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
January 9, 2008

Jim, I can't help but think that you and I are kin somewhere down the line. I find it interesting that we are in the same line of business. Anyway, I have spent some time on this website since the passing of a fellow deputy and that is how I found you. I was wondering if there had ever been another Atteberry on patrol. God be with you.

Sgt David G. Atteberry
Autauga County Sheriff's Office
October 8, 2006

MARSHAL JIM ATTEBERRY, SOME DAYS I THINK TO MYSELF THAT I AM IN THIS WORLD ALONE AND NOBODY COULD UNDERSTAND WHAT AN OFFICERS LIFE IS LIKE ON PATROL AND WHILE THINKING THAT I LOOK ON THE OFFICERS MEMORIAL PAGE AND I SEE THE DAY I WAS BORN JULY 28, 1970 A MAN GAVE HIS LIFE DOING WHAT I"AM DOING 35 YEARS LATER AND I UNDERSTAND THAT I"AM NOT ALONG. GONE BUT WILL LIVE IN US UNTIL THE END, GOD BLESS....P.O. W.BRADLEY D.P.D

POLICE OFFICER WILLIE BRADLEY
DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT
July 31, 2005

Marshal Atteberry,
On today, the 35th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Kiowa County.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

July 28, 2005