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Show , f '.. " , " ' " X ' f . : r - ' ' f I ' ' ' y . ' . f . ' I ; ' - - ? ' X ' r ? 1 ' . ' ' I : ' ' ; , , - ; t - ,- . ' ' ! ! ,..-. - t """""" f . -t " ' " ' J " M i ..: ' i Four young sons of slain Garfield County Sheriffs Deputy Dave Jones, the officer's three brothers and a nephew, escorted the coffin down a makeshift "Corridor Of Hundreds Mourn And Honor Garfield County Deputy Sheriff ESCALANTE There were no dry eyes in the chapel after all four sons of slain Garfield County Deputy Dave Jones had paid tribute to their special "hero" dad, as funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 30 at the Escalante LDS Stake Center. The task was probably one of the hardest in their young lives, but each had tender special Honor" which was formed by all the law enforcement personnel standing at attention atten-tion in a final salute to their final fallen police brother. memories to share. Each family member and friend who spoke at Friday's funeral openly shared their intimate recollections recollec-tions and that special "spark" of humor Jones had obviously passed on to, or shared with, many in his family. The day itself was impressive, impres-sive, and had it not been his own funeral, it was an event that would have inspired and awed Dave Jones as well, who loved his life as a "cop." He was eager, professional, and highly driven to perform his duties and make his cases. It was that attention to detail wearing a personal tape recorder on his belt that may likely bring his accused slayer to justice. He would have loved the pageantry Friday, the sheer awesome awe-some sight of over 300 motorcycle motorcy-cle and police vehicles, emergency emer-gency vehicles, all gathered to pay tribute to a fallen brother. The unseasonal warmth of the day was surpassed only by the warmth of the love and compassion compas-sion demonstrated by fellow officers and loved ones of his family. A number of dignitaries were honored to attend the special services including representatives representa-tives of the state Utah Lt. Governor Olene Walker and Utah Attorney General Mark (See HONORED on page 4A) Hundreds Mourn And Honor Garfield County Deputy Sheriff From Front Page Shurtleff, Commissioner of the Utah Highway Patrol Bob Flowers and Larry W. Orton; Chief of Police for Salt Lake City Rick Dinse; representatives from the Department of Corrections, John Graff, Michael Olenslager and J. L. Barton and IronGarfield County Task Force Representative Representa-tive David Excell, also an investigator inves-tigator in the case. Garfield County Commissioners were in attendance as well as Escalante Mayor Lenza Wilson and several sever-al former deputies for Garfield County who had gone on to other assignments. Elder Don J. Butler specially represented the General Authorities and leadership leader-ship of the LDS church. Motorcade Procession They came from every realm of law enforcement across the states of Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Idaho and Arizona. They came from over 30 cities and 15 counties across the state. There were security guards at universities, narcotics officers, police, sheriffs, deputies, highway high-way patrol troopers, canine units, motorcycle units, detectives, detec-tives, wildlife officers, EMT's, fire fighters, state and federal officers ... the list could go on and on. As . they descended on Panguitch and Escalante Thursday evening and Friday morning prior to the funeral services, local communities had not only a heightened sense of ease and protection with so much law enforcement around, they also had a heightened sense of awareness to obey the laws of the land. Primarily, however, there was a heightened sense of loss - loss of an officer, a friend, a neighbor, a cherished family member, the depth of which only the family could know and endure. The motorcade on Friday morning, led by Sheriff Than Cooper in his familiar dark blue Tahoe, proceeded out of Panguitch with the impressive precision of the motorcycle unit, followed by miles of matching police units and related emergency emer-gency medical and fire fighting units. As they sped through the county with Utah Highway Patrol troopers at each major road intersection to cordon off traffic, community after community com-munity turned out on the roadsides road-sides with flags and signs of both encouragement and grief. Printed words of encouragement saying Thank You; Serve, Protect and Defend; We Appreciate You, We Love You and words specific for the slain officer, Our Hero, Dave; Thank You Officer Jones. They were clean cut, sharp, ' color-coordinated, and professional, profes-sional, the fellow public servants ser-vants who came to pay respect, but more than that, they were brothers, and sisters, coming to pay final tribute to one of their own. Funeral Services Military Rites Condolences and words of sympathy were passed along by Arnold Alvey of Escalante American Legion Post 1 14 as he introduced his own unit members mem-bers posting colors at the service. serv-ice. Alvey was joined by Vernon Spencer, Blaine Liston, Lee Davis, Cal Porter, Wade Barney, Al Barlow, Marion Spencer, Jaris Lyle, Jerry Roundy, Crockett Dumas, Jens Munthe, Garth Noyes and Marvin Porter. Those colors were retired and the American flag ceremoniously ceremonious-ly folded and presented to Dave Jones' widow Carolyn Jones, by members of the Garfield County Sheriff's department at the conclusion con-clusion of the service. A single bagpipe player, Dave Mclntyre of the Cedar City Police Department, followed fol-lowed by the Escalante LDS Stake Presidency and Bishopric with Reed Munson, Myron Cottam, Klin Chynoweth and Tracy Esplin, led the procession from the chapel to the hearse for the trip to Orem City Cemetery for burial rites and service on the following day. Funeral Program Fairly newly installed Escalante Bishop Jeff Rex officiated offi-ciated over the lengthy funeral on Friday. Viewing ran solidly from 10:30 a.m. until 1, with many of the local families visiting visit-ing on the previous Thursday evening, anticipating the influx of law enforcement officers on Friday. Sisters Share Memories and Tributes Carol Roberts An older sister, Carol Roberts, separated from younger brother Dave by 11 years, was the first to open the memorial program. Beginning with "this is really tough" but "I'm going to do it for Dave." She noted that "the apple does not fall far from the tree" pointing out how brother Dave had the determination and fortitude forti-tude