Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, Arizona
End of Watch Thursday, June 30, 1988
Reflections for Deputy Vernon P. Marconnet
Rest in Peace, Deputy Marconnet. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.
Officer 11169
March 14, 2007
"In the simple performance of duty,
he pinned on a badge,
checked his gear with a practiced eye,
and kissed his loved ones good-bye.
In the simple performance of duty,
he reported for work,
joked with his buddies at roll call,
and made his last trip down the squad room hall.
In the simple performance of duty,
he answered the call
to help the helpless, to find the lost,
no matter the danger or how great the cost.
In the simple performance of duty,
he lay down his life,
for those in peril he tried to save,
our brave friend went to his grave.
In the simple performance of duty,
we honor his deed,
as we carry him to rest in a flag-draped casket,
long after the world has forgotten, we shall never forget.
Never judge or regret, what he did, In the simple performance of duty."
-Author unknown
A Friend
July 17, 2006
I thought of you alot yesterday and remembered the last time I saw you 2 weeks before you were killed. You came into the jail to drop off a prisoner and had a big smile on your face. You told me how many days you had until retirement and then you waved as you walked out the door. You were a big influence during my career with the MCSO and I thank you for that. You also made me laugh alot!!!
Rest in Peace.
July 1, 2006
You were a good man Vernon. I remember the day I met you, when you brought us some fresh corn and some pepsi. Your sense of humor was refreshing to us and we always enjoyed it when you stopped by the station. I'll never forget the day we responded to a deputy down. It was a horrible feeling that got even worse when we discovered it was you. I'll never forget you my friend. You were a brave man with a good heart sir. May you rest in peace!!! D.B.
Former Firefigher
R.M.F.D.
June 8, 2005
You are not forgotten.......
Sgt. Al Whitney
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Yuma, AZ
July 24, 2004
Today I commemorate the 15th anniversary of Dep. Marconnet's ultimate sacrifice. May God bless him and keep him close, and may we all keep him close to us in our hearts.
An Arizona Cop
THE POLICEMAN STOOD AND FACED HIS GOD, WHICH MUST ALWAYS COME TO PASS. HE
HOPED HIS SHOES WERE SHINING, JUST AS BRIGHTLY AS HIS BRASS. "STEP FORWARD
NOW, POLICEMAN. HOW SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU? HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER
CHEEK? TO MY CHURCH HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE?"
THE POLICEMAN SQUARED his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry badges 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
wasn't mine to keep, though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just
got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with
fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept many 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 Lord, it needn't be so
grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don't, I'll understand."
There was silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod. As
the policeman waited quietly, for the judgement of his God. "Step forward
now, policeman, you've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's
streets, you've done your time in hell."
Author Unknown
Jeanne Bailey
ex MCSO Detention Officer
The Arizona Law Enforcement Academy (ALEA) in Phoenix commemorates the sacrifice of Deputy Marconnet with a 10k run by each academy class. The halfway point of the run is at the spot where Deputy Marconnet's life ended, and each class stops there to leave flowers and pause in remembrance. It is a very touching, unique, and fitting tribute to our fallen brother.
Anonymous
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