Officer Down Memorial Page

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"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 whose 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

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 (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
January 24, 2011

Chief Ethridge your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Hands now brother. May you be resting in peace now.

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee
October 25, 2009

RIP Chief. Your killer got what he deserved. I just wish that they were as swift with punishment today as they were back in 1951. Your service and sacrifice has not been forgotten.

Border Patrol Agent Robert Powell
U.S. Border Patrol
October 23, 2009

Rest in Peace Chief, Thank you for your service.

J. Clendening #407
Glades County Sheriff's Office, FL
October 21, 2009

Chier Ethridge,
It has taken over 58 years, but you are finally being honored. I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citzens of Branchville. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. It took another few months, but your murderer got the justice that he deserved.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
October 20, 2009

CHIEF ETHRIDGE, YOU HAVE SERVED WELL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.
October 20, 2009