Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hi Uncle,

It’s me again. Just wanted to let you know that we all still think about you often and always remember this day as if it were yesterday. I hope you and my dad are resting easy.
We all love you very much.

Janise Jaramillo

Janise Jaramillo

September 25, 2023

Hi Uncle,

Today marks the anniversary that you were taken from us. I write this reflection here today remembering you and knowing that my dad is finally reunited with you. He always remembered you lovingly and we will continue to do the same. I feel some peace knowing that he is with you and no longer suffering. Rest easy with your brother, uncle and know that you both are loved so much.

Janise Jaramillo

September 25, 2022

To my brother Sam,

Sam I think of you every day. You will never leave my heart. You are irreplaceable in our family. Someday I hope to see you again. Love from all of our family.

Maurice, Lucy, Tony, Janise and Sandra

Maurice Jaramillo

September 26, 2021

Hi Uncle,

Today marks 46 years years since you were taken from us. You have now been gone as many years as you were here. I see the pain in my dads eyes when he talks about you. Lassie called my dad on Wednesday and we all talked with her. She still sounds so good and is always so sweet. What a wonderful lady you married. We visit with her occasionally and always go up to visit you as well. We love you and miss you so much.

All my love,
Janise Jaramillo

Niece

September 25, 2021

Hi Uncle,

I wrote on this page yesterday but it doesn’t seem to have taken. My post said that today marks 45 years of your EOW. I think of you daily and have a photo of you on my refrigerator. You were a great uncle and I remember visiting you every few years as we changed duty stations, All of us always looked forward to visiting with you and your family. You were a fun, funny, kind and generous person. You are missed by all of us. Dad took your death so hard and I don’t think he really got over losing you. I don’t know if anyone ever gets over losing a loved one.

My love forever,
Your niece,
Janise Jaramillo

Janise Jaramillo
Niece

September 26, 2020

Hi Uncle,

Today marks 45 years since your death. I think of you often and have your photo on my frig. My dad remembers you fondly and misses you so much. I remember you as a kind, fun and generous person. You are missed dearly and remembered lovingly. I commemorate you on my license plate and live here in Arizona. RIP uncle.

Love,
Janise Jaramillo

Janise Jaramillo
Niece

September 26, 2020

My name is Beth Conlin (Hay). My family owned the Sport Shack in Springerville from 1972 until approximately 2000. I often recall the story from Martin Hay, my dad; of the advice Sam gave him. Being a sporting goods store, we carried many handguns and rifles. Sam would come in periodically and visit with my dad. We lived behind the store then in a little apartment. Sam advised Daddy that if we ever had a 'problem' with someone trying to break in; we were to shoot him, drag him inside and then call the authorities. Advice that definitely could not be taken these days, but in the 70's it would have been ok. We did have a break in, though several years later; and we no longer resided in the little apartment. When Sam was killed, I was attending ASU and I remember how sad my folks were at the news.
I work part time now in the Springerville Heritage Museum and Sam is remembered in one of our exhibits. I was doing some research and came across this Memorial site. If any of his family members still look at this site, I want to give my condolences (though many years later) as I know first hand; when a family member passes away; the heartache never really does.

Beth Conlin
Springerville townsperson

November 7, 2018

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 37th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never dimishes respect. Your memory will always be remembered and revered.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

September 25, 2012

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

August 19, 2012

Dad, I can't beleive today will mark your 36th anniversary since you have left us. Alot has changed for better and worse. I think of you every day of my life, and know you are in a better place. I always think of how you would be today if you were still alive. I have always been proud to be your son and the legacy that you left with your short life in Round Valley. You are now a great-grandfather and have three beautiful grandchildren and a whole lot of people that think about you every day. Rest in peace dad , I love You, LeRoy J

LeRoy Jaramillo
Son

September 25, 2011

Dear Uncle Sam,

I did not know this website existed until now, so I would like to leave my thoughts. It has been a long time since that horrible, fateful night. I remember like it was yesterday my dad's reaction to the news. We all cried so hard and for so long. I am now four years older than you when your life was taken away. I think about you and your family quite often. I remember when we were so young and my dad would get transfered we would always come thru New Mexico and Arizona to stop and see the grandparents and all the aunts and uncles before moving on to our next duty station. We always had such a good time with you, we never wanted to leave. You always made us feel so welcome, at home and loved. I miss that contagious smile, your playful energy, and your sense of humor. You were a wonderful, loving, honest and caring individual with so much more life to live. After I got married and had my first child, I named him after you, his name is Samuel Anthony McBee and his initials even spell your name. He, like you, is a wonderful person and so full of life. A few years back when my parents were visiting me back East I took them to Washington, D.C. They have a policeman's memorial wall there with your name on it, as well as all of our fallen heroes. It was an amazing and scary thing so see, all of those thousands of fallen officers. You are always in my heart uncle, I think of you so often. My prayers are with your wife and kids and have been since that night. Rest in peace uncle.

All my love,
Janise Jaramillo-McBee

Janise McBee-Jaramillo
niece

February 18, 2009

Rest in Peace, Marshal Jaramillo. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

May 17, 2008

Dear Sam,

Hello Sir, my name is Shawn Herbella and my biological father took your life. My birth name was Shawn Davis but I changed it out of respect for my grandparents on my mothers side. I just want you to know that your life was not sacrificed in vain. If Merv had not been arrested and sent to prison in 1975, my brother and I would have been "raised" by him. I have always made it my life mission not to continue in Merv's footsteps out of respect for you and your family. I served as a probation officer in Phoenix for 6 years and am now just weeks shy of graduating as a Blackhawk pilot in the U.S. Army. I would have ended up dead or in prison by now if you had not saved me that night. Thank you Sir, you are my hero!
With all of the gratitude and respect in the world,
Shawn Herbella 2008

WO1 Herbella, Shawn P

April 19, 2008

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

August 1, 2007

Sam, Here it is 29 years ago this month that you gave your life to protect the citizens of Springerville. I REMEMBER. I remember the many hours that I rode with you on your rounds. I remember the storys we told each other. I remember the laughs we had. I remember when we attended the Academy together. I remember all the nice dinners we had each evening during the Academy. We must have tried all the resturants in Flagstaff. I remember how much you loved your Wife. I remember how proud you were of your Sons. I remember receiving the phone call the night you were killed and how shocked & sad I felt. I remember being a pallbearer at your service and how honored I felt to do that for you. But most of all, I remember being your friend. Rest easy Sam, Rest easy.

DET.LT.TOM BRAWLEY, RETIRED
COCONINO COUNTY SHERIFF's DEPT.

September 21, 2004