Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

"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 19, 2007

Paul,
15 years after you were taken from us, our family still thinks about you every day. I doesn't take much for me to recall a story about you and start singing your praises to whoever I am talking to. To this day, I still brag about you. No matter what, no one could ever compare to my Uncle Paul.
We were so close in age that we were more like brothers. I still try to pattern myself after you and try to live my life in a way that you would have approved. I know that you are always watching over me and the rest of our family. Our guardian angel.
You were and always will be, the "star" of our family. Your influence on us is still felt today. Even our little nieces and nephews, born long after your death, know who "Uncle Paul" is.
I miss you every day of my life. There are so many things I wish I could have shared with you. So many things I wish you could have been here for. And how much better life could have been.
I know that you are always all around us. Watching over us. Protecting us.
I love you, Uncle Paul!

Lawrence C. Fullam
Nephew

July 23, 2007

Paul its been a long time since we lost you.You are not forgotten. We became friends when we bowled on the Housing Police Bowling League.May you rest in peace

Ret Det Rosemary Forkin
Friend

August 22, 2006

Remembering you 14 years later. Rest in peace.

Retired Housing
coworker

July 17, 2006

Paul, it's been many years since you were taken from us. A good cop always there on the back, a great mind and one that had a nack for fun to break up the stress of the job. When we meet again we will laugh about what all of at PSA 4 did together. Honor Courage Faith. Be well my friend. You are not forgotten.

Po Jack Dineen
NYPD

December 11, 2005

I remember Paul being mature and fun to be around. Being a practical joker, he once pulled his Police Car (RMP) next to mine and threw a water balloon at my partner and I. We got him back with some pranks of our own. Once he was trying to quit smoking and a person threatening to jump from the roof of Smith Houses in lower Manhattan jumped and was falling toward Paul who ran out of the way. After the stress of that he starting smoking again. I recall he started going back to school. He was a gentleman.

Seregeant Michael Murphy
NYPD

February 25, 2005

Officer Heidelberger, you gave your life in an effort to keep the peace and to protect others. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace.

Auxiliary Police Officer Charles Smith
New York City Police Department - Auxiliary Police Section

April 3, 2004

Rest in peace blue angel.

S. Yates
Concerned citizenl

You did not die in vain nor will you be forgotten. Rest easy.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)