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
March 2, 2008

SORRY I NEVER GOT TO MEET YOU. YOU AND I ARE SECOND COUSINS ON THE BOOTHE SIDE. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DID. I WILL ALWAYS HAVE HONOR AND RESPECT FOR YOU IN MY HEART.

RHONDA KENNEDY

RHONDA KENNEDY
SECOND COUSIN
April 23, 2006

I JUST FOUND OUT THAT YOU WERE MY FIRST COUSIN'S. YOUR DAD AND MY DAD WERE BROTHERS.NEVER HAD THE OPPERTUNITY TO NO
YOU. DOING OUR FAMILY TREE AND YOU WILL BE INCLUDED.
AUDREY

1ST COUSIN
April 23, 2006

rest in peace constable boothe

aj russell
August 21, 2005

Constable Boothe,
On today, the 33rd anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of McDowell County.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

August 21, 2005