Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Veronica, Alexis & Jesse James,

I attended the NMSP 71st recruit class with James back in 04. My first impression of him was of a small in stature man who enjoyed cracking a joke and talking about the Corps. When he later became a recruit sergeant, that is when I saw him for the leader he was and how motivating he was to me. I was amazed of how organized he was and how easily it was for him to lead, and not just to lead, but to lead by example. It was also impressive to see a 5'5" 130lbs. man out perform those who had muscle bulk with his physical strength. I always thought James would climb though the ranks with ease, and I just always hoped I would be fortunate enough to be under his command. During the academy, James always expressed his love for the Marine Corps. One day I asked him why he left the Corps if he loved it so much and he told me that as much as he loved the Corps, he loved his daughter Alexis more and wanted to be there for her. An admirable decision and action. And when he talked about Alexis, it was always with pride and with a smile on his face. James also took pride in his fiancee Veronica, stating how much she has helped him and how patient she was for putting up with a hellraiser like him.
I unfortunately did not keep in close contact with James after the academy except for one day when posting roadblocks for a funeral escort. That day I met Veronica and Jesse-James and saw the love he had for his son, and the warm hospitality from both James and Veronica.
Veronica, I thank you for making me an honorary paul bearer during James' funeral, that was an honor to me and I will hold that with pride for the rest of my life. Alexis, Jesse-James, James gave you great genes, and from what I saw when going through the academy with him, that means you two are capcble of achieving anything and everything in greatness. I hope the two of you grow up close with each other and that one day, Alexis, will be able to tell Jesse-James the kind of great man their father is. Veronica, I wish the best for you, I remember how composed and strong you were during those unfortunate times, and it doesn't surprise me of your strength, it was a requirement I suppose if you were to be with James. I wish the best for you all and pray for the best for you all.

Vincent

vincent montez
NMSP

October 2, 2008

Hi Cousin- I have been meaning to say alot, I guess I just had to wait a while and face the fact that you are really gone. Its been a while since you have been gone, but with me, you never really left,losing you just made it a reality and its hard to accept. So here I am talking to you like I would in a normal conversation as if u were here because thats the only way I know how. Your birthday just past and its a drag because I couldnt hear all the good things that one would usually hear when they celebrate. All I could do was think about you and your mom that day and it bugged me bad. So Happy Late Birthday Cuz, I love you... I have listened and have thoughts running through my mind when I think of you about how things turned out when you left all of us and as much as I hate to say it cuz "you would be real disappointed" if you knew how some of the ppl that were in your life have chose to go about things. I wish I could talk to them but, I love you too much to hurt you by doing so. Your in a better place cousin but i know your watching all of us. Your not here but your always going to be my family and your always going to be close to my heart til the day I die. I hope to see your kids grow into the kind of adult that you turned out to be, please help guide them James. I'm ALWAYS going to be proud of you, I just wish I would have told you. I miss you but I'll see you again. So until then you'll stay fresh in my mind as if you never left, believe that. I love you James.

Lola
Cousin

September 20, 2008

My condolences on the loss of such a young hero. I only now have come across Officer Archuleta's site. From the page he was a wonderful Marine, New Mexico State Police officer, loving Fiance & Father. Loved by so many. It is so sad that as time has gone on, & it will, the love of this young man has not been allowed to shine through to all his loved ones. Grief is very difficult, but only you can help your heart heal. Love is the answer, our family has been there, & still struggles.

SMILE BECAUSE HE LIVED

You can shed tears that he is gone,
or you can smile because he lived.
You can close your eyes & pray he will come back,
or you can open your eyes & see all that he has left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see him
or you can be full of the love he shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow & live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember him & only that he is gone,
or you can cherish his memory & let it live on.
You can cry & close your mind, be empty & turn back
or you can do what he would want,
SMILE, OPEN YOUR EYES & GO ON.

Eileen Harris
Relative of fallen Kansas officer

September 20, 2008

happy late birthday.

i haven't talk to you in a long time, sorry about that anyways here i go. there has been a lot of things going on in my life as i'm sure you know. if you can let me know some way. let me know if you have seen my brother up there? god called him on augest 1, 2008. it was a bad day for me. if you see him tell him we all miss him and love him like crazy. his name is lennie. he is a biker like you, he loves his bike and that is what took his life. it is strange how people get when they lose a loved-one i don't know if it's because of there pain or what it is. i think everyone dials with it in their own diffrent ways. so people get mean some get mad fast and some i just don't know. i better go see you and my brother some day. please keep taking care of us down here.

