Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

WHAT IS A COP?

Cops are human ( believe it or not) just like the rest of us. They come in both sexes but mostly male. They also come in various sizes. This sometimes depends on whether you are looking for one or trying to hide something. However, they are mostly big.

Cops are found everywhere-on land, on the sea, in the air, on horses, in cars, sometimes in your hair. In spite of the fact that " you can't find one when you want one", they are usually there when it counts most. The best way to get one is to pick up the phone.

Cops deliver lectures, babies, and bad news. They are required to have the wisdom of solomon, the disposition of a lamb and muscles of steel and are often accused of having a heart to match. He's the one who rings the door-bell, swallows hard and announces the passing of a loved one; then spends the rest of the day wondering why he ever took such a "crummy" job.

On TV, a cop is an oaf who couldn't find a bull fiddle in a telephone booth. In real life he's expected to find a little blond boy " about so high" in a crowd of a half million people. In fiction, he gets help from private eyes, reporters, and who-dun-it fans." In real life, mostly all he gets from the public is " I didn't see nuttin'."

When he serves a summons, he's a monster. If he lets you go, he's a doll. To little kids, he's either a friend or a bogeyman, depending on how the parents feel about it. He works " around the clock", split shifts, Sundays and holidays, and it always kills him when a joker says. " Hey tomorrow is Election Day, I'm off, let's go fishing" ( that's the day he works 20 hours).

A cop is like the little girl, who, when she was good, was very, very good, but, when she was bad, was horrid. When a cop is good, " he's getting paid for it." When he makes a mistake, " he's a grafter, and that goes for the rest of them too." When he shoots a stick-up man he's a hero, except when the stick-up man is " only a kid, anybody coulda seen that."

Lots of them have homes, some of them covered with ivy, but most of them covered with mortgages. If he drives a big car, he's a chiseler; a little car, "who's he kidding?" His credit is good; this is very helpful, because his salary isn't. Cops raise lots of kids; most of them belong to other people.

A cop sees more misery, bloodshed, trouble, and sunrises than the average person. Like the postman, cops must also be out in all kinds of weather. His uniform changes with the climate, but his outlook on life remains about the same: mostly a blank, but hoping for a better world.

Cops like days off, vacations, and coffee. They don't like auto horns, family fights, and anonymous letter writers. They have unions, but they can't strike. They must be impartial, courteous, and always remember the slogan " At your service." This is sometimes hard, especially when a character reminds him, " I'm a taxpayer, I pay your salary."

Cops get medals for saving lives, stopping runaway horses, and shooting it out with the bandits ( once in a while his widow gets the medal). But sometimes, the most rewarding moment comes when, after some small kindness to an older person, he feels the warm hand clasp, looks into grateful eyes and hears, " Thank you and God bless you, son."

Officer Dave Carroll
Choctaw, Oklahoma

August 19, 2005

A senseless tragedy and a family without a father, son, brother and friend. You are in my prayers. Pray for us all.

Thankful Missouri Citizen

August 18, 2005

Jay and I were good friends and members of the Sikeston High School graduating class of 1987. Even during his high school years, he had a love and dedication to the values of law enforcement, spending countless hours working as a cadet at our local police department. I know that he was a tremendous asset to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. My prayers are with his wife, children and parents. Thank you, Jay, for your commitment and willingness to serve the citizens of Missouri.

Mark Savage

August 18, 2005

Jay, you left this world a little better than you found it. It was truly an honor and priviledge to know and work with you. You are missed.

Sgt. D. L. Thompson
Missouri State Highway Patrol

August 18, 2005

My sympathy goes to the family and friends of Corporal "Jay" Sampietro,Jr.
I'm a retired E.R. Nurse and Nursing Supervisor and worked many years with Lawenforcement Officers from several agencies. I respected and admired them. My prayers and sympathy are with all of you. Sincerely,
C.K. Morris, RN

C.K.Morris Rn, BSN, CRN
REtired

August 18, 2005

I heard of your passing from a fellow bass fisherman and friend of yours, Cpl. Brad Haggett. Sounds like you both were lucky to call each other "friend"....Rest in peace my brother....

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.

Joyce Williams, President
Suffolk Police Officers' Association, Local 5022
Suffolk, Va 23434

Detective/Master Police Officer
Suffolk Police Department, Suffolk Virginia

August 18, 2005

Rest in peace brother. May God bless you and your family.

Patrolman

August 18, 2005

Rest in Peace...

Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept,NY

August 18, 2005

God Speed warrior. To the sons and wife Your Husband and Daddy was an American Hero that did a job most are scared to do and most wouldn't want. Never let anyone tell you differant. My prayers are with you always.

State Trooper D Osborne / K-9 Coco
Tennessee Highway Patrol

August 18, 2005

Another horrible tragedy has struck the hearts of law enforcement. May god bless you and keep you. Enjoy your beat on heavens streets.

Former Officer

August 18, 2005

our prayers are with you all. we all are hurting with the loss of a brother officer

correction's officer r.s. moten
kinloch police

August 18, 2005

our prayers are with you all. we all are hurting with the loss of a brother officer

correction's officer r.s. moten
kinloch police

August 18, 2005

Rest easy Brother, your shift is over and we will take it from here. Until we meet on the Golden Highway...

