Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It's been three years Jay since you were taken from us. It's been a hard three years. I think of you, Jen and the boys daily. We miss you buddy.

Lt. Dennis R. Irwin
Sikeston DPS

August 17, 2008

Jay, after nearly three years it still hurts to know you're gone. You see, Jay, i never really told you when you were still here but i considered you more than just a work buddy. You were and still are the example of the officer I want to be. I find myself wondering from time to time both on the job and off "well, Ben, what would Jay do in this situation?"
I've heard it said that the measure of a man's wealth is the people who miss him when he's gone. If that's so you are truly the richest man i've ever known.
I want to say thank you for the laughs you shared, the insight you freely gave, and the guidance you never knew you provided.

Lt Ben Matthews
Rockaway Beach Police Department

August 8, 2008

This time of year (your birthday, the rodeo and the anniversary of your death) always makes me think about you more than normal, which is quite a bit already.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Love ya forever,
Karen

June 26, 2008

Happy Birthday Jay. Still thinking of you daily and miss you very much.

June 26, 2008

Well, Jay, you were always encouraging me to follow my dreams and to above all, put my family first. I just wanted to let you know that I took your advice. I'm engaged to the most wonderful woman I've ever known. She has a heart for serving and helping others just as you and I did. I know you would like her and I would gain your approval. I'm also gonna be a father here in a few months! I know its shocking, but its true! I owe my new family to you my friend because you always encouraged me "strive for your goals" and "never give up." Thank you for instilling those words in my life! You are truly a friend. I love you buddy! Thanks again!

Corporal
Fordland Police Department

March 1, 2008

We still think of you and your family often. We miss you dearly.

January 22, 2008

"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

December 6, 2007

Though I never had the chance to meet you, I thank you for your service. God Bless

Sergeant Brian Sells
Republic Police Dept

October 25, 2007

Dear Jay: It's been two years and I still can't believe you're gone. I know you're in a better place, and I know God had a plan in taking you home, but I can't talk about you or reminisce about you without losing my emotions. You were a friend and a brother from the first time I met you. If I needed backup, you were there before anyone else. In my own time of personal crisis you offered the words that helped me through. I will always miss you and our great talks. We had a lot of laughs, and we took a lot of bad guys to jail. I know that one day we will patrol the streets paved of gold together. Thank you for being a friend, a brother in arms, and a gentleman whom I may always say it was an honor to know. I'll see you again one day my friend. <><

Officer Allen Layton
Bureau of Prisons - USMCFP Springfield

October 11, 2007

Hey Jay. It's me. I never wrote anything on here because I thought it was just to hard, but today is different. Today another officer was killed and it brought me back to that day. My heart hurts for his family. To know that they will go through what Jen, Matt and Will went through and are still living through just makes me mad. Why?! We will never know until we see you again. We all miss you so much. I know every day is a struggle for Jen, but she just keeps moving. You truly have an amazing family. Your children are truly blessed to have such a great mom! Amy and I promise to always be there, no matter what they need. I know you are watching and protecting, just as you did down here. Can't wait to see you again, but until then I'll just hope for a shooting star.

Jodi

Jodi

October 7, 2007

I'm a Research Editor for a News Monitoring service and today, in my daily grind, a clip contained the commercial with your wife. Being the woman behind a badge myself, it stopped me in my tracks and I had to stop and watch it. It almost brought me to tears, but I held it together seeing as how I was working. I just wanted those who love you to know that you are not forgotten and every day someone new is learning about your sacrifice. Today it was me. We lost Peter in 2005 as well. I know your pain to the deepest level that I can, but not deep enough, never deep enough, because I was not Peter's wife, just his friend. I thank you for service and sacrifice. I hope that God continues to wrap His arms around those who miss you and need it most.

LEO Wife, and one of many survivors of Peter Grignon EOW 3/23/05

September 27, 2007

Fallen Friend

June 26,1969-August 17,2005

Corporal John Anthony "Jay" Sampietro

a Missouri state trooper everyone should have known.

He was taken from this world one horrible day.

He will never be forgotten no how, no way.



I miss my colleague, a trooper, my friend.

Each day I ask why your life had to end.

You were a husband, a son, a dad.

The day you were killed I was oh so sad.



You taught me everything I know.

You guided and mentored me helping me to grow.

You were the best trooper around

on every highway and throughout every town.



I stood watch outside your home

while your wife, your widow, slept inside alone.

You left behind your two sons, Matt and Will.

I miss you my friend, I miss you still.



As we followed that white hearse to your grave that day

your first patrol car "Old Dollar" proudly led the way.

The line of patrol cars stretched for miles and miles.

