Family reflects on fallen Madison Co. deputy Rosemary Vela

TRENTON, Tenn. — For the first time, we hear from the family of fallen Madison County Deputy Rosemary Vela about her name being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in our nation’s capital.

“I’m very proud of her. She accomplished what she wanted,” Deputy Vela’s mother said Tuesday.

Vela had always planned to be in the line of duty and worked until she accomplished her dream.

Vela’s aunt, Blanca Villalobos, reiterated what Rosemary used to say to her mom. “‘You know mom, this is what I wanted. I don’t want you to ever cry if anything happens to me because this is what I want.'”

Villalobos said Vela was passionate about serving her community. On Sunday, the family will watch her name be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

“She touched a lot of hearts,” said Maria Vela, Rosemary’s mother. “She encouraged a lot of people. She made a lot of good friends. She was a very intelligent woman, a young woman, a single parent,” Villalobos said.

The monument honors officers nationwide who have died in the line of duty, and the family says her son is excited to head to the capital.

“He’s excited to go since he’s flying in a plane, but once he get’s there I’m hoping that it helps him a lot,” Maria said.

There also will be a candlelight service held Friday to honor fallen officers both locally and in Washington, D.C.

“They’re going to have a candlelight for her. They’re having one here in Jackson too, same day,” Maria said. “Some of us will be in Washington and the other part here in Jackson.”

The family said they are overwhelmed with the support the community and the officers have shown their family and especially to Vela’s son.

“Every time they see him they let him know if anything is ever needed they’re going to be there for him and all of the family,” Villalobos said.

Vela is the first female Madison County deputy to be killed in the line of duty and the first deputy to die on duty since 1991.