Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

You crossed my mind today.

Chris Douglas
Citizen

November 28, 2024

You are never forgotten.

Sgt A. Whitney (Ret)
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, AZ

June 19, 2023

I didn’t know you Gary, but I have a piece of you, for the last 29 years I have owned your 1979 10th anniversary trans am that you bought brand new, and when I finish the restoration I would like your son and daughter to see it

Kenny followell

December 23, 2022

Will never forget how you relentlessly picked on me as a child. I miss your jokes and your laugh. Mom missed you the most. Hope you guys are sharing a cold one and talking shop up there...

Jodi L. (Landers) Harris

October 16, 2022

You are not forgotten.

Sgt A. Whitney (Ret)
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, AZ

April 9, 2022

Thank you for your service to our GREAT country, and to the State of Arizona. You will never be forgotten.

First Sergeant Thomas Webb, Retired.
New York State Police - Troop D

August 4, 2020

Officer Maas lost his life just a short time before I went to the Academy in Yuma. You can bet his presence was felt in our training as the instructors were his very close friends. As I approach retirement this year the sacrifice and its impact on my own career does not go unnoticed.

Lieutenant Jim Coffey
Coconino County Sheriff’s Office

April 10, 2020

You are never forgotten. A Blue Sister lost her life serving her agency today in Indianapolis. Please take care of her. Semper Fi.

Sgt. Albert Whitney (Ret)
Yuma County Sheriff's Office

April 9, 2020

I recall this incident, I was off Duty at the time, two of our Winterhaven Deputies got the call first when the Bus was at the California Inspection Station just West of Winterhaven but the bus was gone on arrival. The Bus went into Yuma, AZ to the Yuma Greyhound Bus Depot when this incident occurred. RIP Officer Mass.

Retired Alton Montague
ICSO

April 7, 2020

Rest in peace Patrolman Maas.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 29, 2019

To the entire Maas family. My deepest condolences. I haven’t shared this information very many times. I just want the Maas family to know I did everything I could that night. I don’t know why I was there at that moment, maybe it was to save someone who really knew Gary from being traumatized.. . ....I didn’t know Gary, had never met him, but I was first on scene, not on duty at the time, but I was there across the street during the incident. My daughter was later born April 9th. I find myself thinking of Gary and his children on this day every year. One life ends and another begins. May you Rest In Peace Gary and your family find peace and healing.

Former Deputy Dan Raymond
Yuma County S.O.

April 10, 2019

You are not forgotten Brother Maas.

Sgt. Eric Egan
Yuma Police Department

April 9, 2018

Officer Gary Alan Maas,
There is not a day that goes by since our lives came together that I (we) don't Thank God for the sacrifice you made We pray for your family,friends and fellow police officers and ask that God will comfort and protect them.I truly believe that your life was exchanged for mine and our sons life that April 9th.We want to thank you for your service and let you know that we have been happily married for 30 years and our son now for 12 years. We have enjoyed our lives and tried to honor God and care for our fellow man.We use your badge# as a reminder to pray for all police officers who willingly risk their lives everyday,and for their families.We especially pray for your family as they have continued on in their life journey without you by their side. Yet we know you are watching them from heaven"s view just as they are looking up in those special moments for your nodding approval! So to close I just want to say that you are my Hero I see you as a modern day Martyr who exchanged his life for mine and others and We the Tennyson Family could not be more grateful! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU !!!

Randy & Lisa Tennyson
The person who's life was saved

July 29, 2017

May you rest in the arms of the LORD, Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

michael enriquez
former Yuma PD jailer and USMC

November 20, 2016

It was an amazing honor today to take part in your killer's parole hearing. My Hero ( Daddy ) was killed when I was 10. Anytime We have an officers killer up for parole I as coordinator of ODMP's No parole program try to find out as much about that officer as I can. I find that the best way to learn about the officer is to read reflections left by the officers friends and family. I do my best to read every reflection, that is a tall order sometimes but when I am done I almost feel like I knew that officer personally. Officer Maas also had a little girl Reading her reflections I could feel the pride and anguish. Her reflections made me more determined to To do a good job of letting the parole board see what this killer did. I always feel honored to be able to speak for the survivors and the law enforcement community. I am thrilled to end this by telling you that the parole board voted unanimously to deny parole To this officer's killer. And if Arizona ever lets go of him he has detainers in two other states for murder. There were 2 warrants for murder out on him when he killed this offiicer. I doubt he will ever see the light of day and that is how it should be. There will be more parole hearings and I will speak at each one. Maas is one of our fallen heroes and his family also part of the law enforcement family have suffered so much and each time he comes up for parole. They and all of my living officers are in my prayers always

Angela McMinn Daughter of Chief of police Andrew Williams killed in 1976

September 7, 2016

My letter has gone out, many thanks for your service to our country. My prayers be with your family.

