Officer Down Memorial Page

I said a little prayer today for Zone Sergeant DeGroot and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes
June 19, 2009

"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 20, 2007

Thank you Sir for your dedicated service to the citizens of NY. May you rest in peace, you are not forgotten.

A citizen
February 13, 2007

What a shame that anothers mistake cost you your life. I pray that your family is doing well knowing you are with the Lord now. God Bless you & your family. You died a hero.

Anonymous
Municipal Police Department
August 21, 2005

I remember the first mini-convention ever held by the NJ State PBA in the mid-seventies at the Catskills. The professionalism and courtesy afforded to all of us by the NYSP is something that I have remembered throughout my career and well into retirement.
Thank you for your service Sgt DeGroot. We will pray for you and your family. Rest in peace..

SGT (RET)
NJDOC SOG K9 UNIT
August 13, 2005

Sgt. DeGroot,
As one office wrote in another fallen officer's reflections-"no fallen officer should be without a reflection." Thank you for your service to the citizens of New York.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

February 8, 2005