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
November 7, 2007

Officer Fletcher, maybe some day you'll be able to ask the Judge who granted your suspects sentence reduction what was the basis for his decision. If and until that day arrives, I do not think anybody will ever be able to make any sense of that decision. Regardless, you are a true hero my friend and will never, ever be forgotten for your sacrifice. Rest in peace always.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
June 12, 2007

Just when I thought I could not be embarrassed any further by our court systems, I read Officer Fletcher's memorial. Simply and completely unbelievable that a murderer of two people committing a forceable felony could be released EVER, let alone after only SIXTEEN YEARS! I can only hope that the perp never committed another crime (any takers?)

Officer Fletcher... you are a hero and will be remembered as long as the thin blue line remains...

SWAT Officer
Gwinnett County Police (GA)
May 14, 2007

rest easy officer fletcher ... we'll carry on the watch.

February 25, 2005

The scum who murdered this Police Offficer can petition the courts for a change of name, but what is actually needed is a change of heart... once a murderer always a murderer... God bless the cherished memory of this officer by his family, friends and other loved ones...

~~~Eternally and Always~~~

I didn't get to say goodbye
You're gone without a reason why
I've loved you all of my life
and then you weren't there

I didn't get a chance to say
how much I cared
I can't even remember the tears
that I cried
All I really wanted was to tell you
Goodbye

When I last saw you I felt I wouldn't
see you again
There was a distance between us
that I couldn't explain
You wouldn't look
at me but I could see the tears
in your eyes
If you knew then
You should have told me
Then I could have said
Goodbye

So many words left unspoken
So many hearts left so broken
My love for you is forever
And that will never die
We'll be together always
Our souls are one with God
Eternally and Always
I'll never have to say
Goodbye

Anonymous

February 3, 2005

Carlton, it was honor to walk for you and to have placed a flowers at your resting spot on May 14, 2004. Your service will always be remembered.

Lt. Stephen A. Joy
Prince George's County Police
May 18, 2004