Deputy James Gilmartin - L.A. County Sheriff's Department

Our ten year anniversary was spent on a cruise along the California coast and down to Mexico.  We celebrated our life together, toasted the years we would spend watching our children grow and looked forward to years of happiness as we grew old together.  As days progressed, Jimmy began to suffer from severe headaches.  Nothing seemed to relieve the pain.  We weren't worried though since we figured it was probably just tension or stress related.  That was March of 2006.

In May, Jimmy went to see his doctor who did a battery of tests.  These included testing him for high blood pressure and field of vision to see if he could find the source of these painful, bothersome headaches.  The field of vision test revealed Jimmy had a significant loss in his right side peripheral vision.  The doctors advised us that Jimmy needed to be seen immediately for an MRI.  We had no idea of what lay in store for us when we met with the doctor.

On May 4, 2006, Jimmy's doctor's told us he had a malignant astrocytoma; in laymen's terms, Jim had a malignant brain tumor.  That was the source of his debilitating headaches.  Surgery was scheduled and we were advised that his surgeon would attempt to remove as much of the tumor as possible without damaging the vital structures of the brain.  It was his belief that quality of life for Jim had to be maintained.  If he could not remove all of the tumor, he would treat the rest with chemotherapy and radiation; the goal being to keep the tumor at bay for as long as possible.  We later learned that the initial diagnosis was incorrect; Jimmy had Glioblastoma Multiforme, Grade IV, the most aggressive type of primary brain tumor.  Jim was given six months to live. 

After his initial surgery, Jimmy did well as we adjusted to his diagnosis.  We never lost hope that he would beat this horrible tumor.  He had 1 1/2 years of good health until he began to have balance problems in June of 2008.  Our days now consisted of radiation treatments and bi-monthly chemotherapy appointments, all of which required Jimmy be transported to and from each medical facility.  It was then that the Charlie Sears Foundation purchased us a lightweight transport wheelchair because the standard one we were using was too difficult to manage. 

By July, Jimmy was no longer able to speak.  A routine MRI revealed two additional tumors, the 3rd of which was located on his brain stem.  We knew then our time together was short.  We prepared ourselves for the inevitable passing of my beloved husband and Kyle and Emily's dear father.

In the coming days, Jim's family, friends and fellow deputies came to see him and, ultimately, say their goodbyes.  On Friday, August 29, 2008, as he was surrounded by family and friends, Jimmy took his final breath and left this world more loved then when he entered it 44 years ago. 

~ Sabrina Gilmartin