It’s a friendship forged from chaos and violence, and the death of a loved one.

“I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for his being in that restaurant and being armed,’’ Rosemary Heath said Thursday about Plymouth County Deputy Sheriff James Creed.

Creed fatally shot Arthur DaRosa as the 28-year-old went on a knife-wielding rampage at the Silver Galleria Mall in Taunton in May.

Heath, Creed, and Creed’s wife, Laura, spoke with reporters Thursday, a day after Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III concluded that the deputy sheriff was justified in fatally shooting DaRosa as he randomly attacked people in the mall, including Heath’s husband, George, who died in the violence.

James Creed said he was relieved that the investigation by Quinn’s office has ended.

“It’s a weight off our shoulders,’’ he said in a telephone interview.

Creed said he had only “glossed over’’ Quinn’s report detailing the events of that horrifying night, which still haunt him and his wife.

“It’s something that is going to stick with us, unfortunately, for the rest of our lives,’’ he said.

Laura Creed said they were still processing what happened the night of May 10.

“We are just grateful that the legal side has come to a close,’’ she said. “But as far as the emotional side — we have a long road ahead of us.’’

George Heath, 56, was fatally stabbed in a Bertucci’s restaurant as he and his wife sought to save a pregnant waitress after DaRosa grabbed her by the back of her shirt and began repeatedly stabbing her.

The Creeds also rushed to help. Laura Creed, a registered nurse, provided first aid, and James Creed, who was off-duty, fired one round from his personal .45-caliber handgun to stop DaRosa.

DaRosa had earlier burst into a Taunton home and fatally stabbed 80-year-old Patricia Slavin and seriously wounded her daughter, Kathleen, as they were finishing dinner.

He had a criminal history, including some violent incidents, and on the morning of the attacks he had been discharged from a Taunton hospital, where he had sought treatment for mental illness. Family members said he had long suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts.

The Creeds credited family, friends, their employers, and the law enforcement community for helping them regain some peace after the terrifying attacks. Most important, they said, is the friendship that has developed with Rosemary Heath.

“A big help to us has been getting to know Rosemary,’’ Creed said. “She is unbelievably strong. She has helped us a great deal.’’

Rosemary Heath, who has created a scholarship fund in her husband’s memory, credits Creed with saving her life. A fund-raiser for the George Heath Superhero Scholarship Fund will be held Nov. 26 at the Bertucci’s in Taunton.

Heath thanked James and Laura Creed for helping her deal with the loss of her husband, who was a visual arts teacher at New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School.

“I absolutely love them,’’ Heath said. “I am thankful they were here for every step of what we’ve been through.’’

Heath said she takes comfort in her friendship with the Creeds and from the fact that she was able to be with her husband as he died.

“I was able to say goodbye to George that night,’’ she said.

She paused, then added: “I have come to peace with the events of that night . . . but I miss my husband immensely.’’

James Creed said he is about to complete training with a new K-9 German shepherd, who will join him as he continues his career at the sheriff’s department.

The dog’s name?

“Heath,’’ he said.

John R. Ellement can be reached at ellement@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @JREbosglobe.