of his forefathers. He was an excellent marksman. His father served in the Idaho National Guard, at Pearl and in Korea. He was a Command Sgt. Major with 23 years active duty. His mother was in the 101st Air Wacs, two brothers also served, along with three of the Jones' sons. She stated that "Dave had a desire to stand for what was right and true." Roberts extended extend-ed a personal thank you for the honor and respect paid their family and David and was grateful grate-ful Dave was a part of the law enforcement family. Merry Reed Merry explained that both she and Dave were the "youngest" Jones children with lots in common. Her favorite reference for him growing up was "brat" so she thought she might transfer that now to Dave's oldest son, Brian. She recalled Dave's "cool aviator sunglasses," and recounted favorite camping trips and Christmas party memories. She noted how Dave tried hard to make certain everyone had a great time at family events. She would always remember his sense of humor and love of fam-ily. fam-ily. Jody Jones Not scheduled to speak but moved by her sisters memories, Jody recounted of how she and Dave talked about once again going on LDS missions when they retired. She said, David got his wish for that later in life mission, "he just went a little early." Paula Lindsay The eldest sister, Paula shared that baby brother Dave was not supposed' to go before her! She had recently visited and stayed with Dave and Carolyn and been taken on a trip down gorgeous Hells Backbone. Paula had expressed her concern about Dave's career choice in law enforcement and Dave had responded that this was something some-thing he had to do. And that he would be a good cop. But, she says, now I can't take with my brother like before. She noted that Dave had a choice to make, he could have cowered but he faced up to it, he was brave and did what he had to do. "I'm very pleased with David. He brought honor to our family, his church, law enforcement enforce-ment and every man alike." Law Enforcement Spokesman Sheriff Than Cooper Sheriff Cooper expressed that he was "honored to pay tribute to a wonderful friend and fellow officer." He noted that the name of Deputy Dave Jones would be included now on the Monument of Fallen Officers in Washington, D.C. This was a tribute for "how these men lived, not how they died." Sheriff Cooper remarked that in all the years he had interviewed inter-viewed applicants for county deputy jobs, he never in his career had seen anyone more excited to hear he got the job than Jones. He had wanted so badly to leave city life and serve in a small rural community. Cooper shared that whatever Jones did, he did it "with his whole heart." His POST academic aca-demic scores were impressive and he always did his best when called upon. He was a great backup officer, prompt and brought out the best in everyone. every-one. He was very much a team player. Cooper was impressed with Dave's willingness to learn. He was always on the internet find- ing trainings well in advance. He was an exceptional family man, a wonderful family man. Sheriff Cooper passed on his gratefulness to all the law enforcement entities represented represent-ed for their overwhelming help and support throughout this ordeal. Sons Share Their Thoughts of Dad Robert William Jones Third son, Robert, 17, a junior jun-ior at Escalante High School, summed it up for so many in attendance by saying his dad was a "super hero" to him. "And when super heroes die, they become legends." And his dad was the stuff legends are made of. He was a "great man." "He always told me I had great talents too, he just didn't say which ones they were. So I guess I better keep doing them all," was Robert's loving conclusion. con-clusion. Brian Andrew Jones Oldest son, Brian, 22, now attached to the 101st Airborne stationed at Fort Campbell, KY said "his dad tried hard to keep him out of the Army." Dad said if he would have had one more boy, he could have had a basketball basket-ball team. But little sis, Sarah, was his "little girl." Brian remembered fondly when dad found out he got the deputy job in Escalante. We heard about it for weeks. One of his best memories was the last trip down to Escalante back in October. He and his dad visited all their favorite spots. Brian shared how his dad "loved his job and touched lots of peoples lives." Paul Thomas Jones Obviously gifted with some of his dad's sense of humor, son, Paul Thomas turned 21 last week and is the only married child in the family. He shared with officers his excessive speed coming into Escalante for the funeral but noting the "numbers "num-bers of sets of handcuffs" in the room he decided not to share further. He noted his dad was a humble hum-ble man, his folks didn't have a lavish home or material posses- sions but his family had lots of love. He recalled how he called his dad the previous Friday to share he finally had been taken off the family insurance and was not holding his own. They were both proud. He said, my dad tried to make this a better place. He knew all the kids by name and had a love for the people of this town. He had immense integrity and character. char-acter. He was honest and always faithful, not afraid of death. He were here he would say, quit fussing over me. Jacob Samuel Jones Youngest son, Jacob had also not been scheduled to speak but what a trooper. He recalled how dad loved their dog, Sadie, saying say-ing whether the dog was dumb, smart or silly. He said dad wanted a hug every day, then when you gave him one, he would want another one for the next day. "He played with me a lot and would always come to church with me." Important memories was a young man. "He loved me a whole ton!" Tributes Escalante LDS Bishop Jeff Rex Rex read a letter addressed to the family from the LDS First Presidency. He noted that he had only been in this position in the ward as bishop for three months. But Officer Dave Jones was a man he did get to know and he knew Dave had a testimony testi-mony of the gospel. Elder Donald J. Butler Elder Butler, who was a member of the Areas Seventy South, was honored to be representing repre-senting the First Presidency. He recounted how he grew up in a similar small community and noted how local law enforcement enforce-ment had been his idols early on. Butler expressed his condolences condo-lences to the family and remarked how Jones "had lived the gospel and served a mission for the LDS church. He was in an honorable profession and exemplified the Savior and showed all of us he knew who he was." |