Deputy Sheriff Robert William Varner Jr. Navajo County Sheriff's Department Arizona Monday, January 2, 1989  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 22 of 2

You were thought of today...gone, but not forgotten. Rest in peace, Deputy Varner.

Deputy Tina Holtz
Chautauqua Co. Sheriff's Office
2009-09-30

dear grandpa,
i never got to hear your voice or feel your warmth. you were gone before i could tell you how much i love you and thank you for everything. everyone tells me stories about you and i smile and think about what all i missed. i wish you were here today to see me, michael, robert, and laura. we talk about you whenever we are together.

when im with my friends and they ask me who im related to i always say you. they always have stories to tell me. good and bad. but everytime they start talking about you i stop and think that i will never get to have those same chances they did you get to know you and see who you really are.

grandma is doing good. but trying to get her to stop smoking is one of the hardest things. she is a big help to all of us. she really misses you. we all miss you. my mom, uncle steve, aunt cheryl. everyone.

i try watching those tapes about you. its to hard. seeing all those people who cared about you crying. just seeing and hearing everything makes me all the more want to see you soon.

oh yeah, and did i tell you? i made the high school pommie team. im almost to high school. a few more days. and im going to washington dc and new york. mom is going to try and take me to see your name on the wall. it would be major cool if i did.

well, what can i say other than i miss you and love you lots. watch over us everyday please. i will think about you lots. i love you grandpa.

yours forever and a day,
Melanie Reese Rivera [grand daughter]

Melanie Rivera
Grand Daughter
2008-05-25

REST IN PEACE DEPUTY VARNER. YOU ARE A HERO WHO WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED FOR YOUR COURAGEOUS SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY. CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER THEM, AS WELL AS ALL OF OUR POLICE OFFICERS STILL SERVING.

JOB WELL DONE DEPUTY VARNER. NEVER FORGOTTEN.

Jim Sweeney Civilian New Jersey
A friend to our Police Officers
2008-05-02

I KNOW THAT YOU ARE CONTINUING YOUR TOUR OF DUTY WITH GOD
I WILL PRAY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. THANK TO A TRUE HERO

P/O
PHILA
2008-04-17

Rest in peace, Deputy. You haven't been forgotten, and your memory is still honored and cherished.

Chaplain Susan Keppy
Lewiston (NY) Police Department
2007-12-31

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

vandenberghe
manchester, nh
2007-12-30

Rest in peace, brother.

PJN
Cook County IL Sheriff's
2007-12-01

I didn't know you brother, but hope you rest in peace. The prayers of my family and I are with you and yours.

Mike

mike
MA police officer
2007-10-04

I have recently had the pleasure of "meeting" your daughter Cheryl, on line, through the policelink site. She seems like an awesome woman, and I hope she and I will build a long lasting friendship. Rest in peace; thank you for your man years of service, and your dedication! And, thank you for your daughter, Cheryl!

Joanie

2007-09-21

"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.
2007-07-11

I talked to Steve today and he has talked to others about you to otheres today. you are loved and missed, I wish I had the chance to meet you.


Bob Steinat

2007-06-17

Bob was a cops cop. I was honored to teach academy with him in Snowflake as well as have the opportunity to work and learn from him. Man did Bob have great stories! His passing was a loss to all.

Dennis "Bones" Evers

Chief Dennis Evers
Taylor PD
2007-04-11

Rest in Peace, Deputy Sheriff Varner. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

2007-03-14

This person was truly blessed by a circle of love and friendship. I am considering a career with the Navajo County Sheriff's Dept in the future. Deputy Varner's career and death should serve as a testiment to any new officer's commitment to the honor this slain officer upheld. I may wish to apply to this department in the future, as I hope to relocate from the Scottsdale/Phoenix region. My heartfelt prayers and sympathy go out to the surviving family, friends, and co-workers to this officer. The reflection and celebration of this man is one I hope to get to know upon moving permanently to the city of Show Low this spring. I wish to be a good asset to this community and make this my new home. Till we personally meet.....Matt P.

none yet
a caring citizen
2007-03-04

To my mentor, my training officer, my partner, my friend:

Bob- AKA "Zero", "the Fly" AHP252, DPS438 and Navajo 48!

Everyone had a nickname given freely and humorously by you. Mine was given the day I met you in March 1968. "Pottybody" became my nickname because your 3 year old daughter Cheryl wouldn't say "Peabody". There are still acquaintances of yours and mine who call me by that nickname. I wear it proudly.

I will always miss your smiling face and your infectious laugh. Most of all I miss you. You were my training officer, who taught me how to investigate traffic accidents, fill out all the paperwork without errors, apprehend stolen vehicles and how to be courteous but firm with the people we came in contact with. US 66 between Winslow and Flagstaff was our domain and traffic deaths occurred on that two lane highway nearly every day. You taught me how to deal with that carnage and not lose my sanity. This was due to your off beat sense of humor. I don't use the term derogatorily. Your way of dealing with travelers and bad guys earned their respect and really earned mine.

