Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

MANY AROUND US STILL CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM US. WE BEG FOR AN ANSWER AS TO WHY. DEEP DOWN WE CAN ANSWER THIS OURSELVES. GOD HAS TAKEN YOU FOR AN EVEN HIGHER CALLING. NOW, YOU NOT ONLY PATROL YOUR COMMUNITY TO KEEP IT SAFE, YOU NOW PATROL OVER US ALL. YOU NOW HAVE THE STARS FOR YOUR LIGHTBAR (WHICH I'M SURE YOU'LL TALK GOD INTO MAKING BRIGHTER) THAT WHEN WE GET UNEASY, ENFORCING OUR LAWS OR ENTERING A BLAZING STRUCTURE, WE CAN LOOK THERE AND REST ASSURED OUR ANGEL IN BLUE IS ON THE WATCH WITH US...WE WILL BE SAFE! OUR BROTHER, OUR FRIEND....YOUR PURPOSE WILL CARRY ON.

PSO TODD IRWIN
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY SIKESTON, MISSOURI

August 23, 2005

My fiancé, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in SE Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Jay did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Jay be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Corporal Sampietro's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through these tough times, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you and that you are not alone in your "journey". Should you ever need anything please do not hesitate to contact me. (Dennis' department will also always know how to reach me.)

As a fallen officer "survivor" and a friend, please accept my condolences on behalf of myself and the McElderry family. I never got the opportunity to know Jay but, I am certain he was well respected and well loved. Jay will live on in the hearts of all the lives he touched. You were all lucky to have had him be a part of your lives, even for a short time. I pray that Jay will continue to watch over us all as only he can.

Thank you Corporal Sampietro for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiancé Dennis for me.

Wishing you and all those who loved you brighter and better days,

Jocelyne :)

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancée of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

August 23, 2005

Our prayers to the family and friends of Trooper Sampietro and to all the Troopers of the MSHP.

Deputy Brian Fiene
Camden County Sheriff's Department

August 22, 2005

To the family of Corporal Jay Sampietro Jr. My familys thoughts and prayers are with you, and the Troopers of Troop 1 Post A are with you as well.

Sergeant Tim L. Herbert
South Carolina Highway Patrol

August 22, 2005

On behalf of the all the officers at the Neosho Police Department, we send our thoughts and prayers to the family, friends, and fellow Troopers of Corporal Sampietro.

Rest in Peace Brother.

August 22, 2005

We all share the grief of losing one of our brothers yet again this year. God bless the Sampietro family, and may Jay rest in peace.

Captain Matt Hough
Marionville Fire & Rescue

August 22, 2005

Jay,
It has been an honor and a privilege knowing you since the early days at Sikeston. I’ve had the privilege to see you grow from a cadet, to dispatcher, to Public Safety Officer, to Trooper, and beyond. We have shared many good times and I have many fond memories. You have set the standard for the rest of us to follow and I only hope I can come somewhere close. You have touched more lives than you could ever imagine. We all set out to make changes in the world for the better and most leave some small mark where we have helped someone. You left your mark every where you went and with everyone you came in contact with. This was evident at the services on Saturday as the procession moved from the school to the cemetery. People were standing on the roadside crying, holding their hands over their hearts, and most not moving to even wipe away the tears. These people were not caught in traffic, they were there to pay you tribute and honor. You will be missed in the community you lived, the Zones and Troops where you worked, and in the lives and hearts of all who knew you. Rest peaceful brother I will miss you.

Jennifer, Matt, and Will,
My thoughts and prayers will be with you always. Your husband and father was a true hero in every sense of the word.

FTO Tim Bartlett
Sikeston Department of Public Safety, Sikeston, MO

August 22, 2005

Jay,
It has been an honor and a privilege knowing you since the early days at Sikeston. I’ve had the privilege to see you grow from a cadet, to dispatcher, to Public Safety Officer, to Trooper, and beyond. We have shared many good times and I have many fond memories. You have set the standard for the rest of us to follow and I only hope I can come somewhere close. You have touched more lives than you could ever imagine. We all set out to make changes in the world for the better and most leave some small mark where we have helped someone. You left your mark every where you went and with everyone you came in contact with. This was evident at the services on Saturday as the procession moved from the school to the cemetery. People were standing on the roadside crying, holding their hands over their hearts, and most not moving to even wipe away the tears. These people were not caught in traffic, they were there to pay you tribute and honor. You will be missed in the community you lived, the Zones and Troops where you worked, and in the lives and hearts of all who knew you. Rest peaceful brother I will miss you.

Jennifer, Matt, and Will,
My thoughts and prayers will be with you always. Your husband and father was a true hero in every sense of the word.

PSO Tim Bartlett
Sikeston Department of Public Safety

August 22, 2005

On the day that tragedy struck Cpl. Sampietro, his family, friends and the MSHP, I had just done a ride along with Jay two days prior. Jay was a dedicated man who loved his family, friends and occupation more than anything. Jay, you will be deeply missed, my thoughts and prayers are with all who knew him.

