Officer Down Memorial Page

Karen

I will always remember you and the times that we worked together. You have not been forgotten and will live on forever in the minds and hearts of those who worked with you. We were all a very good team.

Forever a partner, RIP.

Retired MPO & "C" Squad Member
Fairfax County Police
February 20, 2010

Karen, I was in High School when you were patrolling the streets of McLean. I became a Cop because of women like you, you paved the road for the rest of us. You were taken too early. God Bless you and your Family.

Terri
Fairfax County Police Va, Retired
January 5, 2010

Thank-you for your service. Rest in Peace.

Lt. Stephen A. Joy #980
Prince George's County Police Department
October 27, 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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
April 2, 2008

god bless you and your family

fx officer
July 31, 2007

Continue to rest in peace

Dispatcher
FCPD - DPSC
July 31, 2007

You are remembered today for the sacrafice you made 30 years ago. Love and prayers go out to your family. You will never be forgotten......

a member of FCPD
July 30, 2007

Karen you are not forgotten. Your Mom and Dad speak so much about you I feel as if I know you myself. We sit and talk for hours, and you bring smiles and laughter to them with all the warm memories. Love is eternal.

Mpo Beth Benham
Fairfax County Police Department
July 30, 2007

Thirty years have passed since that tragic day.I served 5 years at Sta3. Your memory lives on within every FCPD officer. Rest in peace my brother. Rest in peace.

July 30, 2007

Karen-- I have thought of you often over the years, but particularily after Mike and Vicky passed. I was and still am proud to have been your friend and I am especially proud to have been a member of the Fairfax County Police Department. Rest in Peace.

Pete Quell MPO
Fairfax County
December 2, 2006

Officer Bassford,

May you continue to rest in eternal peace......

Senior Officer D.W.Reichhardt
Virginia State University Police Department Chesterfield, Virginia
July 27, 2006

Sister In Blue

I just drove by the area where your accident occured and thought of you as you served the citizens of Fairfax County. Thank you for your service and take care of the 3 other County heroes who have joined you since you were called home.

Police Officer
May 24, 2006

Karen, we were friends so briefly. All of our old gang went on and made it to retirement. You were called so suddenly, who new that was your last alarm run. We were all proud of you and talked of you often over the years. Time draws us closer as we all will soon meet again. Thanks for your lasting sacrifice. You were a true hero and way ahead of your time. Thanks for the honor of knowing you.

Sgt. Mike Crabill Retired
Alexandria Police Department
May 10, 2006

I started in law enforcement about the same time you did. Now I am retired and you never had that chance. I wanted to stop in and leave a reflection to say that you have not been forgotten and that you are a true hero. Keep watch over those that love you and those still out on patrol.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon, Asst. Chief, Retired
Riverside PD, IL
February 18, 2006

Karen, your service is remembered.
We continue in your memory.

Master Trooper
Virginia State Police
June 28, 2005

Officer Bassford:
Thank you for your service and sacrifice. You are not forgotten.

M. Bartholme
Fairfax City (VA) Police Department
April 29, 2005

I remembered this tragedy when I lived in the Alexandria area before I became a police officer, in Pennsylvania. Rest in Peace Blue Angel....You will not be forgotten...May your Family, Fellow Officers, and Friends have found Peace
over the years...

Officer Debra McFall Ross
East Buffalo Twp P.D.
July 26, 2004

My prayers are for you Karen Jean and your family. It has been a long time since you left Fairfax, but you will never be forgotten. God Bless

Retired Master Police Officer
Fairfax County Police
June 17, 2004

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA
June 15, 2004

Karen, as does the Fairfax County Officer in the next reflection, I honor your memory also. Respectfully, Jim Crotty(former Richmond, VA Police Officer).

Special Agent Jim Crotty
ATF (SA, Retired)
February 13, 2004

As a fellow Fairfax County Officer I noticed that there was not a message concerning one of our own. You have not been forgotten. Rest in Peace.

Anonymous