Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I am a School Resource Officer in Wickenburg, AZ and I only know of the life and service of DPS Officer Christopher Marano because 3 of his 4 daughters are students in our school District, Saleen and Savanna are in high school and Bella is at our middle school. I recently met Bella and Christopher's widow, Shelly at one of Saleen's Volleyball games. Shelly is working as a K-9 handler for a hospital system and the girls are wonderful, very involved in school, Sananna is active in our Police Explorer unit.

I didn't know Bella when I first met her a the Volleyball game when she bounced down from the bleachers when she saw me in uniform and came right over and thanked me for my service. I thanked her for her support and she continued to come back and tell me her name and we became friends. She then introduced me to her mom and that is when I learned that she was Savanna and Saleen's sister. It all became clear at that point why she had picked me out and why she was so friendly. Bella is Italian for beautiful and the name befits her.

I'm writing this reflection so that Christopher, and his fellow DPS officers and friends, may somehow learn about the love and beauty of the family he left behind. As an SRO in their schools, I am looking over them with admiration.

Joe LaheyOfc. SRO
Wickenburg Police Dept.

November 10, 2020

Officer Marana,
On today, the 10th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Arizona. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

December 17, 2019

Chris,

I just met your family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the COPS Kids Camp. It was a honor to be able to interact with them, you have alot to be proud of! I look forward to seeing them again next July when they return to the Badger state. We forever have your six Chris. Godspeed brother.

Officer Brandon Kehoe
Sheboygan Police Department

July 23, 2017

As I prepair for this coming Fallen Officer memorial I finnaly have peace enough to post this. I regret its taken almost 5 years to get to this point, your departure from this plane of exsistance to the next I think was harder to deal with then I could admit to my self. Over the last 5 years God drove it more concrete into my spirit that though a man dies if he believed in him and called upon his name yet would he live. Not just in heaven but also in a new tangalbe body when all the departed in Jesus returns to this Earth and present plane of exsistence. Because of this Chris I know you live, I saw the change in you after that night a few weeks before you departed, you were definately not the same and I hold the hope you made every thing right in your heart with Jesus. I'm also excited because the end time prophcies are here in grater frequency and the awaited time is soon at hand, what a reunion its going to be.

Officer Dalin Dorris
AZ DPS

May 3, 2014

Officer Marano,
Thank you for keeping the people in Arizona safe. Putting your life on the line just to lay out a spike strip was a great thing you did. The car that your fellow officers were chasing could've hurt a lot of people. Thank to you and the officers it did not. Hope to see you up there. Thank you!

Student, Alex Penning
Mission Hills High School

April 28, 2014

To Officer Marano's Family,
My thoughts and prayers continue for God to watch over you and your children. I recently saw you (Shelly) on TV volunteering with the 100 Club for a recent fallen Phoenix Officer PD and I admire you and your strength. You know first hand what it is like to lose a husband in the line of duty.
My brother, DPS Officer Lopez- who was involved with this terrible accident also suffered a great deal with the loss of Chris and what this did to your family. With love and support from friends and family, he is much better and I know that Chris is watching and protecting him and all the other patrolmen/women. Your husband is not and will never be forgotten. God Bless you Shelly, your children, and to our law enforcement community.

Marcella Lopez-Crane
Private Citizen

March 11, 2014

My heart aches as I read all of the reflections. I'm sorry I didnt call more often. I feel like a terrible friend. I was looking you up to see if you would come out and be a groomsman at my wedding. Telling the story about how our shennanigans got us in a whole heap of trouble is still one of my favorites. I've always thought about calling or looking you up over the years, between raising my family and going to war I didnt find the time. I hope you will forgive me.

Untill we meet again.

SGT Christopher A. Ray, Sr.
USA

March 6, 2013

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

January 28, 2013

God bless

Officer J. Jaynes
Arizona Highway Patrol

January 20, 2013

You are missed around here, I am here to take over and guide these 3 beautiful daughters of yours in the right direction. Chris I promise to try and be as good a father as you were. You will always be remembered in this house. I will protect these 4 girls with everything i am.

COII
AZ DOC

December 27, 2012

Miss ya Brother; hard to believe its been 3 years since you left us. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you and the "good ole days" (especially the fun times overseas). Actually spent some time cracking up about the antics we got involved in at Capo, Agnano, and Carney Park (that was a good one) with Jason earlier this morning; LOL good times man, good times! Rest Easy Bro; I'll see you again one day, not too soon, but one day.

