Officer Down Memorial Page

Merry Christmas, Trooper Peterson, to you and your family.
Thank you for your sacrifice.

May God's peace be with you this holiday season!

Trooper
Michigan State Police
December 14, 2010

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
November 15, 2007

It has been 25 years since your line of duty death. You are remembered and will never be forgotten. Watch over your brothers & sisters in law enforcement, especially the MSP. Rest peacefully, thank you for your sacrifice. God bless.

August 29, 2006

Rest in peace Troop!

Officer
Maryland
January 22, 2006

God bless you always.

DE
St. Louis City Police
July 27, 2005

Remembering you, Trooper Peterson, today, the 23rd anniversary of your death. Thank you for your service to the Michigan State Police and the citizens of Michigan.

Michigan Citizen
August 29, 2004

A true hero. I honor you. Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer).

Special Agent Jim Crotty
ATF (Retired)
April 8, 2004

Trooper Peterson, I instruct a course on officer safety involving railroads. Your memory is honored by each officer in every class I teach. God bless.

Special Agent Dennis Duncan
Norfolk Southern Railway Police
February 21, 2004

Thank you for your sacrifice. You are a hero.

Anonymous
September 27, 2003