The January 8th Memorial
Judge John Roll - Victim
Symbols by artist Rebeca Méndez
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Swimming
Swam daily at the YMCA / Favorite stroke was butterfly / Taught his grandchildren to swim
John would wake up at 5 am, read the bible, take the dog for a walk, go for a swim at the YMCA and swim his favorite stroke the butterfly. Then he’d wake up Maureen with coffee and the Arizona Daily Star. He taught his grandkids how to swim.
Gavel
Chief US Federal Judge for Arizona / John M. Roll U.S. Courthouse in Yuma / Widely respected jurist
Judge John Roll served the U.S. legal system for 40 years, culminating in 1991 in the appointment as a District Judge on the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. In 2006 he became the Chief Justice of that Court. He wrote 850 opinions in his career. The federal courthouse in Yuma, opened in 2013, is named John M. Roll United States Courthouse.
Celtic Cross
Irish origin / Man of faith / Attended daily mass
John was of Irish origin. A roman catholic, he attended mass every day. A down to earth man not interested in material means. In the parish he attended he never told anyone he was a federal judge. His faith grounded him, underlined everything he did, always helping people, treating everyone fair and right.
Scroll and Quill
Revered the constitution / Proud of American democracy / Respect and dignity for all
Judge John Roll strived in his life to treat each person with dignity and respect. He loved America and was proud of its tradition of democracy. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization committed to charitable services and patriotism. He was a man of duty devoted to upholding the constitution.
Music
Always listening to music / Eclectic taste / Loved his ipod
“The first thing John always did when we got into the car, was put music on,” recalls Maureen Roll. “He was always listening, when we went to bed at night, and throughout the day, to an eclectic variety of fifties and sixties rock, and from country to classical. Once the iPod came out he was set. He once asked me what “our song” was. I said: John we don’t have one, we have about 500!”
Family
Married to Maureen for 38 years / 3 sons / 5 grandchildren
John was married to Maureen for 38 years, father of three sons and grandfather to five. He loved road trips and camping along the way. He coached his sons’ baseball team. He would send them letters with life wisdom. His oldest son Robert recalls one: “Life is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. There may be rough times and there may be good times, but you always need to move forward and keep your faith in God.”
Hummingbird
Triple A energy / An omen received from the bird / A sign 'papa is in heaven'
In the hours of shock and grief after the death of John, as the family gathered outside at the Roll home, a hummingbird fell from the sky. The family put it in a towel and held it until it revived and flew to the spot where the children were gathered. A grandchild interpreted the unusual event as a sign that “Papa is in heaven.” Maureen felt it was John telling her he was okay. He had that same triple A energy of a hummingbird.
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