alex

alex

September 16, 2008

Happy Birthday James!
Blessed, yes, to have had the time with you we did. Grateful, yes, for the love you continually shared. Lucky, yes, people like you only come along once in a life time. And I was truely blessed to have been your chosen partner, and have our beautiful son. I walk tall and will always hold my head high for I carry no guilt for others lack of interst in making a TRUE effort to be part of our sons life. Jesse-James IS beautiful, and he IS smart. He knows who visits and wants to see him. All the children & friends who love you, celebrate you without trying to spread hostility, negativity or animosity. Our day was filled and surrounded by love and happiness, because we were celebrating you! As we always do. Your day was a happy day for us, just as you would have it! Love you always! Veronica & Jesse-James

Veronica & Jesse-James Archuleta
Fiance & Son

September 11, 2008

"HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY DADDY" Days, Weeks, Months, and OH how the years have come and gone, not a single moment has gone by that I don't think of you. "YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MY HEART"... Keep shining down on my lil' brother and I, for our memories of you will never die. I miss and love you with all my heart.

"Te Amo Daddy"
Alexis

Alexis Archuleta
DAUGHTER

September 10, 2008

Hey Brother, I wanted to tell you Happy Birthday. I miss you more than you know. It still hasn't gotten easier.
It's football season again, I just keep thinking of your short 1 day trips to Denver with Dad on the Harley's just to see the Bronco game. You guys were so crazy!
Well I hope you have a Happy 30th in Heaven. I Love You!

Until We Meet Again You Are Forever In My Heart

Jess
Sister

September 10, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES

Veronica
Cousin

September 10, 2008

James,

Happy Birthday Hito, We miss you so much.. I wish you could be here. It is still so hard, there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of you. I miss your calls, and you stopping by to eat dinner with us. Today me and dad were driving to work, I asked dad do you think it gets easier!! I don't know, I just as God to get me through each day with as little pain as possible. James your such a big part of our family! I wish I could have taken your place, you needed to be here with your hito and hita. I know they will make you proud, you may be gone but a big part of you still lives. We love you, your always in our hearts. Happy Birthday

Anonymous

September 10, 2008

Dear Archuleta Family,

My deepest regards go out to you. I went to boot camp with your son and lived two racks down from him. I enjoyed becoming a Marine along side of him and am saddened to hear of your loss. I remember thinking highly of your son and know that he would have continued to be a great police officer, father and son.

Respectfully,

Sgt Stecklein
Militar Police Investigator
USMC

Sgt Stecklein
USMC

September 2, 2008

James,
Our Hito is so big and smart! He never ceases to amaze me with just how smart he is. He popped out with "my daddy used to take me in his police car and I would kick the cage!" I've never told him of this. He just remembered! I remember you saying how he would laugh when you'd tell him to stop, 30 minutes non-stop to Nana's house. You'd say, this kid, I don't know what to do with him, & you'd laugh! I will be wrestling with him and he'll say, " do jungle gym like Daddy!" He is so expressive in all he says. He colors pictures for you and makes things out of playdough for his daddy. He says the American flag is "his Daddy's flag!" Boy will he be upset to realize that it belongs to so many others as well! Ha!Ha! Your fellow brother Marines tell me he looks just like "Little Man!" He is getting so tall, and he wants to try everything. I know your watching, but my heart still wishes you were here with me to love & raise him. I can question so many things, like why this happen to us, why it had to be you that left, why life sometimes seems so unfair. But in the end, none of it will ever bring you back to us. I know if it were your choice, you'd have faught tooth & nail with every ounce of your being, to stay with us. But here again, God is the only entity that holds the knowledge as to why it was you. I will always hold you in my heart and your with me everyday that I wake up and when I sleep. Your son is in good hands, YOU know this. You always said you knew that I'd never let anything happen to him and I'd always give my best to him. Rest assured James, his best interest is always of the upmost importance to me and those that truly love him. By the grace of God, you left your most treasured assests behind, and I was blessed to have and to be able to hold one of them. We love you and your always with us! Keep smiling down on us, your hito says you're up above, and I know it's true!
Love,
Veronica & Jesse-James (Little Man Jr.)