The night you were shot was New Years Eve and I, along with several of my fellow Special Operations Unit (SWAT) team members were attending a party when I got the call from Captain Mike Denney. I was so shocked I could hardly speak. I told Mike you were my training officer and he didn't know that. We left the party immediately and met at Sky Harbor with all our gear. Cathy and Joan got off the DPS plane and I promised Cathy we would get the guys who shot you. The next 40 hours were the toughest I had spent of my career. Lillian went to the hospital to be with Cathy along with Don Williams and Dennis McNulty. Once we arrived in Holbrook at midnight, we began our portion of the manhunt and were able to track the shooter's footprints west through the high desert. The dogs from ADOC and Gila County were ineffective due to the extreme cold. We followed Douglas Savory's tracks nearly all the way back to Winslow and lost them near the Little Colorado River crossing. Early Sunday morning I was told that you had passed away. That same morning old John Thompson went to his ranch outside of Winslow and found things awry. He contacted the Navajo Co. deputies who went to the ranch and were fired upon by Savory using his AK47. He emptied the rifle and retreated into the ranch house. A short time later my team surrounded the house and pumped tear gas into it. Savory did not respond. After what seemed like an eternity, entry was made and Savory had taken the coward's way out and used his remaining 9mm to end his life. His accomplice was captured earlier that day in Holbrook. Once the all clear was given, traffic on I-40 that had been held up for hours began honking their horns in salute to you. The manhunt for these two killers was and is unmatched in Northern Arizona to this day.

A few days later at your funeral service, hundreds of police officers representing every agency in Arizona, many from New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, California and Colorado, all came to show their respects to you and your family. Trucks were lined up along I-40 and when the procession left the church, all the truckers sounded their horns in a show of respect. "Big George" McGuire and I gave the eulogy and 5 of your Arizona DPS brothers and your neighbor Jerry Stucker carried you to your earthly resting place. We know that you now rest with God and we look forward to seeing you when our time has come.

You would be proud of the efforts of Cathy, Steven, Cheryl and Joan in their work for the survivors of police officers who have met their fate in the line of duty. I know I am.

Bob, Rest in Peace.
Pottybody

Sergeant Colin Peabody, Retired
Arizona Department of Public Safety
2007-02-22

Having worked for Navajo County as the Trainng Sgt for Navajo County for the last 3 of my nearly eight years there. You are the oen that remonded me of why we train and the importance of our level of commitment. I worked with a close friend of yours, David Burke, and he always spoke highly of you. Your picture hangs on the wall in Navajo County and your story and legacy will be with me forever

Cmdr Tim Graver
Graham County
2006-11-21

Had I done my job a little better, the assailant may not have had that machinegun. Thank you for your servie, Robert William Varner Jr.

Special Agent, B.K. Uptagrafft
ATF
2006-09-06

Hello Mr. Varner.... It's Gabe Magallanez, Jake and Jane's son, your next door neighbor from winslow!

I ran into this site... and I felt compelled to share my thoughts!

.. I was more affectionately known as "Rug-rat #1" to Mr. Varner, since i was the oldest of my two brothers! He called me and my brothers rugrats all the time! (well before the TV show!) According to my mother... he named us that because my mom was very strict and we never got to play out in the front yard much without her supervision.

I have very fond memories of Mr. Varner and his family as a youth growing up around him!

Let me tell you though.... I was ALWAYS scared for my life growing up next to him! I used to walk home from Elementary school and I was always mortified of his two 'Gigantic' German Shephards! To get to my house... I HAD to pass by his house.... so I swear, he used to wait for me to come through his house and he'd always let the dogs out to chase me to my house and eat me up for dinner (so I thought!). I would start running about two houses away from his, and I'd be a TOP SPEED as I passed by his house as his front door swung open... releasing the 'hounds' on me, the rabbit!

One time I accidentally slipped in my grass front yard. I thought I was going to be sausage meat for those dogs... when I realized that all those big monsters wanted to do was lick me silly and play!

I remember when Mr. Varner got a basketball hoop mounted to the front of his house. It became our March madness tourney every other day or evening! Boy... I don't know how many games of 'HORSE' we played there with the other neighbors!

I certainly miss you Mr. Varner and you were certainly an inpiration and there for us growing up! I know you're looking down on us 'Three Rugrats' from time to time! Everytime I mention you to friends/love ones...there's not a time where a grin doesn't surface at one point or another of that conversation!

Gabe Magallanez
Rugrat #1

Gabriel Magallanez (aka rugrat #1)
Neighbor of Bob's from Winslow
2006-08-21

It's been 17 years since we had coffee and Denny's. Since my rookie days on the PD you were my teacher, my back up, and my friend. You still pop up in conversations with the old salts and with those who knew you well.

To your family, you are in my heart and mind.

Special Investigator Robin MacIntire
Arizona Department of Corrections-friend
2006-07-14

Hey big brother...it has been a long time since we talked but I still feel you near when things get a little rough.
We miss you and love you always...Mother and Harry are with you now and I know you are no longer alone.
See you one day brother...love always ,Ray

Ray Varner

2006-04-24

To an Honorable Man, Father Figure and Neighbor, It has been 17 years since I said good-bye; I still recall the events of New Year's Eve and the days following. I miss your visits, talking with you and your advice. 2006 is first New Year's Eve celebration I've stayed up for since you went home to the Lord. My children and I went outside in the brisk cold air and watched and listened to the joys of our neighbors ringing in the New Year. New Year's is starting to be a new holiday for me. I often wonder how it could be all different, what nick names you would have for my kids, what we would talk about now. I miss you and know your watching over us all, Happy New Year Bob. Kenny

Park Ranger II, Kenn Evans, II
Arizona State Parks
2006-01-10

Trooper/Deputy Varner:

We never met, but I was drawn to your Reflections site by the fine work your son has been doing in your name for all our fallen brothers and sisters. Your death has led to positive outcomes and was not in vain.

Rest in Peace Brother.

Retired from US Border Patrol. I had the pleasure of working with many other DPS troopers in Arizona and they are a fine crew.

Chief Investigator Ted L. Bader
Office of Insurance Commissioner,Washington
2005-11-30

Pop Varner, You are thought about and loved today.

Bob Steinat

2005-01-01

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)
2004-04-04

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

Deputy Sheriff
POLK County Sheriff's Office, Bartow, Florida
2004-03-19