Officer Down Memorial Page

My friend, my co-worker, my fishing buddy, my idol, who I copied with the same hair-do back then. I never knew a nicer, kinder, more fun to be around guy than you Lane. I only knew you such a short time, less than a year, but your willingness to help your fellow man was obvious, even to the last minute of your life. I will never forget you and I still think about you all the time. almost 35 years later.

I look forward to seeing you again in our next life Wookie.

Undercover Agent Rick Ward
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics
March 12, 2012

RIP 32 years ago today you died a hero.

Cpl. Michael Barnes
Burr Ridge Police Dept
September 14, 2011

Agent Caldwell, You are not forgotten. God bless you and your family who lost you. Please watch over your brothers and sisters in blue.

SSA Ellen Pierson
US ICE
August 22, 2010

I will be wearing your memory bracelet again this year during the COPS Across Illinois 400 mile charity bicycle ride. Last year you were honor and your story told to start the ride. In your honor...

Cpl Mike Barnes
Burr Ridge Police Department
June 5, 2010

You are still missed by all that knew you and those of us who never got the honor.

Agent
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics
May 31, 2010

I'll never forget getting the call that you were down. I had never realized how far it was from Starkville, where I was working that day, to Corinth. I stopped in Tupelo and picked up Rickey Pete and we continued on together. I'm not sure I could have made it all the way without him. I still miss you and think about you often.

Anonymous
February 2, 2010

I learned today that you will be honored at the start of the COPS Across Illinois Ride on July 15th. We are participating in your name along with a fallen friend. www.ilcops.org
I learned recently about the hero that you were on the day of your passing. It has helped me start to heal...

Cpl Mike Barnes
Burr Ridge IL
June 26, 2009

I arrived at work my first day at the Booneville Police Department to learn of my friend Lane Caldwell's death in the line of duty the evening before. I was devastated, since I had just seen him a few days before. Lane and I went to Northeast Mississippi Community College and were in the Tiger Band together. We were good friends. I knew him as an Agent with drive and determination and someone always willing to help a fellow officer or friend. That's what he was doing that day on a call, assisting another local Deputy Sheriff. He placed himself in danger protecting the deputy and the kidnapping victim when he saw the gun the man had. He died doing what he loved, far too young. All of us who knew Lane personally and had the privilege of being his friend think of him often and reflect on what he may have become had his life and career not been cut so short by this tragedy.
May God continue to bless his family and friends with their good memories of him with the confidence Lane is watching over each of us.

Terry R. Cox - Former MBN Agent
Friend of a Good Man
May 31, 2009

Keeping you in my thoughts during this Police Memorial Week! I will never forget your sacrifice nor the sacrifice of your family with your falling in the line of duty.

Cpl. Mike Barnes
Burr Ridge PD
May 14, 2009

I was to young to understand what happened. I can only imagine the type of man you were and your desire to put away the bad guy.
I am older now and wish I could understand what happened...I have tried to locate records and was told they were destroyed. I have made phone calls and left messages but none have been returned.
I can only say that I am sorry that this happened to you and your family. It isn't something that any of us can change...but it is something that I think about daily.
I hope your family's suffering has some how subsided, although as a dad myself I am not sure if that is possible.
Again I am so sorry and will never forget your sacrifice.

I pray for them

Cpl. Michael Barnes
Burr Ridge Illinois
July 13, 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 © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
December 3, 2007

Your death was that of a hero. You were assisting the local Sheriff with a domestic/kidnapping with a suspect that you knew. We have a yearly award dedicated to you for the Agent who has put his/her life on the line for others, as you did. I've tried so hard to get the administration to pull the records, to show the world what kind of hero you were, what you did in the lose of your life. I walk by the photos of you and the other Agents that have lost their lives in the line of duty. I wonder if I have what it takes to be among your likes. I do try. I've spent my time undercover(playing the scumbag), as we all have. I'm now a top side Agent, running informants and trying to slow the tide of narcotics into our state. You and the other three we've lost would not know our state now. Meth has swallowed us alive, and crack is a distant memory. We fight the battle everyday, with fewer Agents, less money, and less equipment than ever. Please watch over us, as we struggle against evil. Thank you Lane. Many in our state don't know the price you paid, or even know that you ever existed, but I do. Yours was a price I think of EVERYDAY.

Agent Brad Fowler
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics
January 18, 2005

You will never be forgotten, God bless you. REST IN PEACE

TMP
May 24, 2004