Marshal Samuel Jaramillo Springerville Police Department Arizona Thursday, September 25, 1975  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

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
2009-02-18

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

Officer 11169

2008-05-17

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

2008-04-19

"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
2007-08-01

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.
2004-09-21