Patrolman Manuel Olivas New Mexico State Police New Mexico Friday, February 1, 1985  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH
2008-01-28

"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
2007-12-17

We went to go see your vfriends today Dad, and we finally planted the tree. I was happy to see your friends, and i was happy to be there. Veronica helped too, and she was the strongest. God made a strong family, and I see how powerful He really is. You ARE remembered, and you ARE loved Dad. You always will be. I had been living my life, still learning and I have been living it as close to Him as I can be. I am finally off to basic, and i know you are watching. When we got there I could feel something very special. It was something SO strong. I began to see everything linking together. The mountains, Jesus, the county, St. Michael, and La Virgen, as well as all the Saints. I know God renews everything and eveybody everyday, but today was something very special. It was different. I could feel Him stronger than usual. I wont forget Him, and I will Always remember. I will work harder than yesterday. Dad, I know Mom was there even though she was at Apas and Amas. Dad...I love you.

Manuel Olivas Jr.
Son
2007-04-15

Hi - I remember Manuel very well, he had been one of my training officers at the Roswell PD before he went back to the State Police. He was a really great guy, good sense of humor, very sharp / dedicated to his work and his fellow officers. I was very sad when I heard that he had been killed. No doubt he carries on for the rest of us in a better, higher place. Best wishes -

C.J. Payne
Roswell PD
2007-01-29

Hi Dad its me. I had been thinking about you and St. Michael. I went to go clear your stone, as well as Panchos. They has Gods snow on them. I had mailed your friends a little while back and i know you see whats going on in our lives. I want to continue to plant a tree in memory of you. Captain Toby Dolan said that it would be a great idea, and i think it would be a great pleasure and honor to meet him. I have yet to learn more about love and honor dad. I guess the heart can learn a great deal more and more each day. I had been working on a speech just in case I get to say something, which I would love to, and I would need to. I hadnt been loyal in the past dad, and I need to appoligize to your friends...Our friends. I didnt mean to take advantage, but I did. I feel that I will pay the price in the future, but I feel that i deserve it. BUT I will not get down. I hadnt been loyal, respectful, nor loving to myself lately, but I will get back up. I had disrespected myself. I know you see, and I wont let it get the best of me. I will Look up to Him and realize what he has done for me. I will learn. I will try my HARDEST. I realized that God has you in his possession, and he has us in his possession too. I saw what Veronica had to say. One day we will all be united as one. I just KNOW we will, but we all have tasks to complete in the meantime. I know you see mom in her condition, and i know you see me and how im doing. We had NO idea it would come to this. I keep my faith and trust in God. I dont look down on the situation, and I dont think bad of anything. If anything I thank Him for what he has done for me and for what he has given me. I know he made mom strong, but I wont take advantage of that. I love mom, and I love you too. I know she misses you because I can see it in her face. I know she does. I know I have to do what i am supposed to do with the heart with love. I havent tried as hard as I should be, but I will try harder now. i Plan on keeping in touch this way as well as in my thoughts, my feelings, my prayers, and my Smiles. i will keep you in my heart, and in my thoughts forever until we get to see eachother, and I know that You would want me to keep God first, and keep Mom next to him. Ill keep in touch Dad. Happy New Year Dad. I Love You

" see that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you; that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 18:10

Manuel Olivas Jr.
Son
2006-12-31

It has been about 21 years since my daddy was taken away from us. I still remember like it was yesterday. I remember my dad so well. He would always take me everywhere and we would do so much together. We would go fishing and he even took me hunting. I still remember smelling his after shave and the smell of the tobacco from his pipe. After coming home from work, I would run up to him and give him a big hug. His badge and the buttons on his uniform felt so cold up against my cheek. I miss that feeling. I felt so secure knowing that he was with me. My dad would always joke around and he was always laughing. I think I inherited that trait from him. My dad was the world to me. I love you daddy!

Veronica (Olivas) Gonzales
daughter
2006-10-28

Hi dad. It has been a while since I have visited this site, and it has been a while since i have visited your friends. I have realized what true love is now. and I know what i have to do. I know what I want to do too. I want to make it up to you, and I want to make it up to your friends fotr that is what you told me to do. I have learned the measning of discipline, as each day goes by, and i have learned the meaning of a smile as well. I have seen you in my heart, and i know MOM and Veronica see you there too. I want to ask for forgiveness, and i know you would want me to ask God for forgiveness first. And that is what i do. I will go to your friends, and I will make it better. I know that I cannot make it all right, but I do know this....That I can make things better. And i know to do it with a smile. I want to ask your friends if they would let me plant a tree in memory of you. I want to ask them if they would like to do it with Mom, Veronica, and me, as well as with God. I would like to do so for a tree is of renewal. Renewal came for the family, and it came for the heart by the love of God. He showed me, and i look back at all the horrible, rotten things I did. I want to tell you that I am sorry with all my heart, but that I am not a sorry person with a sorry heart. I want a weeping willow planted in memory of You, St. Michael, and God. He showed me to straighten out, and I KNOW you are there watching because i felt you. I want a weeping willow tree too because it is mom's favorite tree. I know she still has you there, and I know Veronica has you there too. I have you there too, and i know that you know that. I just wanted to puit it down on paper so i could see it next to You, St. Michael, The Vigin Mary, Jesus, and God when i see you in heaven. I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART, and we miss you. I will see you some day...Love, Manuel Jr.

Manuel Olivas Jr
Son
2006-08-03

21 yrs. ago today. Not to be forgotten. God bless the Olivas family.

Ret. PO
City of Miami PD (Fla)
2006-02-01

Manny I had the honor and pleasure of serving with you on the Roswell NM Police Department . I attended your funeral. You are missed and another one of us has fallen from that thin blue line. I miss you and have seen your name on the wall in Washington D.C. Rest in Peace Brother you job is done.

Sgt. E. Hoffman
Michigan Dept. of Corrections
2005-11-22

May God Always Bless You...Love Your Loved Ones...THE OLIVAS FAMILY

Son
citizen
2004-11-09

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Patrolman Olivas. Thank you officer for your service and dedication. Rest in peace.

Police Academy Student, Eric Alexander

2004-10-31

Rest in peace Brother Manuel, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten.


Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham
Sand Springs PD OK
2004-01-10