Veronica & Jesse-James Archuleta
Fiance & 3 yr. old son

August 27, 2008

Hi Hito,

It's so hard, I can't seem to get a handle on it.
Just when I think it's going to be okay I crash.
I know you would want me to be strong but it's not easy.
I guess I will just have to deal with it. It would be so easy to give up, but I know we still have your brother and sister, not to mention the babies. I don't know what life ahead hold for us but it can never be as bad as these last couple years have been. Your sis is doing good you would be proud, she really seems to like her job. Leon is doing good he tries to calls us once a week. Okay I know I can't lie to you but we hear from him more often. James just want to say you will never be far from my heart, and
we miss you and all your friends. We miss the nights of you knocking on the bedroom door, saying mom I brought some of my buddies to eat. Sometimes I walk into the front room and look for you on the couch. Remember when you would leave I would always tell you Be Safe, I love you... You are so loving and forgiving I wish I could be like you. I have so many mixed feelings, betrayal, hate and anger. I know me and dad are good people, I can't even begin to think why this. Well I guess I just have to deal with it just like everything else.
I love you hito, you are missed soooooooooo much. Sometimes I can feel your presence. Love you always
ME

Mom

July 9, 2008

Alexandria,
I didn't mean to leave you out of the message, I pray for you and your dad!

Motor Patrol Ofc. I Valerio
New Mexico State Police

June 21, 2008

Hey brother, it's your two year aniv. It's been a hard two years. We Lost Chris last year and Lt this year. Missed ya at Red the last two years! I had the privliage of escorting your motorcade. My 12 went to school with your sis. I pray for Veronica, James Jr., Jessica, and your family.

"Freedom, knows no Holiday", "For thos who have defended it freedom has sweet taste, the protected will never know".
Author Unknown!

Motor Patrol Ofc. I Valerio
New Mexico State Police

June 21, 2008

Happy Father's Day James. I know that everyone that knew you is proud of all your life time accomplishments, but above all, I know you carried you greatest assests in your heart, your children. I will never forget the amazed, proud & happy expression on your face the moment our son Jesse-James was placed in your arms. I will always carry it in my heart. You looked at me and so proud said, " look babe, he's so big, and look at all his hair!. You held him so close and took him to show the family so proudly. I remember how gentle you were the times you'd bath and dress him. You loved him so much, it radiated from you. For hands that had seen battle and been worked till they were soar, your love showed in every action with your children. I remember the first nose bleed our baby got, it would be the first and last one that your gentle hands would tend to. And as I watched, you cleaned his tears, held him close and told him, " Don't cry Hito, Daddy got lots, but he survived! It's Okay!" Then you sent him on his way. I am proud and have ALWAYS been proud of who my sons' father is. You are and will always be the best. You always said that if people did not have children, they had nothing, and they'd leave the world with nothing of value when they were gone. You loved yours with all your heart, and it is something that Jesse-James will always know. I will raise him to know that type of person you were and all the aspirations and dreams you held for him. To live up to your expectaions will be no small feat. But, our son has you running in his blood, he too will acheive great things. We love you and your day is today calendar wise, but we celebrate your life everyday. I am blessed to have my little piece of Heaven in my arms. Rest Well James, because soon enough your gonna have to be our hitos guardian angel because he is one heck of a little whirl wind.......You wouldn't have it any other way. Love ya, me.

Veronica & Your little Buddy, Jesse-James

Veronica & Jesse-James Archuleta
Fiancee & son

June 15, 2008

miss him alot to any body that served with James write me im his cousin meet 4 th recon bn lookiing for any body in 4 th bat recon

cpl martinez

June 13, 2008

Hey James.What's up bro? I can't believe that it has been 2 yrs. I miss ya. Happy anniversary in Heaven. I will never forget you. I still can't it. I know I sound retarded but it seems like yesterday. I finally put up a couple of pictures of you and I in one of the rooms downstairs. I know I should have been there at the time of the accident but I couldn't face it. It still somewhat hard for me. I sometimes think of the good times we had in the Corps, going out to New Bern, Myrtle Beach or just hangin locally. Oh one thing I won't forget is when you had a little bit to much and I helped you into the F150 and you were hangin outside the passenger door threw the window and left a nice stain on your truck and I'm laughin my ass off. I had to grab you by your waistline so you wouldn't fall out of the truck. That was a classic moment. The one thing is that things like this will live forever. I hope Veronica isn't mad at me. I left a couple of messages and she didn't call. She is probably so damn busy. I don't want to be a pain either. I'll talk to you soon.
Later Joey

PO Joe Terrasi
NYPD/Marine

June 5, 2008

Hey Brother,
I think I finally realized yesterday that you weren't coming back. I miss you so much. It seems like it just happened, there is no way two years have gone by. It still hurts, time does not make it easier. Maybe more time is needed to ease the heartache??? Who knows, we'll just have to see.
Your neices are growing so fast. Athena goes to middle school this coming year, Alicia will be going into third grade, and your Chubby will be in first grade (no more naptime for her). They miss you a lot. Sometimes they cry, then sometimes they just talk about (remember when) stories of you. Every once in awhile when we are at your cross or your grave they'll just get this look on their little faces. Those looks are the hardest to see. I always let them know that you're watching over us.
I wish there was something I could do to have you back, even just for one more day. There are so many things that I wish I would have told you, and asked you. I just wish things were the way they used to be.
I love you, keep watching over us and protecting us. As always, Until We Meet Again, You Are Forever In My Heart!!

