Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I worked with John Jameson at the Coconino County Sheriff’s Department in the late 70’s. A short time after I left law enforcement to attend graduate school he was killed. John was a fascinating person and a great Deputy Sheriff. He was a radiologist and pilot, and flew a twin engine plane all over Northern Arizona practicing medicine. John had that incredible poise we associate with doctors but never took himself too seriously.

I now manage employment and promotional testing for the San Francisco Police Department. We lost a Police Officer last week and was struck by how memories of John flooded my consciousness. The same day Dr. Michael Maughan, an Industrial Psychologist from Texas, surprised me with a visit. Mike was my Sergeant at Coconino County and a good friend of John’s. Such a tragic loss of a truly good man.

Bruce W. Topp, Ph.D.
Former Deputy Sheriff, Coconino County

August 2, 2006

Deputy Jamison,
On the 23rd anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Coconino County. It took 18 more years but the scum that murdered you finally got the justice he deserved.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

September 6, 2005

John, Today, Sept 6th markes the 23rd year of your death and I just wanted to stop by and say that you are missed. The investigation and the trial consumed me for the following 9 months. One year later, Sept 6th 1983, I applied for and was granted a disability retirement from the Sheriff's Department. Today your death remains as fresh in my mind as if it had happened yesterday. I hope you are not patroling the streets of heaven but are applying your real profession of being a Doctor. God Bless you.
DET LT TOM BRAWLEY ( RET )
BANGKOK, THAILAND

DET LT TOM BRAWLEY ( RET )
COCONINO COUNTY SHERIFF's DEPT

September 5, 2005

The Deputy Sheriff stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his boots were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, Deputy.
How shall I deal with you.?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true ?"

The Deputy squared his shoulders and said,
" No lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry a badge
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 wasen't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just 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 a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the Deputy waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, Deputy
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

DET LT TOM BRAWLEY ( RET )
COCONINO COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

February 18, 2005