Officer Down Memorial Page

Although, I have never had the pleasure of meeting you, I feel as if I know you. I have heard many stories about your life from the officers that were fortunate enough to have known you. The officers that you worked with have since retired and the torch has been passed to a new generation of Burton Police Officers. There may be new faces patrolling the City of Burton, but we wear the same badge as you, brother. We are reminded everyday of your sacrafice when we look at your name on the wall in the roll call room. We hope you will continue to look down on your fellow officers and keep us safe from harm. You life will be remembered for generations to come and your family will always be in our prayers for you gave everything to protect the citizens of the City of Burton.

Officer Eric Freeman
Burton Police Department
January 17, 2011

Too Tall, we have made it, all of your co workers have now retired or completed their shifts in honor of you. It was never the same place when we lost you and your humor was sadly missed. Your mother and sister have been great friends to many of us and we look forward to seeing them.

It was truely an honor to work with you and i have many wonderful memories of you.

Anonymous
January 13, 2010

Tom and Terry...so different yet so alike. Such fun loving, trouble making, best friends. Our family has never been the same without Terry. He was Godfather to our daughter and was mercilessly murdered on our other daughters 11th birthday. A light went out in my husbands heart, a light that he could never get back. I am so glad to have been able to keep the stories alive by staying close to Pat and Tamara. Tom and Terry...together again, watching over us.

Sue Makela
Lost and lonely friend
September 12, 2009

It's been 26 years since my brother was murdered, but he will always be a part of who I am. I am thankful for his genuine goodness and the example of excellence he set for me. I will always miss his fun-loving nature, his height that stretched upwards all of 6'-5", his hugs and his love for me. Terry is why I know there is a God. Only a loving Heavenly Father could have created such a wonderful human being as Terry was. He had attributes that could only have been given by Deity...he was that special and rare. People like him don't come into the world very often, and when they do, you sure don't want to lose them. He was the best of the best. He brought more sunshine into our family in 5 minutes than I could ever bring in a whole lifetime! If people were food, Terry is a gourmet dish and I am the left-overs! I can never hold a candle to what he will always be to all of us. Only once in a lifetime do you ever catch the light of someone so unique who lived his life with gusto, wholly with glee and laughter, totally fearless, come what may. If people really understood these sacred family relationships, and the pain associated with their loss, then they would know why it destroys families. I will always be grateful to Terry's friends for all they have done for me and for our family to soften the blow, fill the void and their patience with us as we have grieved over the years. I haven't been as brave in carrying this burden of loss, but they are truly courageous and have the hearts of lions. Terry would be so proud of each one of them! You are always in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you.

Respectfully,
Tamara

Tamara
sister
June 15, 2009

"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 13, 2007

I remember the night Officer Thompson was taken from us. I was just 12 years old but I have never forgotten his service to the community where I went to school. He is a true hero.

Chief Jason Curtman
Bloomfield MO Police Department
May 23, 2007

It is so wonderful to see that our precious Terry is still remembered even by those who never knew him. It's been nearly 24yrs. since that fateful night and I can still see you in my minds eye and hear the last words we spoke. You were loved in life and still loved and missed in death. You were a wonderful man and officer. You legacy lives on in many ways and our memories together will always be in my heart and life.
Karen

karen
friend
March 6, 2007

You will never be forgotten. I never got to know you personally but knew of you. I remember the day my father got the call that one of his fellow officers were lost. I realized how special each and every day truly is. Every time I was at the police department I gazed at the pictures of yourself and Officer Herrick and thank you for your dedication.

Federal Air Marshal
Federal Air Marshal Service
December 7, 2006

As a former member of BPD it was an honor to see that your were never forgotten. Many values were learned from the night you were shot. Every time I saw your picture in the department I know you are always looking down on all of us and protecting us. You are still not forgotten by any of the members and you never will be. Continue to keep us all safe.

Former BPD Officer
March 25, 2006

A family member of mine was one of the Deputy's on scene the night of this great loss to us all. I was just a young boy when this happened and never really knew the story until I recently went home on leave and spoke with my family member. Ive always had the passion and desire of law enforcement in my soul but I just took a different route and love what I do. But is the great police officers of my hometown like Officer Thompson that made me want to do this job also. I just want to say thank you sir, for keeping my neighborhood safe when I was just a boy.

SPC Jeremy Diem
US Army Military Police
July 22, 2004