Jess
Sister

June 5, 2008

"ALWAYS IN MY HEART"

As The Sun Came Up This Morning
I Looked For You Above
My Heart Is Oh So Heavy Daddy
There's Something You Need To Know
Not A Day Goes By Without You On My Mind
I Think Of Your Smile Your Kindness
But Most Of All I Miss Your Kisses And Hugs
Your With Me Each And Every Day Daddy
You Are My Stars, Sun And My Moon
You Will Never Be Forgotton Daddy
You Are "ALWAYS IN MY HEART"...

Always In My Heart,
Alexis

Alexis Archuleta
Daughter

June 4, 2008

Its been two years daddy since you left, Im sorry I don't leave reflections as often and Im not sure if Im completely ready to say " GOOD-BYE ". You are always in my HEART, MIND, and SOUL. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you. Im doing good daddy, doing what you would want me to do " BE STRONG & DO MY BEST ". I don't get to see my brother as often as you would want us to, but I know for a fact you are taking good care of him from up above. Im also taking good care of my Grandpa Levie and Grandma Phyllis for you, like you would want me to. Don't worry daddy I will make you proud, and the reason I know is because im exactly like you...

Te Amo Daddy
Alexis

Alexis Archuleta
Daughter

June 4, 2008

I see that tomorrow June 4th is your 2nd Heavenly Birthday. I just wanted to say that I too was thinking about all the men and women who have given their lives in the line of Duty. James I met your Dad at COPS parents retreat last year. We met because our first and last names are the same, and we both lost a son. I can see by the reflections left on your site that you are loved and missed very much. I know and feel the love, the pain, the missing, and grief that comes with your loved one being gone. Thanks again James for your service to your city and our country.

Don Archuleta
Proud Father of Deputy Daniel Archuleta, EOW 9-12-04

June 3, 2008

Its been two years that you left to be in God's Kingdom - what a special place to be along side our Savior watching over us. The loss we felt June 4, 2006 does not get easier over time - I think it gets harder knowing that life continues and you are not physically here. You are here in spirit but what I miss most is YOU; your voice, your laughter, and your smile.

Your Mom and Dad are planning a MEMORIAL RIDE in your honor - all your family and friends will be riding their motorcycles, cars, or trucks - whatever it takes to show everyone you are dearly missed and truly loved.

I miss you James........

Veronica
COUSIN

June 2, 2008

We had a wonderful time in Red River this year! You were with us in heart! You probably laughed watching Jesse-James laughing and hollaring as he & I rode the go-carts. He loves to feel the speed of racing around the track! He waved at everyone and smiled so happily! Of course he loves the bikes too! Everyone compliments me on what a handsome boy our Jesse-James is. Bikers would come over and ask to give him Knuckles. We got to visit with so many family & friends. He went immediately with Tony. We saw all our friends from NMSP and they always love our boy. He goes straight to them too! I know you were watching over us and keeping us safe and happy. We love you, now & ALWAYS.

Veronica & Jesse-James

Veronica & Jesse-James Archuleta
Fiancee & son

May 28, 2008

I was trying to visit my cousin's memorial and this one caught my eye. So sad that such a young man would lose his life so prematurely. May God give strength to his fiancee, family and friends and may God protect his son and daughter from any further pain. May they find comfort in knowing that their father is watching over them always.

Dionne Arruda
New Bedford, MA

May 25, 2008

Hello James,

It's getting close to the day you broke our hearts. Not a day goes by that you're not on my mind or in my heart. Nothing & nobody will ever change the love I have for you in my heart! I believe in the strength of love. Your son is loved by so many wonderful people. We were all blessed to have you in our lives. You live on through our memories, stories, and your children. Your light burns bright in our lives and it always will. You're with us, I still feel you. Partners til the end! Our little Sunshine lights up my home, Jesse-James! Boy does he let his little light shine! He's beautiful, but I know you know this. I love and miss you greatly James!

Veronica & Jesse-James

Veronica & Jesse-James Archuleta
Fiancee & son

May 9, 2008