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 30, 2008

Gosh Roscoe, I cannot believe 12 years has passed since you left us, you are still missed by all who knew you.

I'll never forget our talks about our tours of duty in Vietnam. I often wondered if you were ever one of the chopter pilots that set me in a real "Hot LZ", remember?

I was just thinking,I don't believe I ever saw you "not" smiling and I will always remember that about you. And that you were a great Law Enforcement officer, fellow Nam vet and friend.

You are missed by all of us. But, we know your in a better place and with some of the gang from SCSD,tell Arthur and Steve I said hello. We'll see you all again someday and we'll talk about old times.

Rest In Peace my friend.

You, Steve, Arthur and all the others will never be forgotten.
************************
"When you go home
Tell them of us and say
For their tomorrow
We gave our today,"

Captain Lynn Hawkins, Ret.
Sullivan County Sheriff's Department, Tennessee
September 14, 2007

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ
August 20, 2007

G-d Bless.

May 30, 2007

It's the end of 2006 and I am still on the job. You are the one that trained me. I still have the training file from 1991. You are in my thoughts often. I am now training a new guy. Guess I know what you were thinking. I still remember eating the steak at the end of my training and then having to chase the guy up the hill in Orebank. Those who were there are now laughing. I know you are in a better place. See you again someday.

Tim Duncan
CSX Police
October 18, 2006

A HERO TO ALL

May 30, 2005

It does not matter if it was yesterday or 20 years ago. You and all your brothers will not be forgotten Officer Teague. Thank you for you service.

Anonymous
March 19, 2004