There was sadness and tears without any smiles.



People pulled over and let us pass by.

My sadness no longer could I hide.

People saluted you as we passed

and I prayed the sorrow would not last.



You had officers and troopers from coast to coast

that came to mourn and not to boast.

Many came to mourn our loss

with your life you paid a ghastly cost.



As we stood by your grave on that horrible day

all I could do was cry and pray.

I looked up and saw those helicopters flyin.

I saw one fly off and again I started cryin.

The twenty-one gun salute took my breath away.

A little more of me died there that day.



Even though you are no longer here, your legacy lives on.

In our hearts and lives it will remain strong.

You are truely missed in the sky and on shore.

You will always be remembered

584

Deputy Joshua Burris
Webster County Sheriff's Department

September 18, 2007

YOU KNOW I SIT HERE THINK TWO YEARS AFTER YOU WERE CALLED HOME JAY, I WONDER WHY... A GOOD FRIEND, GOOD FATHER AND GOOD OFFICER WERE ALL LOST IN THE LOSS OF JAY. JAY WAS A FRIEND OF MY FATHER AND THEN BECAME A FRIEND OF MINE AS I GREW IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FIELD. I THINK BACK TO A BAD SITUATION I WAS INVOLVED WITH IN APRIL 2007. I HAD A SUBJECT TRYING TO GET A GUN WHILE I WAS TRYING TO KEEP HIM AWAY. THE ONLY REASON I BELIEVE I WAS NOT INJURIED IS BECASUE I HAD JAY WATCHING OVER ME.

ANOTHER RODEO HAS PASSED AND I WALKED BY THE STONE THAT WAS PLACED IN THE MEMORY OF JAY AND I STILL TEAR UP. THEY SAY MEN DONT CRY BUT WHEN YOU LOSE A BROTHER I DO. WE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN BROTHERS BY BLOOD BY BROTHERS IN BLUE.

YOU ARE MISSED GREATLY......

PUBLIC SAFETY OFFCIER
SIKESTON DPS

September 12, 2007

Still missing you buddy.

George Nettleton
friend

August 31, 2007

well here we are at two years. We miss you. the boys are growing. Jenn is doing a great job with the boys she tells them stories about you every day. The boys look and act like you we sit and watch them thinking we are looking at a little Jay, whoa help us we have two more of you! I would give anything if you could be here to see the boys grow up and become a man like their daddy. love ya
I will kiss the boys an extra kiss tonight for you.

August 17, 2007

Bird,

I've really been thinking about you today, as I do every day for two years now. We really miss you.

Pig
Friend

August 17, 2007

Miss ya buddy.

August 17, 2007

Can't believe it's been two years today. I still look for you to walk through the front door with the mail relay, grab a cup of coffee and tell us a story.

Eric
MSHP

August 17, 2007

Corporal Sampietro,
Today is the second anniversary since you were called home. My thoughts are with your family and friends as they remember the dedicated and committed man you were.

Pennsylvania citizen

August 17, 2007

Happy Birthday Jay. We still think of you daily & miss you very much.

FTO Tim Bartlett & family
Sikeston DPS

June 26, 2007

Happy Birthday! We all wish you were here to celebrate your 38th birthday with US! We all miss you!

June 26, 2007

I got to work a short time with Corporal Jay Sampietro through Rogersville police department when i was a Reserve officer there fresh out of the academy. Even though i did not get to know him well the few short times we worked together i could see that he loved his job and helping people. He touched many people and will be dearly missed.

Corporal Corey Arnold
Christian County Sheriffs Dept.

May 19, 2007

Hey Jay,
It's been almost 2 years now and it is still very hard to believe. There isn't a day goes by that we don't think or speak of you.
I still visit with Jennifer, Matt and Will every chance I get and love our visits.
Matt and Will are fine boys and will grow up to remember their dad. Jennifer is doing a fine job with the boys and teaching them what their daddy was all about and the love that you shared with them everyday.
I am very honored to have gotten to know you and your family.
RPD 753

jeannie RPD 753
Rogersville

May 7, 2007

Time has past and you are still in our thoughts and discussions around the lunch room table at the office..your dedication to serve and protect the citizens of the ShowMe State and all of those that pass through will never be forgotten...your wife, two boys, parents, family, and friends are still in our prayers. Standing on his Promise..GOD BLESS...

J. Lejeune MO. Probation and Parole
Wife of MO. State Trooper

March 14, 2007

Jay, I still laugh every time I proof read one of my reports and see the word "that" used too many times, and your picture hangs on my police car sun visor as a reminder of a decade of fun.

Carlos Kerley Jr
Springfield PD

February 3, 2007