2024 Last Ring Notifications
Gerald “Jerry” Sampont #3193, retired Seattle Police detective, passed away on January 17, 2024, at 79 years of age.
Jerry was born and raised in Kirkland. He graduated from Lake Washington High School alongside his close friends John Reynolds #2889 and Dick King #3124, Jerry openly admitted that he had always been up to mischief. When a counselor suggested that Jerry join the military, he took it to heart and decided to join the Coast Guard. This was during a time when the draft was still in effect, and joining the Coast Guard seemed like a great option, with the focus being on search and rescue as well as law enforcement.
Jerry aspired to become an electronics technician, but didn’t pass the test. Jerry was determined to achieve his goal, so he sought the help of a tutor, appealed to retake the test, and successfully passed the exam. Jerry was then sent to Groton, Connecticut, to begin electronics school. After graduation, he returned to Seattle and was stationed to Captain of the Port (Seattle). In November 1965, he received his orders to report to Alameda, California within two weeks for a ten-day training, his assignment was Squadron 1, Division 13, a newly formed division that was being deployed to Vietnam. He underwent Marine Corps survival and gun training prior to embarking on one of nine 82’ patrol boats. Jerry wasn’t too concerned, as being a communications specialist, he would “just” handle radio operations.
On February 22, 1966, Division 13 arrived at Cat Lo, Vietnam, 40 miles south of Saigon. Each vessel had a South Vietnamese naval officer with them as a translator. The USCG mission was to block the supply line on the Soriap River as the Navy boats were too large to navigate the rivers and the Navy swift boats would not show up for another year.
On his third night of patrol, while on a 95’ cutter, Jerry’s ship came under fire. Jerry’s captain swamped the enemy ship, but the gun fight was still on, even as the Coasties were trying to rescue the enemies from drowning, a bad guy swung up to the side of Jerry’s ship and fired his fully automatic AK-47 almost into Jerry’s face. Jerry stayed in Vietnam for a year and then came back to Seattle and served another six months to finish out his enlistment. He served in the Coast Guard on active duty from September 7, 1963, through September 7, 1967. Jerry then joined the Coast Guard Reserves.
When he came back to Seattle, Jerry worked as a box boy in a grocery store and attended junior college. He wanted to become a teacher. Jerry was a bartender at Black Angus when he met his future wife. While driving, Jerry overheard Jack Webb on the radio advertising for Seattle Police jobs. Knowing that bartending wasn’t for him, he took the test and did not pass. He was determined though, went and bought a book on policing, studied hard and re-took the test while he listened to Andy Williams “The Impossible Dream”. He passed the test with flying colors and was hired by SPD on June 16, 1969, as a Law Enforcement Trainee. Jerry was one of the original six trainees. He attended Academy Class #63, along with John Guich #3267, Jim St. Delore #3341, Dan Fordice #3280, Bob Baumgartner #3263, Curt Winther #3324, Keith Engstrom #3275, Dennis Bringham #2696, and Jules Werner #3276.
Jerry was assigned to patrol. In December 1971, officers responded to a prowler with a gun call at the Jensonia Apartments. The suspect had been hiding and was on the loose after escaping from the Hungerford Hotel where he had taken a guard’s revolver. Dan VanMill #2894 was shot at first and the suspect re-entered the apartment on the second story. Dennis Behrend #2781 was shot at from the closet the suspect was hiding in, Jerry, Dennis Zimnisky #2245 and Dennis “Pat” Kelly #3160 were all stationed on the rooftop adjacent to the suspect. There was a hut on the roof. Jerry carefully opened and closed the door of the hut and stuck his head around the opening when the suspect shot and narrowly missed him. Jerry jumped back and the suspect ran out of the hut while all three officers were returning fire. Jerry, along with Pat and Dennis, fired four shots and Dennis Nixdorf #2778 fired the shot that killed the suspect.
