Officer Down Memorial Page

Rest in peace

Boomer
June 8, 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
February 11, 2008

Always remembered.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
June 8, 2007

Leo - 40

I remember your kindness to me when I was a rookie at the CCSO in 1974. You were the type of Officer that we all looked up to. I still tell the funny story of the suspicious car in the snow behind the old Moonlight Inn. Your passing broke our hearts. I'm sure that you are guarding the streets of Heaven. Semper Fidelis, Marine. 80

Chief Patrick A. Murphy
Berwyn Heights PD
June 24, 2005

Rest in peace, Sgt. Yates. You lived a noble life in defense of others. You will always be remembered by your brothers and sisters in blue.

Deputy Sheriff Karl C. Gwynne
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, FL
April 4, 2005

You are not forgotten brother. No hero is. Thank you for your service.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)
September 28, 2003