Officer Down Memorial Page

Miss you, Charlie.

S/A Dennis Wilbur-retired
Iowa Dept. Public Safety/brother-in-law
January 8, 2010

Trooper Whitney,
Sir, on today, the 24th anniversary of your death, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Iowa. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
June 16, 2009

Thank you, sir. You are not forgotten.

April 29, 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
January 14, 2008

Rest in peace. You are not forgotten.

Trooper
Iowa State Patrol
February 27, 2007

Your service to the people of Iowa will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace, and know one day you will be with the ones who love you. Take care of heavens roads, and be there for others who have given their life, as you did serving others.

Trooper
Iowa State Patrol
February 14, 2007

Charlie was a family friend, and a wonderful man.
He fixed my VW's all during my years of owning them.
He was always at his shop with his wife Joyce, working on VW
's. Thanks to him, he kept my "Bug" running in tip-top shape.

There is nothing we can say to these men that put their lives on the line, for each and everyone of us daily, other than Thank you. I am just so sorry that his was taken from us so young --- he would have made a huge impression on everyone that could have meet him in the following years.

They could have meet a special man!!!!

We miss you Charlie.

Dana

Dana Eastman
Friend
January 17, 2007

I REMEMBER A TIME WHEN CHARLIE STOPPED BY MY SHOP..IN UNIFORM..TOOK OFF HIS HAT..AND HELPED ME REPAIR A VOLKSWAGON THAT I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH. HE LOVED THOSE VW'S..REST IN PEACE TROOPER

RESERVE OFFICER RICHARD L. SATTERLEE
CEDAR FALLS POLICE DEPT. CEDAR FALLS,IOWA
August 16, 2005

Trooper Whitney is on eternal patrol. I still think of him when we worked as ISP Troopers in ajoining districts. A good man and a fine officer. Rest in peace Charlie.

J.D. Peppmeier "X-296"
former Trooper, Iowa State Patrol

Chief J.D. Peppmeier
Marion PD - South Dakota
March 3, 2005

I agree with a previous writer who wrote “No officer’s death should be without reflection.” It is an honor to be the first to leave a reflection in your memory. May the memory of your service, heroism and sacrifice remain forever.
RIP brother. AC

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police
September 10, 2003