Cpl. Matthew Catherwood
Bethesda, MD/Friend/Brother in Arms

December 17, 2012

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

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

December 17, 2012

Hey Chris, you are on my mind today as I unexpectedly ran across a picture of you from high school... Brings me back to the night I met you - what a fun time! You certainly are missed.

Kelly Roering
Old friend

February 28, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the second anniversary year of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I pray for solace for all those who miss and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.
Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

December 17, 2011

I meant to type 2nd Anniversary as we are entering the 3rd year since you were taken; what can I say its been a long night LOL. Anyway my Brother Rest Easy and thank you again for being with me tonight.

Matt

Cpl. Matthew Catherwood
Bethesda, MD

December 17, 2011

Hey Bro,

Close call for me tonight on the 3rd Anniversary of your death, thank God and you for being with me. I know you helped me stay calm and get things handled with no worries or injuries to anyone involved. I love ya Bro but I'm not quite ready to see you again just yet. I know you understand. Thank you for keeping the Watch over me and our Brothers from Heaven's Gates. Miss you buddy.

~Matt

Cpl. Matthew Catherwood
Bethesda, MD

December 17, 2011

Chris,

I just heard the news about the trial - I am elated! It doesn't bring you back but at least your family can now start to fully heal. I wish I could send a note to Shelly to congratulate and support - this is a very bittersweet time. Know that you are in all of our thoughts and prayers, and that you are missed dearly!

Kelly Roering
Old friend

September 30, 2011

Just wanted to say that it was a honer to be on the jury. I love and think of both of you Shelly and Officer Lopez for the strength and courage that u are showing to other. God blessed u both.

Lucy Fala
I was #12 oe of the jury that find the suspect at fault.

September 23, 2011

Well, they found her guilty on all counts thankfully!! Miss you Brother!!!

~Matt

Cpl Matt Catherwood
Bethesda, MD

September 20, 2011

Rest in Eternal Peace dear brother. Condolences to the family and PD of this honorable officer. Thank you for your service to protect and serve. God bless all.

Margaret Hood / Ret'd / NLEODM/Supporter
Citizens Watch

September 20, 2011

RIP Brother, glad to hear that justice has been served. Now I hope the dirt bag has slow painful death followed by eternity in hell.

Andrew Grayson Det. Ret.
Green Township Cincinnati, Ohio

September 20, 2011

I pray you have pace and rest in the arms of God, you have run the race, you have given your ultimate, now therefore there is laid up for you in heaven..treasures which nothing can destroy. I pray this day some peace and closure comes to your family as the one responsible was found guilty of this horrible crime. Thanks for your dedication and sacrifice.

Retired Police Officer Bob Lester
Midland Texas Police Department

September 20, 2011

I just moved to Buckeye, AZ last may. NEVER in my right mind would I have been turning on the TV to see one of my higher ups I served with on the TV and passed away. You were a VERY intelligent man and I salute you to this day. I sure hope you wife, children, family, and friends have closure with todays judgement! Im still in shock and im sorry if I sound weird in this letter, but im sorry for what has happened. Im truly sorry you were not able to lead your legacy of leadership. Dont worry though, I still remember you yelling at me =) I hope where you are you can see you beautiful family grow. Im honored and proud to have served with you. I hope, if you see ABE1 Chase up there, you give him a high 5 for me!

ABE3 Samai Butler
USS NIMITZ Shipmate

September 16, 2011

Thought about you this week... Was talking to one of the guys about how we should have retired your call sign. Just doesn't seem right to hear someone use it and it not be your voice. Miss ya bud, still hoping you save me a good spot up there. And happy belated birthday.

Trooper 6790
AZ Highway Patrol

August 20, 2011

Happy 30th birthday, Chris. You have been on my mind, as well as Shelly and the girls - I hope they are doing well (as well as they can through everything). I ran across an old picture of you from high school and it made me think of the fun we had - hard to believe that was so long ago now. It's hard to believe that you are gone. Rest in peace and keep watching over your friends and family - you are missed more than words can describe.

Kelly Roering
Old Friend

August 16, 2011