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
December 31, 2007

Andy, We continue to miss you, we speak of you often and remember you with love and affection. Johnnie, Ryan and Jody Edwards.

October 16, 2007

Andy, We continue to miss you, we speak of you often and remember you with love and affection. Johnnie, Ryan and Jody Edwards.

October 16, 2007

Rest In Peace

We continue the fight for you brother and you are not forgotten by your department we honor you daily by wearing the uniform proudly and remembering the fallen brothers and sisters that came before us

detective scott alexander
columbus division of police
July 22, 2007

On behalf of the Fraternal Order of Police, Capital City lodge #9 in Columbus, Ohio we are very sorry for the loss of your life while serving your community and our country! God bless your family!

President Jim Gilbert
Fraternal Order of Police,Capital City Lodge #9, Columbus, Ohio
July 9, 2007

Dear Officer Edwards,
I was a fifteen year old kid when you were so cold-bloodedly cut down. Before that tragic night, I had already made up my young mind that someday I wanted very much to be a Columbus Policeman. I remember watching policemen drive by my house...others would stop by my class and give public relations talks. I would listen to my Grandpa's police scanner late into the night. I would dream of showing up on those runs with the voices I heard at the other end.

In 1969 a masked robber rushed into my Grandfather's grocery store. I was 12 and scared out of my mind! The bad guy got away, but when several policemen bravely stormed through the front door, with shotguns and pistols at the ready, I thought to myself that there could be no more a noble calling.
Your passing followed on the heels of another hero's passing, Dale Staton. I followed very closely the news accounts of both of your tragic deaths. I would sit up late at night and listen to the police scanner, hoping and praying that someday I could make the grade, and fill the shoes of so many heroes, such as you. And, I'll never forget...at the time of your death, I had been hired as a roofers helper. On the day of your funeral I was working with a crew high up on someone's home. It gave me a great view over a large part of the city. All of a sudden I viewed several CPD helicopters flying the missing man formation off in the distance. It was a very somber, but touching sight.
Although we never met, I feel as if we've been friends for a long time. And I want to thank you for your bravery and courage back then...making a young teenager feel protected by heroes such as you.
Sleep well my friend.

Retired P.O. Dan Cockerham
Columbus Div. of Police
November 18, 2005

Andy and I were high school classmates who joined the CPD about the same time. Andy was a good friend and a great cop. Had he lived, I'm sure he would have been the Chief of CPD. I will never forget him.

My best to his family.

Sgt Tom Cooper
Sacramento Police Department

Sgt. Tom Cooper
Sacramento Police Department