour
Dexter, MO

Joeli (Turner) Barbour

August 20, 2005

I'm the wife of Trooper Todd Larkins, I left a reflection earlier to your wife from my step-daughter and I and forgot to sign it.

Alicia and Carina Larkins
Wife and Daughter of
Trooper Todd M. Larkins E.O.W. 07-08-05

Alicia Larkins

August 20, 2005

My heart and prayers go out to the Family, friends and brotherhood of officers of Corporal John A. Sampietro Jr. I just lost my husband in a similar manner and sympathize with the pain his wife is feeling and am trying to help my step-daughter to deal with this also. Mrs. Sampietro Jr. I can not and will not pretend to know how you are feeling because we all grieve in our own ways, but I do understand and am going through it myself. If you would ever want to talk, T.H.P. knows how to get a hold of me and I would be honored to talk with you. I didn't know your husband, but he is in heaven with my husband now and they are patroling the golden highways together I'm sure for they are brothers in God and law enfocement. If we don't speak before, maybe I will get the honor of meeting you in Washington in May. God bless and comfort your family as you deal with this emptiness. The one thing that my step-daughter and I believe is that Satan may have won this battle of the flesh and taken my husband and her father from us in the flesh, but through God's promise we will be with him again. The war of eternity will be won by God.

Alicia Larkins

August 20, 2005

Rest in peace brother, you will not be forgotten.

Officer Shaun McCready
Greenfield Township (PA) Police Department

August 20, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Trooper Sampietro, his family, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Rest in Peace.

PTL. Wilford
BELTON MO PD

August 20, 2005

Courage is the thing. All goes if courage goes.

Be at Peace Brother.

Heartfelt sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Corporal Sampietro.

Ofc. Scott Bachman
Baltimore County (MD) PD

August 20, 2005

Rest, brother.

Cpl Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

August 20, 2005