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.
July 10, 2007

MY BROTHER, YOU PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE 59 YEARS AGO TODAY. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO YOUR COUNTRY AS WELL AS YOUR STATE. YOU ARE TRULY A HERO. IT IS WITH GREAT HONOR THAT I LEAVE THIS REFLECTION TO YOU.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.
August 14, 2006

Constable McAteer,
On today, the 59th anniversary of your death, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your community, but also for your service to our Country when you served in the U.S. Army during WWII.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous
August 14, 2006

Constable McAteer,
It has taken over 59 years, but you are finally being honored. I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your community, but for our Country as well when you served in the U.S. Army.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

April 7, 2006

Thank you for your service to our nation and Lancaster County. Rest in peace.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables
April 3, 2006

Thank you for your service Constable McAteer, you are not forgotten.

Pecos Police Department
Pecos, Texas

April 3, 2006

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer
April 2, 2006

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer
April 1, 2006

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer
April 1, 2006

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 a badge
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
April 1, 2006

OFFICER THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE IN WAR AND PEACE TIME.REST IN GOD PEACE.

GILBERT DANIEL
April 1, 2006

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer
April 1, 2006