Murder in Small Town X

EARTH ANGEL

MURDER IN SMALL TOWN X's champion Angel Juarbe
may have lost his life in the line of duty last September 11,
but this firefighter's true reward--a good heart--continues
to touch the lives of those he left behind.
The reality show's resident sergeant Gary Fredo
speaks fondly of the man whom he's fortunate
enough to call "friend."

He bested nine other amateur sleuths in figuring out just whodunit on Studio 23's hit reality series "Murder In Small Town X." But a week after his television triumph, 35-year-old Bronx-born ANGEL JUARBE sadly succumbed to the painful reality of Sept. 11's terrorist attacks. Juarbe, a firefighter for the last seven years at Ladder 12 in the Chelsea district of New York City, died during rescue operations at Ground Zero of the World Trade Center. His body was recovered amidst the ruins of the Marriott Hotel on Nov. 28, and laid to its much-deserved rest on Dec. 1, 2001.

Gary Fredo, the real-life Southern California police sergeant who guided the 10 investigators through "Murder in Small Town X"'s Sunrise, Maine massacre, developed a friendship with his fellow man of service. "Angel and I had a mutual bond," he confirms. "I'm from the police department, he was a fireman, so I guess we had a lot of talks." Though the two purposely distanced themselves during the making of the reality TV show, Fredo learned more about the man who would go on to win the series' $250,000 cash award after taping was over. "He cooked the best steak I ever had," he chuckles. "And Angel had a very caring quality that was evident both in person and in the show. He was a good man." Fredo adds that Juarbe was also "definitely intelligent," a factor that certainly helped him solve the cofusing crime, and a team player who managed to iron out his differences with his co-detectives. (Audiences will recall that Juarbe didn't like Kristen and had less-than-friendly feelings towards Jeff). "I really am lucky to be able to call him a friend," says Fredo.

The friendship took a tragic turn a few months ago when Juarbe became among the countless casualties of the event that changed America and the world forever. Like a true friend, Fredo contacted Juarbe on Sept. 12th and left a message asking if he was all right. But California police and the show's producers eventually informed Fredo that Juarbe was missing in the rubble.

"I am truly lucky to call him my friend," the police sergeant reiterates. "I admired him for what he did and I still do. My heart goes out to his family and I feel their pain. If there is any consolation, I know that in the end he was doing what he loved to do."