John Haseltine - Civilian

September 4, 2016

Proud to send my No Parole letter today. You have not been forgotten sir and prayers are going up for those you left behind.

Snr. Ptlmn Donnie Meaders (Retired)
Wewoka, OK Police Department

September 2, 2016

Gary,

It's been 30 years since that terrible night and the memories are still so vivid. You have been missed, but never forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your and your family year around, but every year on this date it is a reflection back to 1986.

I know the streets of heaven are safer with you and so many other heros on watch.

dbr

April 9, 2016

Although I didn't know you Gary prior to this night, 1986, when I arrived within 2-3 minutes, I did everything I could. Forgive me brother. 29 years later, I've never forgot that night. May you be resting in peace.

Former Deputy
Yuma County Sheriff's Office

April 9, 2015

I knew Gary when he was a marine in Yuma, AZ. He was a wonderful man and a very good friend to my family. I watched his children for him while he was at work. I was saddened when I heard he had died. I will always remember his smile and laughter. He is and will always be remembered fondly.

Debi Rogers
A friend

December 29, 2014

Yesterday I had the honor of attending a ceremony in Dodge County,Wis. with Gary's sister Mary. It was held to honor fallen police officers of Dodge County, I assume because Gary was from the area he is included. It is here that they are raising money to build a memorial which will include Gary's name. I was ,and still am, a family friend. Will also remember Gary with fondness and with a smile on my face. He will always be loved by many and he died doing what he loved. Quote from flyer "It's not how these officers died that made them heros...it is how they lived." Amen. Rest assured Gary, you will NEVER be forgotten.

Judy McNamara
Family friend

May 15, 2014

I didn't know you, but I thank you. RIP

anonymous
COY

April 9, 2014

You wrote a poem 7 days before you died. It was given to me, in a frame with your picture on the side of it, by my mom. I was young and writing a lot of poems back then.

After reading it for the first time my heart dropped. The poem was for me (that I had put in my mind). Like a goodbye letter that you made into a poem for me. So I decided to write you back (wink wink) by emerging our poems together. Here it is:


I don’t know where I’m going,
But I sure know where I’ve been;
Once in awhile I look back,
But then I turn around again;
I don’t know what I’m doing
So forgive me if I offend
Why your not here with me
I still can’t comprehend
I have burned a few bridges
And stumbled over rocky roads;
Theres been times I’ve been carefree,
And times I’ve carried heavy loads.
“Live life how you make it”
was something I’ve been told
Is kinda hard to do
When your life is being controlled
Friends come and go,
Enemies the same,
Some leave you with a smile,
Some leave you feeling pain.
Friends and Family
Are pretty much the same
Never there when you need them
Now isn’t that a shame
I don’t want to move back the hands of time,
I don’t really want a second try
I can accept the decisions I’ve made,
And I can live with what I feel inside;
So you wouldn’t go back in time
If given a second try
Even after the decision you’ve made
by leaving me behind
The grass may be a little greener
And there may be a silver lining,
But I’ll stick with what I am
And take my chances on where I’m going.
What more can life bring me
Is what I hate not knowing
Why can’t I just be with you
And take my chances on where I’m going


By Gary Maas By Leticia Maas
4/2/1986 8/26/2013

(Of course that's not the date that I made this poem, but of the date I typed it up and finally showed the family)

Love Always and Forever,
Your lil' Girl,
Leticia Maas

Leticia Maas
Daughter

August 28, 2013

Still thinking about you my friend and yes still missing you..

J. R. Skaggs
Retired Deputy U. S. Marshal

May 25, 2013

Little brother, I still miss you & our talks so much. I choose not to remember that night but all the good times we shared. The laughter, the jokes, the teasing, but most importantly the friendship. I know someday we'll see each other again and as God said 'there will be no more tears or sadness.'

Maria
YPD Comm. Retired

April 10, 2013