Deputy Vernon P. Marconnet Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Arizona Thursday, June 30, 1988  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

Vern, we miss you. Can't believe it's been 21 years today! You were a great man Vern and a hell of a cop. R.I.P. Brother. God Bless you my friend.

J.B. (Retired)
Friend
2009-06-30

Deputy Marconnet,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your murder, I would justd like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Maricopa County. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

R.I.P.

Anonymous

2008-06-30

Wow Vern, I can't believe it has been almost 20 years since you were taken. I think of you often, and I have been to DC and visited your name on the wall. I got an etching of it as well.

You were and still are a Hero

Old friend

2008-06-05

Was an honor to be friend with Deputy Marconnet. Vernon will always be in our family memories.

Warrants Clerk Eileen Ocano (Green)
Bonner County, ID Family Friend
2007-08-26

"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
2007-07-26

Deputy Marconnet will be remembered. I see his picture when I walk into the district everyday. I have had the opportunity to speak with other deputies that knew "Vern". He will be remembered, not only as a good deputy, but also as a good friend. When we graduate from the academy, we do a memorial run. It starts at the scene where you gave your all. It gives all deputies a sense of pride and of remembrance. Thanks, Vern.

District II Deputy
MCSO
2007-04-19

Rest in Peace, Deputy Marconnet. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

2007-03-14

"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

2006-07-17

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.

2006-07-01

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.
2005-06-08

You are not forgotten.......

Sgt. Al Whitney
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Yuma, AZ
2004-07-24

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