Trooper Robert Paul Perry Jr. South Carolina Highway Patrol South Carolina Wednesday, April 15, 1987  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
2007-11-16

Although it has been twenty years, sometimes in my heart it seems like only yesterday..You were so full of life..
You continue to missed by so many! I know there is a special place in heaven where you now reside..
Thank you to all officers who Protect & Serve!
"Lets' be careful out there"

Karen McCrea
Friend
2007-05-01

Twenty years ago today, has it really been so long. You are still missed. I now see four friends on the WALL when I visit the Police Academy in Columbia. All were good men. All are sorely missed. Perry was the first that I knew placed on the wall. He was my friend and is still missed. Time is suppose to heal all wounds but it does not. Nothing can replace a friend taken, there will always be a small empty place that will refuse to be filled. Why someone would want to do this job is beyond my understanding, but thanks to all of you who choose to do it. Please be careful out there, the WALL is full enough.

Lt. Thomas Dean McCrea
Kingstree Police Department
2007-04-14

Robert & I traveled back and forth to the academy together and was stationed close to each other after graduation. He was a happy person & is often in my thoughts.

Chief Tim Turney
York Tech (SCHP-Retired)
2006-01-31

There is a time in each persons life when you meet someone and you never forget them. You are always here. Forever

2005-09-14

what to say about robert,what cant you say about him!robert was a loving,caring,and all around great guy.he was well known in the family as a very humorous guy.he loved a good joke.we love him dearly and miss him very much.he loved his job with all his heart and always said he wouldnt have it any other way.we love you and you are thought about daily.love always don,tonya,luke, shane,caycee,laura

parker family,cousin

2005-02-03

GOD BLESS. I REMEMBER WELL WHEN THIS YOUNG TROOPER WAS KILLED. OUR PRAYERS ALWAYS TO THE FAMILY. GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER.

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

DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, MY NAME IS DAN ,IM A CLOSE FRIEND OF A VERY DEAR FRIEND OF ROBERT'S. IT'S BEEN SOMETIME SINCE ROBERT HAS ENDED HIS "TOUR OF DUTY" BUT HE IS THOUGHT OF DAILY. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF VISITING THE HALL OF FAME IN COLUMBIA SC. THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THOSE GREAT MEN,WAS A PLAQUE WITH A NAME OF A GREAT COP ON IT. TRP.ROBERT PERRY---AND THERE IN FRONT OF THAT PLAQUE WAS A FELLOW OFFICER,AND BEST FRIEND,AS HE TOUCHED THE PLAQUE,I SAW A TEAR.HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WASNT A BETTER COP ON THE STREET.DONT THINK YOU ARE FORGOTTEN ROBERT,YOUR FRIEND "LT. T.D. McCREA OF KINGSTREE POLICE DEPT. HAS MADE SURE OF THAT..I HOPE THAT THE DAY IM ON THAT WALL I HAVE A FRIEND THAT THINKS AS MUCH OF ME AS HE THINKS OF YOU..........YOUR FRIEND. DAN

DAN(A FRIEND)
KINGSTREE POLICE DEPT.