Officer Down Memorial Page

"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 20, 2008

Rest in Peace, Corporal Toal. We thank you for your Service, Sir. You will NEVER be forgotten.

Sr. Corporal Trey Pellizzari
Texas Dept of Public Safety/Commercial Vehicle Enforcement--Rockwall
January 4, 2008

GT...you are missed. As much as you hated to work that front desk, I sure learned alot from you when you did. Rest in peace.

Dee Dee
former OPD
February 14, 2007

Rest in Peace Motorman. You are not forgotten.

Motor Officer D.Johnson
Metro Nashville Police Dept.
August 19, 2006

Always my hero, almost a brother, my cousin. I miss you.

Gwennel Byrd Moore
March 31, 2005

On behalf of the members of Blue Knights Missouri Chapter VII, we send our sympathies to the family of Corporal Toal.

Doug Eatherton
St. Louis City Police
February 5, 2005

06/03/04

Rest in peace Cpl. Toal. You are not forgotten.

Captain Robert W Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.
June 3, 2004