Officer Down Memorial Page

You have not been forgotten. Thank you for your dedicated service to law enforcement.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
August 16, 2008

"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
February 7, 2008

To the family and loved ones of Officer Robert Louis John and his fellow officers with the Galveston Police Department:

On this the sixteenth anniversary of Robert's tragic death, I wanted to honor and remember him today. His professionalism and dedication will never be forgotten.

I hope that God is holding him in the sweetest part of his heart and the most gentle part of his soul.

I am so sorry that Robert was robbed of his life so tragically, but through his heroism and the profound sense of duty with which he lived his life, he made an immeasurable difference. May his spirit continue to soar and may his memory continue to inspire.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service Robert gave to his community and the citizens of Texas, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on August 16, 1990.

Phyllis L. Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD
eow 4/24/05

August 16, 2006

Thank you for your service to your fellowman. Rest in peace.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables
March 22, 2006

Officer John, 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