Jesse Childress looked up to the superheroes who populated the pages of his comic books, the figures who encapsulated abstract ideas like justice and righteousness.
Those concepts pulled from childhood comics would play an active role in the serviceman’s adult life. Childress was on active duty orders at Buckley Air Force Base, serving as an Air Force Reserve cybersystems operation technician assigned to the 310th Force Support Squadron. Childress had enlisted in the Army in 2002, and had trained to maintain million-dollar equipment before joining the Air Force Reserve in 2010.
For all of his high-tech training and know-how, Childress embraced his roots as a comic-book “nerd,” a fan who made sure he was among the first crowds to see the latest installment in the Batman film series. On July 20, he arrived at the Century Aurora 16 theater with his friend and fellow servicemember John Larimer, a Navy sailor who was also based at Buckley Air Force Base.
A cryptologic technician assigned to the Naval Information Operations Command, Larimer was known for his sense of humor, his eloquence and his character.
Both Childress and Larimer would prove their character as a massacre, unfolded in the darkness one of the theater’s auditoriums, as the exploits of a fictional hero played out on the screen. According to reports, Childress threw himself in front of friend and fellow servicemember Munirih Gravelly soon after the first shots rang out, after he had already suffered a mortal wound. Gravelly has said he died saving her life. Similarly, Larimer shielded his girlfriend as the bullets rained down, acting selflessly and courageously without a second thought.
Both Buckley servicemembers became real-life heroes in that darkened auditorium. Both acted with ideals and courage worthy of a comic book superhero, instantly placing themselves in the line of fire to protect loved ones.
Their actions left an impact locally and internationally. In the days after the shootings on July 20, fellow servicemembers, friends and family of the two soldiers gathered at Buckley Air Force Base to pay tribute and swap recollections.
“This tragic event has affected everyone here at Buckley Air Force Base and our local community friends and neighbors,” said Col. Daniel Dant, the 460th Space Wing commander, in a statement. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of each and every loved one.”
In remembrances, friends, peers and family have recalled the small details. They described Childress, as an avid sports fan, playing in pickup intramural games on the base. He’d root for the Broncos, L.A. Clippers and L.A. Kings.
Air Force Capt. Andrew Williams described Childress, a 29-year-old from Thornton, as knowledgeable, experienced and respectful. “We’re going to miss him incredibly,” he said.
Tech Sgt. Alejandro Sanchez, a co-worker, told the AP that Childress was his good friend, and they were on a bowling team together.
“He would help anyone and always was great for our Air Force unit,” he said.
Another co-worker, Ashley Wassinger, said Childress “was a great person fun to be with, always positive and laughing.”
John Larimer’s post as a cryptologic technician required a wide range of skills. According to the Navy’s website, the post requires someone with “exceptionally good character, above-average writing and speaking skills, a good memory, curiosity and resourcefulness.”
Larimer didn’t just fit those requirements, according to those who knew him. The descriptions of Larimer, 27, as an intelligent and eloquent man flooded from his friends, his family and even his commanding officers.
“I am incredibly saddened by the loss of Petty Officer John Larimer,” said Cmdr. Jeffrey Jakuboski, Larimer’s commanding officer, in a statement. “He was an outstanding shipmate. A valued member of our Navy team, he will be missed by all who knew him. My heart goes out to John’s family, friends and loved ones, as well as to all victims of this horrible tragedy.”
According to information provided by the Navy, Larimer grew up in the Chicago suburb of Crystal Lake, Ill., and joined the service just over a year ago.
“A valued member of our Navy team, he will be missed by all who knew him. My heart goes out to John’s family, friends and loved ones, as well as to all the victims of this horrible tragedy,” said Cmdr. Jeffrey Jakuboski, his commanding officer, in a written statement.
A family member told the Daily Herald newspaper in Arlington Heights, Ill., that Larimer was the youngest of five siblings. Neighbors in his hometown recalled his sense of humor.
“We love you, John, and we will miss you always,” his parents said in a statement.
Both Childress and Larimer had left the insulated, military world of Buckley that night to celebrate a superhero with the rest of Aurora. Just like the rest of the crowd who packed that theater in the early hours of July 20, the pair wanted to be among the first to watch the latest exploits of Batman, the dark antihero who devotes himself to justice in the wake of personal tragedy.
Both became more than mere witnesses to heroism played out in a fictional universe. They gave their lives protecting others. They threw themselves in front of the shooter’s gun in order to protect and shield the innocent. They took cues from fiction and turned them into action.
As servicemembers, community representatives and loved ones gathered at Buckley Air Force base this week to remember Childress and Larimer, their tributes were to real-life heroes, figures whose deeds outshone any act of bravery seen in a comic book.
Reach reporter Adam Goldstein at agoldstein@aurorasentinel.com or 720-449-9707
The Associated Press contributed to this report