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MARION, N.C. – US Forest Officer Jason Crisp and K9 Maros were remembered Monday inside the McDowell County High School gymnasium. Β Hundreds of civilians and law enforcement were there, as well as North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory. Β There was also a touching tribute by area K9 units. Β Dozens of dogs filed past the American flag-draped casket that held Crisp and Maros together.Β
Crisp’s widow, Amanda, and the couple’s two sons smiled and laughed through the tears as Crisp’s best friends and colleagues told light-hearted stories, one about about how often the two were together. Β Officer Wade Keener said with a smile, “People would come up to me and say, ‘Where’s your wife at?’ And before I had a wife, I knew who they were talking about.”Β
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Officer Kevin Woodall said with a straight face, “I think I feel Jason’s presence today with us here and I know Jason would be telling me right now, ‘just look out into the crowd and imagine everybody naked.'”Β
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Crisp’s friends, family and pastor remember him as a compassionate man who would regularly check to make sure his colleagues were wearing their bullet proof vests. Β Rev. Charles Dicks says, “We don’t have very many men of the caliber of Jason in our midst anymore.”Β
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Crisp and Maros were killed last Wednesday during the manhunt for a then-double murder suspect. Β Pastor Ross Lewis says Crisp, a man committed to his family and his faith, died doing the job he loved to do. Β Lewis says, “The Lord did not leave him. Β That evening, the Lord just took him home.”Β
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Crisp’s widow and children received memorial flags during Monday’s service. Β When one officer stooped to present a flag to the youngest Crisp boy, the crowd inside this gymnasium wept. Keener said as he choked back tears, “He’s the absolute best friend I ever had. Β And I’m gonna miss him and I love him. Thank you for showing up. Β I’m sure he’d appreciate it.”
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38-year-old Crisp served in law enforcement for 17 years. Β He was buried in a private service.Β
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