This flame will burn in memory of John for all eternity
Hampshire County Sheriff Deputy John William Rotz, age 25, was killed in a two-vehicle accident early Tuesday morning on U.S. Route 50 three miles east of Augusta, according to a West Virginia State Police news release.
The police release stated that Deputy Rotz, who was off duty and driving his personal vehicle, apparently lost control while negotiating a right hand turn and crossed into the west bound lane where the 1992 Geo Storm struck a 1996 Kenworth tractor trailer head on. The report stated that Deputy Rotz was apparently killed on impact. The time of the accident was listed on the police news release as 2:09 a.m.
The tractor trailer was driven by Joseph Foster, age 54, of Burlington, W.Va.
The report noted that the roads were slick at the time of the accident with light snow falling.
State Police Trooper C.C. Wathen investigated the accident and was assisted by Sgt. D.B. Burkhart.
The family will receive friends Thursday, December 23 at McKee Funeral Home, Augusta, from 7-9 p.m. A service will be conducted Friday, December 24, at 11 a.m., in the funeral home chapel. A graveside service will be conducted Monday, December 27, at 2 p.m., in the Parklawns Memorial Garden, Chambersburg, Pa.
The above was taken from the Hampshire Review web page. What this report doesn't tell you is that John Rotz was a very pleasant young man who was well thought of by all who knew him. He was an active member of the community. John started the DARE program in our county. The children he came into contact through this program looked up to him. This was apparent to all at the funeral home Wednesday evening and at the service Friday afternoon. John really cared about them and would do whatever he could to help them and they knew it.
I'll never forget when I first layed eyes on John Rotz. I turned to my husband and asked, "When did they start letting babies become Deputies? He can't be much more than 15." Of course at that time he wasn't, he was only 23.
The eulogy that was given at John's service on Friday is a wonderful tribute to him. I would like to share it with all of you. Special thanks goes to Lt. John A. Eckerson for allowing me to do so.
But I should like to hear the low-pitched voice
Of one whom I had touched in passing, say,
"My heart has more of sunshine than before,
Because, in life, his footsteps came my way."
If I could know that I had been the means,
Some lonely life to cheer or lift or bless,
As I walked down the long and rugged trail;
Then I would feel that I had known success.
-Leona Littrell
We are gathered here today to honor the life of John
William Rotz.
John was suddenly taken away from us early Wednesday morning, December 22, 1999. John was only 25 years of age.
John is survived by his father and mother, Robert and Sue Rotz, his sister, Heather, his son, Trenton Scott Rotz, his girlfriend Shelia Berg, his nephews Zachary and Jeremy Marpoe and his grandmother, Catherine Rotz.
I have only known John for a short period of his life. When Shiela, Robert and Sue asked me to speak today, I was immediately humbled. I hope I manage to give proper service to his memory, and I thank them deeply for this honor.
In losing John, we have all been shocked to the fullest extent. We have cried. We have cried alone. We have cried with loved ones......and we have cried out! "Why?!" Why, in this season especially, would such a joyful young man be taken away from us?
I think that no matter how long we ponder that question, we will not receive an acceptable answer. We are in a season that celebrates birth and life, so let us persevere and celebrate the treasured time we shared with John.
John was born in Carlisle and lived in Shippensburg, PA most of his life. He started his law enforcement career in Paw Paw, West Virginia as a city officer in 1996. That same year he attended the West Virginia State Police Academy.
It was in 1997 that he became a member of the Hampshire County Sheriff's Office. John was also a part time member of the Capon Bridge Police Department. In 1998 John initiated Hampshire County's first DARE program, and likewise became the county's first DARE officer.
DARE enabled John to reach out and touch the hearts of many citizens in our community. From the teachers and support staff, to the large number of students he taught.
Though John received numerous letters and notes from students that deserve your attention, I would like to read you one that was written after he left us.
There is the epitome of what a law enforcement officer should be, and John set that example. He was honest, ambitious and decent in the truest sense of these words.
He loved his job more than just about anything else. He was always pushing for that extra yard at work. In this past week John took several vacation days, and I don't think there was one day that went by that we didn't see him show up at the office to visit.
He worked with all law enforcement agencies without prejudice, and became close friends with most of the officers he came in contact with.
What I believe John loved the most in his life, was his friends and family.
John spoke to me often about how much he cared for and loved his family. He would joke all the time about his dad, Robert, coming up for visits a lot of weekends as if it wasn't a big deal, but when you really looked into his eyes, they would light up every time, like the innocense in a child. Perhaps that's one of the things that I loved in him. When he would get that look. He was sincere.
He didn't try to mask his delight in things, he would enjoy his happiness openly.
John told us how proud he was of his mother graduating college recently, and just last Friday, for the 4th or 5th time, I got to hear about how he shaved off his mustache for that occasion. If I recall the conversation correctly, I believe he said something like, "....so The Rock ,for the second time in his life, shaved off the peoples mustache."
Some of you will recall The Rock was one of John's nick-names, and every now and then he would remind you that the World Wrestling Federation stole the name from him.
Heather reminded me of a recent visit she had made to John's house where John proceeded to take his nephews Zachary and Jeremy into the woods searching for Sasquatch. It doesn't take much for us to picture him in our minds leading two awe struck children through a fantasy woodland he created for them....all out of love. A love of life.
I will miss his humor. I will miss him saying, "Did somebody say McDonalds?" every day when he got hungry....which was usually often. And no more will any of us hear him ask, "So what's the skinny on this?"
Thinking again on all the people John has touched through the years of his dreadfully short life, John has known success many times over.
And here we all are:
Dear friends....
Loved ones....
Family......
Hurt, sad, angered and confused....
Bear faithfully this storm. It will subside.
John, my brother, I can honestly say that my heart has more sunshine than before, because, in life, your footsteps came my way.
On behalf of everyone that has likewise been touched by John, I want to thank the Rotz family for sharing this beautiful person with us.
Completed Christmas Eve, December 24, 1999.
-Lt. John A. Eckerson