Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Twenty-four years ago on this date at 2331 hrs. , Officer Gary Maas was dispatched to the Greyhound Bus Depot in reference to a report of a child finding a bullet on the bus. A normal routine type call received third party from a representative of Greyhound. Nothing in the call indicated a disturbance of any kind but since it was a bullet and the possibility of someone having a weapon was indicated, a back-up officer was also sent.

Earlier in the evening a confidential Attempt To Locate (ATL) had been given to all law enforcement officers in the area regarding the possibility of two brothers, Donald & Edward Smith, coming to Yuma. The Smith brothers were wanted for a variety of reasons including robbery and homicide. The Yuma Sheriff’s Office had their relative's home under surveillance. Information received indicated the Smiths were traveling in one of their victim's truck and possibly had a scanner to keep track of law enforcement activity. Officer Maas had this information and their descriptions on his roster attached to the dashboard of his patrol car.

After arriving at the bus depot, no other transmissions were received until Officer Chris Crocket, the back-up officer, arrived. He stated there appeared to be a man down in the parking lot and he would be investigating. This turned out to be Donald Smith who had been shot several times by Officer Maas. The next transmission was one no one ever wants to hear, "Officer down, send Rescue." Unbelievably of all the shots fired in that exchange and despite the fact there are several residences in the area, dispatch never received one telephone call reporting shots fired. Nothing indicating anything out of the ordinary was occurring. Edward Smith escaped into the night and was later found in Texas, extradited to Yuma, where he was found guilty of homicide and sent to Florence prison where he is housed today. Then Sgt. D. Rhodes remembered as they conducted a house to house search he spoke with many residents who heard the shots fired. One lady in particular said she heard shots, followed by louder shots (Gary's .357) that made the roof of her house shake. She lived directly east of the depot, was alone at home with several small children and spoke only Spanish. She had no phone and pretty much spent the whole night frightened, because the shots were followed shortly by many sirens.

For those of you who never had the opportunity of knowing Gary, he followed in his dad's footsteps, who retired as a police lieutenant from Horicon, Wisc. Gary firmly believed in always being ready for anything. He was forever running scenarios at Adair gun range in his off duty time, practicing the “what if” situations. He was a man who thought of his co-workers as part of his personal family and looked after them as such. Many times on night shift an officer would check out with a subject and a few minutes later request a back up. Almost instantly you would hear Gary say he was on scene. He took it upon himself to drive by and make sure everyone was OK. He was also pro-active in his work. He would go to the 16th Street overpass, go down to the train tracks, and run subjects he found there. Usually good for a few felony warrants, he would say. He was an outstanding street cop in the full sense of the word. Before anyone ever heard of the term Critical Incident Stress Management, Gary had established our own debriefing session. At 0700 when the shift was over we would go out to breakfast on our "Friday" as a squad. We would take this time to share information, find out what happened on calls, answer questions anyone might have, and just enjoy each other's company. He was instrumental in making us a team.
I was asked to share a few memories of my friend and I want to say he was neither a perfect man nor the example of the perfect officer but he was so humane in his dealings with others. He often expressed his desire to work with kids. He wanted to set an example so they would want to be police officers when they grew up. I would recall this comment as the procession carrying his body to the Civic Center for his memorial service passed Palmcroft School. There lined up in the school yard were all the students holding up signs saying they loved the Yuma Police Dept. and Officer Maas. His impact on our community was felt not only by members of our department and the community itself, but by those officers who traveled here from other communities to pay their respects. Letters were later written stating how impressed they were by the support and respect paid by the citizens of our city to Officer Maas and his family.

I know if Gary could pass on one message to everyone here, it would be that you look out for each other and to always be prepared for the unexpected. His love for police work is reflected on his headstone in Wisconsin..."He died for what he lived for".

Maria Lopez
Retired Dispatch Supervisor - Yuma P.D.

April 9, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

April 9, 2010

I haven't forgotten. Thanks.

Skaggs
YPD

March 23, 2010

Thought about you and your family today. Hope all is well with the family. I check YPD's site often. Bless you and your family. Thanks.

Officer J.R. Skaggs
Yuma Police Department

February 17, 2010

Rest easy Gary and God Bless you. You epitomize the true Blue Knight in all the back-up you've provided to the short handed surrounding agencies, including mine (YCSO 1983-1986), even at the expense of having your management chew you out for being out of your area protecting a fellow officer. You've made me a better sheepdog and defender of the flock. My children know of the good officer you were. You are not forgotten and you never will be.

EAS Tony Martinez
CBP Air & Marine Operations Center

January 28, 2010

Dad,

Its been awhile since I wrote you but alot has been going on. I can't say that it all has been good cuz it hasn't. It got to the point to where I thought I was gonna end up behind bars or six feet under because of those crazy panic attacks I was having, after my brother crashed my car so was stressin about that, and not to mention I was already stressed over school as it was cuz of all the work I had and needed to do, and then my mom tellin me something wasnt right with her heart due to stress and with my bro crashin the car just added more stress to her cuz we are struggling financialy as it was and him crashin my car definitly didnt help either so was worried about my moms health. Well lil by lil everything I was stressing about, like my homework, my car, and my moms health ended up hitting me all at once and thats how I got those crazy panic attacks that I cant really explain exactly how it felt. I mean, what kind of a panic attack do you know that your mind/head shows you with these thoughts/pictures of what and how you need to do to really injure whoever was stressin you out at that very moment and if not then to yourself and in the most brutal way possible? Cuz I dont...It got to the point where I was afraid I was gonna really end up hurting someone or myself. Not to mention, I was scared to even tell anybody about it cuz they would think I was crazy when I'm not. I know if someone told me that I'd think they were crazy too. However, all in all I had about 3 attacks in that week that my brother crashed my car and havent had any since, but also things have been gettin a lil better since then though.

