Officer Down Memorial Page

Rest in Peace, Patrolman Ebeltoft. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169
January 21, 2012

"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
September 20, 2007

Rest in peace and know that you will never be forgotten.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
June 6, 2007

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ
August 17, 2006

Rest in Peace.

June 6, 2006

You were a special officer and a very special friend. You died doing what you loved and will be remebered for that and the hole you left behind in the hearts of all your friends.

A Special Friend
July 6, 2005

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies.....rest in peace, hero.

April 21, 2005

04/27/04

Each day I try to read the ODMP. Today I read your story. No officer who gives his/her life for us need ever be forgotton. You died a hero; rest in peace.

Captain Robert W Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.
April 27, 2004

My wife and Ron's wife met during jury duty before the two of us knew each other. When I worked on his squad for a shift, we became fast friends and the four of us had some fun times. It was shortly after I returned to my regular assignment that we lost Ron. I have known many of our officers killed in the line of duty in my 29 years with the department and all of them hurt. This one hurt the most for both my wife and me and still does after all these years.

Detective Skip Stephenson
San Diego Police
October 21, 2003

No officer that gave his life should be without reflection……

“For those who pledge to uphold it, Freedom requires a sacrifice the protected will never know”

I honor you

Anonymous