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Glendale’s Community Newspaper
Vol. 79 No. 2
Inside This Week
Cancer claims longtime police officer BY JOE MCHUGH
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Glendale Star Staff Writer
NEWS ........... 8
Sen. Mark Kelly sworn in for 6-year term
SPORTS ....... 14
Dedication to sport, school pays off for Doxie
January 12, 2023
www.glendalestar.com
rian Piech of the Glendale Police Department said Lt. Jason Zimmerman was everyone’s idol. “For me, he was a friend, a mentor, and a leader, is how I would initially describe him,” said Piech, a gun violence detective. “Everyone at the department who worked under him saw him and just idolized him as a leader, the humble person that wanted to learn everything when he was being a supervisor.” Zimmerman died Dec. 21 at age 45 after a six-year fight with colon cancer. Although Zimmerman will not be able to put on his badge again, his memory will live fondly in the hearts of those who loved him. Working as a first responder can take its toll mentally and physically. Zimmerman kept an
upbeat attitude. His work ethic, willingness to learn, and — most evident of all — his kindness shined through everything he did with the force. Whether it was during his time in the Army, or as a police officer, he stuck with his motto: “Be kind.” Two simple words with one massive meaning. “That’s just the way he was,” Piech said. “And throughout my career with him, as far as working with him in law enforcement, he was just always just a kind person.” In 2016, the veteran officer was stunned by his diagnosis. The then-39-year-old Zimmerman set out with a positive attitude. He remained positive that he could beat cancer. As his condition worsened, he retired from Jason Zimmerman, 45, died after a the Glendale Police Department in 2019. The long battle with colon cancer. (Glendale SEE ZIMMERMAN PAGE 6
Police Department/Submitted)
Firefighter’s life honored by community BY JOE MCHUGH
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Glendale Star Staff Writer
YOUTH .........22 22
Abrazo sets info meetings for teen volunteers
OPINION .................... 10 BUSINESS ...................12 SPORTS ..................... 14 CALENDAR................. 16 FEATURES.................. 18 RELIGION ................... 20 YOUTH ....................... 22 CLASSIFIEDS ............. 25
lendale firefighter Mark Fowl was multidimensional. There were many things that made up the man so many loved. At first glance, the 59-year-old looked half his age, thanks to his physique. Look closer and his smile and charisma created a magnetic-like force, pulling people in to talk to him. Lastly, the patented “Hey, good old buddy” or “Hey, mister, how are you doing?” was the last thing people heard.
Behind the smile and character, Fowl was dealing with something that eventually claimed his life on Dec. 19: brain cancer. His legacy will be remembered fondly to the world and to those in the Glendale community as a hero and great friend. Those include his wife, Jane, and their two children, Hannah and Alex. “He was a fireman’s firefighter,” said Josh Moore, Glendale firefighter and close friend. “A 20-year vet, he was one of my closest mentors. He helped me get hired. One of the nicest guys. The guy, no matter what the topic was, he would have a
smile on his face, or he turned it around and made sure that you were smiling.” Hailing from Glendale, Fowl gave his whole heart to everyone he met. He had a levity about him. Even in the toughest of times, he could flip any situation into the positive. “Mark was one of those guys who could really lighten the mood and make sure everybody was having fun,” Moore said. “(He was) just trying to lighten the mood. That’s kind of big in the fire service, in that we see and are around a lot of nasty
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