Trooper Richard D. Oldaker Oklahoma Highway Patrol Oklahoma Monday, July 3, 1978  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

"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
2008-01-09

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

2006-05-11

Believe it or not, Richard Oldaker gave me a ticket for my first moving violation when I was a teenager in 1970.

I was sixteen years old, living in Tulsa, and terrified that an OHP trooper had even seen me moving down the highway. The troopers were second only to God. He observed me making a violation three blocks from my parent's house.

I made a "moving stop" through a stop sign and despite that, he was extremely professional. (I was truly guilty of the offense)

Later, when I was in college, I joined the Dallas Police, and later the Texas Dept of Public Safety, the DEA, and finally retired from the United States Central Intelligence Agency.

In 1978, I learned from a law enforcement friend in Oklahoma that Richard had died in the line of duty. He was a professional's professsional and a stand up guy.

Take it from a scared 16 year old kid in 1969 who saw those red and white lights in his rear view mirror. He was a trooper's trooper and a man's man.

What a "stand up guy".

I wish I could have a drink with him today.

I'll never forget.

John S. Swartz
Houston, Texas

John Swartaz
DEA Retired
2006-01-11

I worked with Richard years ago when we both served on the Norman Police Department before he went to the OHP. I just ran across this site. Richard was a good friend and officer. My prayers are with him.

Jerry Jensen
Norman Police Department
2004-05-17

Richard is and will continue to be missed. He had such a positive person. I had the opportunity to attend some college courses with him and other Troopers, we learned a little but certainly had a great time. Always in a good mood and ready with a joke, but rest assured he would be the one you would want backing you on a hot call. It was an honor knowing him.

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham
Sand Springs Police Department