Jason Edwards Dispatcher/Vol. Firefighte
Webster Co 911/Southern Webster Co FPD

August 22, 2005

Police are known to be strong, tough, and some say, "We never show our feelings".This is our facade, to do the job we have to do. Because if we didn't care... we would have never became a police officer. "Though no tears run down my cheeks, It's my heart you can't see...that truly weeps...and when I'm alone and out of sight, I will shed my tears for our fallen blue knight's". Rest in peace brother.. God bless you all.

Former officer
Albuquerque Police

August 22, 2005

To the Sampietro Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you during these darkest hours.
"Thank You " is not enough for what Trooper Sampietro, you and your children have sacrificed for our safety and comfort. God Bless

Wife of Springfield Police Officer
Springfield, MO

August 22, 2005

My condolences to the family of Cpl. Sampietro and the MSHP.

Bill Blevins
City of Springfield MO Emergency Communications

August 22, 2005

The Officers, staff and I send our deepest sympathy and will keep you all in our prayers.

Chief Christine Keim
Nevada Police Department

August 22, 2005

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.


Anonymous

Senior Instructor
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

August 22, 2005

The following was sent to a fallen Officer by Jay, it says allot about who he was.

I tell my family on a regular basis that we must all die one day. Should I pass before I'm ninety in my sleep, I can only hope my death is in the service of my community. As much as we will all miss are fallen heros, I can think of no more honorable way to die than in defending the safety and freedom of those we have chosen to serve. All who wear a badge readily accepted the possibility of death in the line of duty. Our families and friends did not necessarly agree to bear the burden of our loss, yet they do. With that in mind, Molly, God rest your soul...you have made the Ultimate Sacrafice in the service of the citizens of Columbia. May you rest proud and peacefully.

Corporal J. A. Sampietro
Missouri State Highway Patrol
2005-02-11

Jay it was an honor to call you a friend. You will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved you. Rest in peace friend.

Officer Mike Hollis
Branson Missouri Police

August 22, 2005

Jay, you were one of a kind, no doubt. The Patrol will forever miss you.

Corporal Dusty Hoffman

August 22, 2005

Rest in Peace Jay.

Its sad to see you gone. You were so proud of your old cruiser, as you spend so much time restoring it. Now it will lead your precession, as you have answered the last call.

RIP, brother. We will take it from here.

Brother Officer
Everett, MA

August 22, 2005

Jay was an incredible person!!!! You would always have a smile on your face when he was around. He would do anything for anyone. He will be missed very much. My thoughts and prayers are with Jennifer and his family.

Communications Officer Tommie Jean Stagg
Sikeston Department of Public Safety

August 22, 2005

I had the privilage to serve with Jay as a volunteer firefighter when the Patrol assigned him to Pemiscot County in 1992. As a young Trooper I will always remember Jay as straight forward, hard working Trooper ready to make a difference. He was a caring person, friendly and loved to play. During a skills competion at the fire station Jay could not accept that the over forty guys had out classed the below forty firefighters. Jay was about 25 at the time. He was a compeditor. We knew better to give him a rematch.

I and everyone who knew Jay are the better for it. Your family are in my prayers. God speed!

Larry LaForge
Nixa Fire Protection District

August 22, 2005

Corporal Sampietro,
Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. You and your family are in our prayers. Rest Easy Brother !

Dep. Paul Sperandeo, Ofc. Amy Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office. Gretna Police Dept. LA

August 21, 2005

Jay
You will be so missed by all of us fellow firefighters at BCFD, I remember fighting fire right beside you, whether i was your hose man or you were mine, we knew we could depend on each other when the time was needed to be there.
I will Fondly remember our times together as We rode around together, fought fire, and just "hung out".
Our lives will be changed forever with your humor, your smile and your infectious humor,
Love and miss you brother
Jim Hager
BCFD 608

Jim Hager
Butler County MO Fire Dept

August 21, 2005

Corporal Sampietro, you are a true hero. Thank you for your service, may your soul rest in peace.

Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland

August 21, 2005

Cpl. Sampietro, your tour of duty is now over, as your brothers and sisters have taken over the watch. Hold your head uo high brother, as you have done your job well. Take your place on Heavens Police Dept, and walk your beat with pride.

To your family, you will always be in our prayers forever as you will always be a part of the family.

Cpl. Sampietro, 10-25 Heaven 1, 10-42.

Ptn. Brad Keiser
Berkeley PD, MO

August 21, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with Cpl. Sampietro's wife, children, family, friends and co-workers. May God bless and comfort you all. Psalm 55:22

Denise Nichols - surviving spouse
Alabama State Trooper Brian K. Nichols EOW 2/17/2002

August 21, 2005

Jay, you are a true hero. Seeing you in action as a police officer, husband, dad and coach has taught me more than any words could have. I will miss our weekly dinner breaks, but during those times I will now sit and reflect upon the examples you left as a dad and officer. Thanks for introducing me to Ol Dollar(what a car) Sorry we didn't get that camping trip in with our boys. You know we all have a dream of growing up and changing our world in a significant way, your dream came true. To Jennifer,Matt and Wil: Jay lived and breathed you. Not a conversation would come up without a story about you guys. He truely did love his family and profession. Our prayers are with you Sampietro family. Rest in peace my brother.

Officer Bruce Washburn
Rogersville Police Department

August 21, 2005