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Hundreds gather to remember Stafford deputy
Family was the focus of all who spoke at the funeral of Stafford Sheriff's Deputy Jason Edward Mooney today. The 24- year-old, who was a member of so many different service organizations, was a family member to each of them, speakers told the crowded church.
“It’s not how these officers died that made them heroes, its how they lived,” Sheriff Charlie Jett told Mooney’s family and friends. “At 24 years of age, this young man had his priorities in order. Jason packed in more living in 24 years than most of us in a lifetime.” Mooney graduated from Colonial Forge High School in 2002 and went into the U.S. Marines. After a tour in Iraq, he worked for the Prince William Fire Department. He then became a sheriff’s deputy for Stafford and worked for Stafford Fire and Rescue at the same time. He died Friday in a car accident on Interstate 95 while he was responding to a call about another crash. Chief John McDonald of Stafford Fire and Rescue told the audience stories that members of his agency shared. They showed the funny side of their friend and “brother.” He spoke about Mooney being the first on a scene of a fire call, which he responded to by leaving court in Stafford in his role as deputy and working as a firefighter on the scene. “After it was over, he took his fire uniform off and he’s a got a deputy uniform on underneath it,” he said, drawing the first laughter of the day from the crowd. Jett also talked about how Mooney mastered both roles. He said in recent weeks, a sergeant had to speak with Mooney for signing out of work three minutes early from his 11-and-half-hour shift. But when questioned as to whether he went home early, he said he signed out to change into his fire clothing and respond to a call. “I think Jason has a little Superman in him,” he said. Mooney’s grandfather and church deacon, Daniel Terrion, spoke as part of the service about how Mooney was not only his family, but was family of everyone in attendance. “It’s the little things you give your life for,” Terrion said. “One day at a time, one call at a time and you don’t know when it’s going to be your last call. It cost him his life to serve in the menial things.”
The procession of fire trucks, police cars, police motorcycles and other vehicles took about a half-hour as vehicles made their way to the burial site at Oak Hill Cemetery about a mile away. Reported by Ellen Biltz: 540/374-5424 ebiltz@freelancestar.com
We mourn the loss of this young man who gave so much of himself to Country and Community.However, I hope we remain proud of what he did and for whom he served. My prayers to the Stafford County Sherrif's department, as well as his friends and his family. Grieve for our loss, but remain proud. There are many of us that could only hope to live and die as honorably as Jason Mooney has. May his soul rest in peace.
When I am called to duty, God
Wherever flames may rage
Give me the strength to save some life
Whatever be its age
Help me embrace a little child
Before it is too late
Or save an older person from
The horror of that fate
Enable me to be alert and
Hear the weakest shout
And quickly and efficiently
To put the fire out
I want to fill my calling and
To give the best in me
To guard my every neighbor
And protect their property
And if according to your will
I have to lose my life
Please bless with
When I start my tour of duty God, Wherever crime may be, as I walk the darkened streets alone, Let me be close to thee. Please give me understanding with both the young and old. Let me listen with attention until their story's told. Let me never make a judgment in a rash or callous way, but let me hold my patience let each man have his say. Lord if some dark and dreary night, I must give my life, Lord, with your everlasting love protect my children and my wife. Rest in Peace Sheriff's Deputy Mooney,
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