Officer Down Memorial Page

It is an honor to wear the same uniform as you did, thank you for your service and dedication to duty, may I have the same courage as you shown if called upon.

Deputy John Latour
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office
May 9, 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
November 1, 2007

HOW DOES A DRUG PUSHER GET AQUITTED CLAIMING SELF DEFENSE? GOD HELP US.
REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND. I SALUTE YOU! MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. A TRUE HERO INDEED!

YESTERDAY IS HISTORY, TOMORROW IS A MYSTERY AND TODAY IS A GIFT.

JIM SWEENEY
A FRIEND TO ALL POLICE OFFICERS
August 14, 2005

Kenny,

Words cannot express the emptiness that I still feel at your loss. We went through the academy together. You were ever the joker and one to liven things up. I've tried to carry on in that tradition, but you were the king.

God Bless you Kenny.

Sgt. Emile Sanchez
Kenner P.D.
March 25, 2005

I grew up with Kenny and his other brothers. It was one of the sadest day's in my life. I remember Kenny as always being there when you needed someone. God Bless You

Sue Mire
September 6, 2003