Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Deputy Sheriff Joel Dean Hughes

Pickens County Sheriff's Office, South Carolina

End of Watch Wednesday, October 7, 1981

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Deputy Sheriff Joel Dean Hughes

Thank you for your service and know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

October 7, 2020

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 28th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

What beautiful reflections from your wife and son. You were an amazing man who is loved and missed.
Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

October 7, 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

November 16, 2007

Today on the anniversary of your death we remember you and thank you Sir for your service.

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 7, 2007

It seems we had such a short time together. It has now been twenty-five years since your death. A day does not pass that I do not think of you. I was always so proud of you. The job you did, and the things you stood for.

The years since 1981 have often been very lonely. I have cried so many tears. Not for my on sadness, but for the things that you have missed. Like watching our sons grow up, and now we have grandchildren.

I know that God has given you eternal peace and rest. I like to think that I didn't loose you my dear husband, for I know exactly where you are. And I know that some day we will see each other again.

I miss you.
Jackie

wife, Jackie

November 23, 2006

I think the best testiment to the value of your life was in the reflection left by your son.A man remembered with so much love and respect will never die but will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of others.May you sleep safe with Our Lord and may He Bless your family now and ever.

October 7, 2006

Thank you for your service. Many years have past since your death, but you are not forgotten. God bless you brother.

Patrol Officer
Chesterfield County Police Department, VA.

October 7, 2006

It's not a particular anniversary, nor a special occasion of any sort. It's only the thoughts of a loving son, who misses his Dad every day. I weep when I look upon my own children and know how proud you would have been to meet them, to spoil them...to love them.

I wonder quietly how our lives would be different had you not gone to work that day, if you were still with us now. It's my nature to question these things...but I know that it was God's will. I know that you fellowship now, with your Father and share the love only known between fathers and sons.

I thought a lot about you today, how in the few years we had you taught me to be Noble and Honorable, the importance of Truth, Self Sacrifice, Deligence. Even though I did not choose to pursue law enforcement as my career, I want you to know that all I ever wanted when I was young, was to be like you.

Thank you for everything you did for me, for being a father that knew how important it was to teach his sons the difference between right and wrong, how to help those around us but most importantly how to love each other as a family.

I love you and I miss you.

Howard Scott Hughes
Loving Son

August 17, 2006

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

God bless. Rest in peace.

A grateful citizen.

October 7, 2004

10-07-03, MAY GOD BLESS YOU. GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RETIRED
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

October 7, 2003

The policeman stood and faced his God,which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman. How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?
The policeman squared his shoulders and said.
"No, I guess I ain't because those of us who carry a badge can't always be a Saint."
I've had to work most Sundays
and at times my talk is rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep...
though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills got to steep.
And I never passed a cry for help
though at times I shook with fear,
and sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here.
They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much, but if you don't...I'll understand"
There was a silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman.
You've borne you burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets.
You've done your time in Hell"

G. Houston
South Carolina

September 19, 2003

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