Community mourns loss of bartender
by Ambria Hammel

DESERT FOOTHILLS – Friends, family members and restaurant patrons continue to mourn the loss of local bartender Tom Tripi, 32, the victim of a hit and run on northbound I‑17 north of Anthem Way. The suspect remains at large, wanted on felony charges of leaving the scene of a fatal accident, but the Desert Foothills community immediately came together to show their support for Tripi’s family.

Tripi was fatally struck in the early morning hours of June 2 while on the shoulder tending to a blown tire and hit again by at least another vehicle and a motorcycle. That night, friend and Cave Creek resident Bruce Brown, along with two other friends, donned the same T‑shirt design that he wore at work as a memorial. His employers are also showing their support.

Tripi was a bartender at The Satisfied Frog in Cave Creek and had just completed his first shift June 1 at the Roadrunner Restaurant and Saloon in New River shortly before he was killed. Friends and patrons participated in a benefit at The Satisfied Frog on June 7, raising almost $10,000 through admission, auction items and raffle prizes.

Satisfied Frog office manager Billie Jean Pugh said the restaurant has also received a lot of e‑mails–including some from out‑of‑state–sent by customers wanting to show their support of Tripi. She described him as having a good following with his customers and known for his polite and upbeat nature.

“As a person, he was just magnetic. Everybody wanted to be his friend. His personality was off the charts,” said Roadrunner Manager Christina Smith, who also worked with him for nearly one year at another local restaurant. She said Tripi was excited to be a father again. He left behind a four‑month‑old son and a fiancee who is several months pregnant with their daughter.

Three days after Tripi’s death, Brown established a permanent memorial of his buddy, who he called “Trip” and described him as someone who would “always bend over backwards to help people...just one of those guys that had a heart of gold.” Brown got a tattoo on his right forearm. The design includes a butterfly, the name “Trip,” his date of death, and “R.I.P.”

The Roadrunner is finalizing plans for a benefit the weekend of June 24‑25, which may include a bike run. A memorial fund has also been set up in his name.

Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo branch. The account number is 2424611040.

Reach the reporter at ambria@thedsertadvocate.com.