In March 1972, around 10:00 PM, Officers Clay McDonald #1458, and Ernest Shreve #3247, parked their car in the Bush Hotel parking lot to patrol the area on foot. While they were getting out of their car, a tenant on the fourth floor leaned out of a window and shouted “I’m going to kill you” right before he began firing a shotgun out the window. Officer McDonald was shot, but both officers returned fire and called for backup. This was the start of a 25-minute shootout, during which five officers were shot. Officer Larry Laxton #2758 reported that Sgt. Vern "Don" Adams #2153, went to his aid but was struck in the back as he was pulling Laxton out of the line of fire. Laxton had facial wounds, one of which narrowly missed his eye. Sgt. Adams suffered a back wound. Dale Eggers #2979 and Officer McDonald both had wounds to their face and chest while Lee Libby #3437 had superficial wounds that did not require hospitalization. Other officers made it to the fourth floor where the suspect was located. After firing through the door, the officers entered the room and found the suspect unconscious. The suspect had suffered with PTSD for years from the Korean War.
From 1976 to 1980, Jerry was assigned to the Academy as an instructor where he taught mock scenes, criminal law, and patrol procedures. During his tenure, Jerry updated and created lesson plans. On January 1, 1980, Jerry was promoted to Detective and assigned to the Pawnshop. During this time Jerry was starting to struggle with PTSD from Vietnam. Additionally, he was assisting his close family friends by managing a foundation. Jerry was kind and empathetic, he understood the immense pain and struggle that PTSD is. Jerry knew that it was a difficult journey, but he was determined to face it head-on. Jerry felt a deep sense of responsibility to help others who were dealing with similar traumatic experiences. He encouraged others to seek help so they could heal.
In 1990, Jerry retired from the Coast Guard Reserves as a Lieutenant Commander; he then retired, after 22 years from Seattle on April 22, 1991. Jerry stayed busy in his retirement. He continued to manage the foundation. He built a large home in Port Angeles which they resided in for 20 years. He owned his own plumbing company. Jerry arranged reunions with his fellow military service members. This reunion initiative started when he stumbled upon a photograph that his fellow Coasties had signed in Vietnam, pledging to reunite. He and his wife also enjoyed travelling throughout the US in their motor home alongside his partner, Pat, and his wife Sam. Jerry and Louise loved the beauty in Green Valley, Arizona, so they made their home there. Always giving, Jerry was a ham radio operator. Every Wednesday he would talk with the people stationed in Antarctica. Jerry would patch them through to their families so they could visit free of charge.
In 2004, Jerry received a direct commission from the Coast Guard Reserves. He was tasked with the training to welcome and safely escort the first nuclear submarine, named "Ohio", through hundreds of protestors to Bangor, on the Olympic Peninsula. Jerry was accompanied by (USCG Command Master Chief) Dave Malland #2553, (USCG Lt. Commander) Tom Witkowski #2318, and (USCG Commander) Roy Wedlund #2154. The Ohio was the first submarine to go to the new missile subbase, and protesters from all over the world threatened to block its passage. On the day of the mission, protesters in large and small boats attempted to block and board the submarine. Coast Guard boats were ready, and when the protesters tried to block and board the Ohio. They were hosed down, sending them into Puget Sound. Ships from Australia and Canada were impounded, and their crews arrested. The Ohio was completely secure and safe during the transit. The successful mission made national news.
In 2005, Jerry was interviewed by the Library of Congress for "The Vietnam Project" in which he shared his experiences of serving in Vietnam with the Coast Guard. Additionally, a documentary titled "Coast Guard at War" was made for the Discovery Military Channel.
The foundation Jerry ran continues to this day and plays an important role in supporting several charitable organizations, including Children's Hospital, the Coast Guard Stockings for children, the DESC, and the Ballard Food Bank. This foundation also has a 90% success rate in helping homeless women and children break the cycle of poverty by achieving self-sufficiency and independence.
Jerry once said that he wouldn't change anything he experienced in life, whether it was good or bad. When asked what advice he would give to others, he encouraged them to keep moving forward, persist in the face of obstacles, never accept "no" for an answer, and to always keep trying, no matter what. Jerry's words of wisdom are a reminder that life is a journey full of ups and downs, but it is our determination and resilience that ultimately define our success.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 54 years, Louise; his son Joseph; daughter Teresa and her husband Lynn, three grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Jerry was predeceased by his son Mike.
Written by:
Stephanie Coleman
Police Pension
Stephanie.Coleman@seattle.gov