Deputy's Widow Plans His Funeral, Prays For Suspect
Times Picayune 10-8-1996

*************************************************
Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
************************************************  

As investigators worked Tuesday building their case against a suspect in the
murder of Jefferson Parish Deputy James Clarius, the young officer's widow was
planning final details of her husband's funeral.

Clarius, 34, will be buried today with full police honors at Lake Lawn
Mausoleum in the tomb with his father-in-law, former Jefferson Parish
Sheriff's Office east bank Cmdr. Mike Demma, who died of cancer 10 months ago.

"They loved one another so much. It's only right that they be together," said
Clarius's widow, Monique Demma Clarius. "My dad really felt Jimmy was the son
he never had."

Mrs. Clarius spent Tuesday in the home of her mother, Dorene Demma, just four
blocks from the scene of Clarius' murder on Page Drive early Saturday.

Investigators believe Ulysses Jones, 21, shot Clarius about a half-hour after
robbing a nearby convenience store. Jones was booked with both crimes Tuesday
evening. Clarius was killed with his own 9 mm gun.

Mrs. Clarius said she started praying for the suspect when she heard officers
had targeted someone, praying for his soul and for the protection of other
innocent people.

"Whoever killed my husband is a man without remorse, a man who would kill in
cold blood.

"He shot Jimmy through the heart, then stood over where he fell and fired
three more times.

"Did he know Jimmy? Had Jimmy arrested him before? Is that why he killed him?
Was the guy on crack? He'd have to have been on something to overpower Jimmy.
These are the kinds of things I want to know, I need to know."

As an army of state, federal and local authorities continued late Tuesday
trying to answer those same questions, Mrs. Clarius oversaw last-minute
funeral preparations.

She and son Jonathan, 7, planned to prepare a tape for use during today's
funeral. They will each speak a few words and record a song with special
meaning to Jonathan and his father.

She ticks off a list of other details. Brass playing taps. A 21-gun salute.
Honor guards. Law enforcement officers from throughout the area.

Mrs. Clarius said she rejected cremation for her husband, though he would have
preferred it.

"But I know he would agree with my decision," she said. "When he talked about
cremation, he didn't know he would be a murder victim."

Mrs. Clarius said she wants her husband's body available for exhumation if
needed to assist in prosecution.

Clarius' funeral will be at 3 p.m. at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home chapel,
5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.