I've been going to school full time (for business still) and my semester ended just last month so very happy about that so I can finally take a break from school and start looking for a job instead so I can get up outta here. I dont wanna live here anymore, so I can start living my life the way I want to without anyone tring to doubt my abilities or goals in life or what I really want to do. I dont care for business, even though I'm really good at it, thats just not my passion or dream. I already wasted alot of time and years tring to make everybody else happy but myself and that needs to change cuz I'll be damned if I get another one of those crazy panic attacks again and the only way I know I can stop that from ever happening again is to live my life the way I want to, and not have someone tring to live my life for me. & believe it or not, So far so good no school, no stress, and just got a job finally so everything is working out according to plan ehhh LOL! I Love You & hope your still around me like you use to be when I was little cuz I need you more now then ever...

Love Always & Forever
Your Lil' Girl,
Leticia Monique Maas

Leticia Maas
Daughter

January 3, 2010

Gary, you still live on in our hearts and thoughts. I hope your family is well. Until we see you again.

AZ Narc

December 4, 2009

I have been looking at the new additions to this website. It serves as a reminder to me about price that has been payed by fallen officers everywhere. I haven't forgotten about that day. I think it is worth mentioning that YPD still honors your memory. An announcement followed by a moment of silence was taken on the anniversary date. I hope your family is doing well. God bless.

Officer J.R. Skaggs
Yuma Police Department

September 1, 2009

Gary,

Rest in peace brother.

Detective Dave Howell
Plano,Texas Police Dept-Auto Theft

April 14, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the twenty-third anniversary 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 who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

To his daughter: I hope you continue to follow your dreams. I hold you in my heart's embrace today.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

April 9, 2009

Patrolman Maas,
On today, the 23rd anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Yuma. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous

April 9, 2009

Sir
You are a true hero, you paid the altimate price saving the people of your community. You will not be forgotten.
To Leticia
I was also wondering about if you went on with your dream, I believe that your father would be very proud of you. You must follow whats in your heart.
When I was growing up I had an uncle who was a police officer and I wanted to follow in his steps. When I finally applied my mother was upset with me and told me she disapproved. Well I became an officer and a short time later she saw how happy I was and the work I was doing she became proud of me. So follow your heart, sometimes not all approve. Also belated B-Day.
Again Sir you will never be forgotten

Mark (Retired WPD)

November 4, 2008

I think of you often. I think of your bravery and your good heart. I have a picture of you hanging in our FIT room at my office. I use it to inpsire the youngsters to train to live. This is only one of the positive impacts you have made in my life. There are to many to list.

Simply put, Thanks Partner....jrs

J.R. SKAGGS
U.S. MARSHALS

July 16, 2008

Rest in Peace, Patrolman Maas. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

May 19, 2008

Thank you to all who have left comments, and check on his page. The world lost a hero that day. Glad to see he is not forgotten, and for all of you that wear a badge, please think of what Gary sacrificed everytime you put on that uniform. Stay safe...

E
nephew

May 16, 2008

I left my first reflection a year ago. I visit this site often. I keep your sacrafice with me when I go on shift and I truly believe it is part of what allows me to go home safe. Thank you and god bless your family and your memory.

Deputy J.R. Skaggs
Yuma Count S.O.

May 11, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

May 1, 2008

We have never forgotten you.

AZ Narc

April 10, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH

April 9, 2008

God bless you and keep you always. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

DE
St. Louis City Police

September 12, 2007

Patrolman Maas:

We share a name and a profession. I was four years old when you were brutally murdered almost 2500 miles away. Even though we are not related by blood, you are still a brother in blue. Rest in peace.

PO Ari Maas
New York City Police Department

August 26, 2007

"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

August 1, 2007

Gary,
There is not a week goes by, that I don't think of that moment in 1986, when I learned of your tragic encounter with Eddie and Donnie Smith.
I had just transferred into CID from Patrol, when the robbery they were suspected of here, occured, putting them on the run.
May God continue to bless you, and watch over your family.
Thank you sir, for your service, and bravery.
It will NEVER be forgotten.

Dave Howell-Detective
Plano,Texas Police Dept-Auto Theft Unit.

July 30, 2007

It has been over 21 years since your EOW and those that love you have not forgotten you as you are in their thoughts every day. You will forever have that special place in their hearts. You are a true hero and heroes never die. Continue to watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

July 8, 2007

I was in high school on the horrible day that you responded to my uncle's behavior on the bus. The day that this happened, we heard of your sacrifice so that others would not have been harmed or killed by them. We cried more for you and your family, than our own. We think of you and your family often. We all carry some quilt for what happened. Our prayers are all with you always. We will never forget. You'll never know how sorry we are.

Donna Watterson
Niece of Donald and Edward Smith

July 2, 2007