Corporal Gregory A. Cohn
Florida Highway Patrol - St. Augustine

August 18, 2005

My prayer is for your family and friends during this difficult time. I know that there are millions of people very proud of your service Corp Sampietro. May God grant your family strength and give them a peace knowing that you are with the Lord Jesus Christ. Your work here on earth was honorable and we will do our best to serve as you have served your community. Thank you again for helping keep our country safe. God Bless.

Patrplman Douglas
Washington Police Department

August 18, 2005

From all the men and women of the Maryland Heights Police Department. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Trooper Sampietro's family. We have lost to many officers/troopers this year. Rest in peace Trooper Sampietro.

Maryland Heights Police Department

August 18, 2005

CORPORAL SAMPIETRO, THANK YOU FOR THE MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS AND COMMUNITY. GOD, HAS BROUGHT YOU HOME NOW TO WATCH OVER ALL OF US WHO ARE STILL ON THE HIGHWAYS,WEARING THE BADGE OF HONOR AND COMMITMENT THAT YOU SO FAITHFULLY DID. I KNOW YOU WILL BE TRULEY MISSED BY ALL IN YOUR COMMUNITY. MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAIMLY AND FELLOW TROOPERS.

ANTHONY DOBOSIEWICZ
FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL

August 18, 2005

To the family of Officer Jay Sampietro:

Our whole family is so sorry for your loss of a fine father, husband, son and I'm sure much more. On Monday, I was just a short way back from the original accident as I returned from St. Louis and my heart was sad. That was more than doubled when I read of this sad event that followed.
I travel for a living, mostly over the road and you become attached to those who protect and respect our highways and our safety. We are thankful for his years of service and his willingness to do a rough job.
May God Bless your family with peace and the future days when the sun will shine once again. I know that you will never forget him, but my hope is; that days will come when you can remember him with a smile instead of a memory of the accident. I have faith that you will see him again in a better place.

Paul Stringer & Family,
Regional Manager
The Coleman Company
Nixa, Missouri

Paul Stringer
none

August 18, 2005

Many officers have passed this way and it's hard to understand why. Words are so useless in these times of grief but thats all we have. May Gods speed be to you Jay, and may he give your family and friends strength to deal with this tragedy. "God Bless Your family and friends"
Ron Yoder

Ron Yoder Owner/President
Southwest Missouri Forensics

August 18, 2005

Deepest sympathy to the family and friends of this fallen officer.

Officer Dale Stephens
California Highway Patrol MAIT (Retired)

August 18, 2005

May GOD bless your family and friends at this terrible time. Thank you for serving and protecting. Rest in peace, Sir.

Shirley Roberts
Aunt of Fallen Officer John Logan EOW-3-14-04

August 18, 2005

Rest in peace fellow trooper...Let us do the work now. God bless you and your family.

Master Trooper J.R. Fleming
NC State Highway Patrol

August 18, 2005

rest in peace...

skip roberson

August 18, 2005

While I never had the privilege of meeting Cpl Sampietro personally, I did remember reading a note that he left for fallen Columbia MO police officer Molly Bowden back in Feb 2005. Here is what he wrote:

'I tell my family on a regular basis that we must all die one day. Should I pass before I'm ninety in my sleep, I can only hope my death is in the service of my community. As much as we will all miss are fallen heros, I can think of no more honorable way to die than in defending the safety and freedom of those we have chosen to serve. All who wear a badge readily accepted the possibility of death in the line of duty. Our families and friends did not necessarly agree to bear the burden of our loss, yet they do.'
Corporal J. A. Sampietro
Missouri State Highway Patrol
(quoted from http://www.odmp.us/reflections.php?oid=17565


Jay, indeed you were called home in service to your community and you truly always were and will be a hero. The local MSHP zone office is right down the hall from my desk here at the Sheriff's office and I sadly know that your name will be added to the list of fallen troopers. Rest in piece brother.

Deputy
Audrain County Sheriff's Dept

August 18, 2005

On behalf of the members of the Sutherlin Police Department, I send to you, our heartfelt condolences and prayers in your time of sadness. May your fallen officer’s legacy live on in the memories of his friends and family. Rest now brother, after a job well done. We’ll take it from here.

Corporal Justin Marquis
Sutherlin Police Department, Sutherlin, OR

August 18, 2005

John Sampietro, father of Jay, has been employed here as a supervisor for a number of years. We, here at our Sikeston Distribution Center, are deeply saddened by this tragedy, and we are especially concerned about our fellow employee and his wife, John and Gerri Sampietro, who have been left behind to grieve this fine young man.

Words cannot bring Jay back to you, but please know that our hearts are heavy as we mourn your tremendous loss. Our arms surround you spiritually as you remember your son and how proud you have always been of him.

We ask that God be with you and your family through this terrible time of loss. We also ask for God to cradle your son in His loving arms forever!

God bless you!

Pete Goodman--Manager
Brown Shoe Sikeston DC

August 18, 2005