Officer Down Memorial Page

Dear Marvin, I just wanted to say that I miss you very much and I think of you all the time. And I tell my 2 children all about you and how much you would have loved them,and I know they love you.Just as I still do too.

Tennille B. Eagle
Little Sister
September 7, 2010

Today I remember Officer Marvin Bland. Marvin was my partner on the 4-12 Shift during 1981 at the Bedford VA.
It is hard to believe that Marvin has been gone for 25 years.I have always remembered Marvin and his calm and professional manner through all these years.
RIP Marvin.

Phil Waldron
Middlesex Sheriff's Office,Billerica,MA
September 6, 2010

Today,I found Marvin's obit that I'd saved back in 1985. I'll always remember "Marvelous" Marvin Bland. I went to Jr. High and High School with him. I sat with him at our 10th year high school reunion. I know he was a good Marine and policeman. But he never lost that gentleness and quiet grace that he had in school. When I see old friends, we always talk about Marvin Bland, one of the first of us to fall, and so, alway young.

Denise Aiken, Esq.
school friend
May 28, 2010

Still remembered by your brother officers of the VA Police, Boston Division.

Michael Giannetti
VA Police, Boston Division
August 28, 2009

I remember when I was a little you would come home to our mothers house and I would look up at you because you were so very tall.An I couldn't wait for you to put me on your shoulders and play with me.I wish you were still here but I know your in a better place an I will see you again.I will LOVE YOU ALWAYS Marvin.

Tennille Eagle
Little Sister
November 29, 2008

I wish I would have had more time to get to know you better.I don't remember much but I do remember you putting me on your shoulders and you running around the house playing with me. An now I can only wish I could your son(Marvin C. Bland Jr.).I will LOVE YOU ALWAY XOXO.

Tennille Eagle
Sister
November 28, 2008

I never had the opportunity to meet Police Officer Marvin C. Bland however I know he left a legacy of patriotism and service to country in his son, Marvin C. Bland Jr. I am sure he would be proud of his son. Thank you for your service to this great country.

Christopher S. DeVault
June 16, 2008

Thank you for your sacrifice.

Former DVA Police Sgt.
Washington, D.C.
May 28, 2008

Rest in peace brother...heros are never forgotten.

Police Officer - Paul Bodenhamer
Dept of Veterans Affairs
April 10, 2008

Officer Bland, thank you for your service. Neither you, nor your sacrifice, will ever be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Michelle - wife of Retired LEO
April 9, 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
March 31, 2008

Marvin was a very good Marine. And sadly missed, I served with him @NAS South Weymouth, MABS-42. I'm sorry our friendship was brief.

SSGT Robert Cyrklis
USMCR Retired Honorably
August 17, 2007

Officer Bland is never forgotten by his brothers from the Boston Division. An officer is always at the Mass Memorial service to represent our fellow officer.

Michael Giannetti
VA Police, Boston, Mass
February 3, 2007

Marvin was the only uncle I knew for a very long time. I miss him so much, writing this is is kind of hard for me. I can remember staying with him on many weekends. I always enjoyed the gifts he sent me when he was away, especially the book of childrens tales and my first kimono. I so miss his son as well "Baby Marvin" as we called him. I hope he remembers the times we spent together. I have 4 children the oldest a girl and the other 3 boys. With each of my pregnancies I would have dreams of my uncle, they would make me upset, but I started to think of them as him talking to me. I tell my oldest son that he has a guardian angel, b/c his birthday is September 6, 1995. My second son is born January 9, 2001, 2 days after Marvin's birthday, for this reason he has Marvin's middle name. In my boys I can see my uncle, so in a way I still have him with me I'm truly blessed for that. I Love and Miss You, Yhana

Yhana
Niece
December 30, 2006

I wish I had the chance to get to know you , you passed when I was so young. But hearing all the stories and seeing all the pictures of you, I feel like you never left us. My mother, grandmother, and aunts all love you and think about you everyday. We also think about your son, Marvin Courtney, my cousin whom I would love to meet again. You are loved and missed always. ---Mikala

Mikala Bland
niece
December 29, 2006

October 30, 2006: I was thinking about my friend, Marvin today, as I have many times over the years since our last meeting. When reading the "Relections" section, I read an entry from his son. That entry gave me mixed emotions. I felt sad at first because I remember the long conversations we had had over his son. You see, I was his partner while I worked there and car-pooled with him to and from work for more shifts than I can remember. We usually drove 45 minutes each way, and we talked about everything. I have never had the opportunity to talk with his son when he became an adult. He was a very little boy at that time. Make no mistake about it, I know him very well since I knew his father's love, ambitions and hopes for his boy. I was happy to read the article that his son wrote. It seems comfirmed that he has the same love for his father that his father had for him. I am very proud to have read his son's reflection today, and to know that his spirit and honor still live on earth in the form of his honorable son. I then laughed, thinking about Marvin's brand new black Pontiac Trans Am that we had to ride in most of the time because he loved it so much. The license plate was personalized: "ECHO." I asked him once, why "ECHO"? He responded, "I am a marine." He then stated "Once a marine, always a marine... SEMPER FI and I like it." I understood and never asked him about it again.I have never forgot my friend and have visited his name on the Police Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. on many occasions. I left that police department less than three months before his last end of watch. I moved to Reno, NV, and have been a police officer my entire adult life (26 year and still going). I have lost three more personal friends through the years during my tenure here in Reno. To all of our family, thank you and stay safe.

DETECTIVE CHARLIE DIMINO
RENO POLICE DEPARTMENT
October 30, 2006

Officer Bland...I never knew you personally, but I'm reminded everyday of your sacrifice, and your service when I enter our locker room for work. The officers here at bedford are proud of your service. I read a reflection by your son, my prayers go out to him and your family, and he is obviously proud of you as a father. It's a testimony to how he was raised. RIP and God Bless your family and those of us left behind to serve.

Ptlmn George LaPenta
VA Police Bedford, Ma
September 22, 2006

Officer Bland, 21 years ago today you were taken from this earth while doing your job. For your efforts on behalf of our Veterans and this great country, I thank you. I know you never truly left your family’s side and probably even ride along with current VA cops from time to time.

God Bless and may you continue to Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.
September 6, 2006

I Would like to thank my father for serving as an example of how a life can and should be lived .I'm not big on words but i'd like to thank him for his service and i'd also like to thank all the brave men and women who protect our country in the military, the police and fire departments , risking their lives everyday for us .

Marvin Bland

Marvin Bland Jr
Son
April 22, 2006

John 11:35

D. Clark
Veterans Affairs
April 12, 2006

Officer Bland,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

September 6, 2005