Police Officer Kathleen C. Schaefer Houston Police Department Texas Wednesday, August 18, 1982  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

I visited the Police Officer Memorial during police week at Washington DC and had the opportunity to meet some members of your family. I met your grandson and actually took a photo with. You have a wonderful and caring family. Thank you for your service and you will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Ray Winick
Orange PD
2009-09-11

Thankyou for your service OFFICER SCHAEFER, You are a hero for us all to look up too. You are reembered today and everyday and will never be forgotten. God bless your family

POLICE OFFICER 9TH DISTRICT
PHILA PA
2008-12-04

Aunt Kathleen,
I never got to meet you, I wish I would of though. Oct. 21st will be the 1 year Anv. of my father's death. I was named after you and I feel very honored. I hope you and my dad are watching over me and my daughter. I know the officer who shot you didnt mean to but, I just wish he would of took a little closer look because, if he would of you would be here with us today. Atleast you are with Grandma,Grandpa & my daddy! :(

RIP. <33

Kathleen Cochran
Neice
2008-10-18

Officer Schaefer,
On today, the 26th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Houston. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest symapthy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

2008-08-18

"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
2008-02-13

I did not know Kathleen. Frequently, on my way to work and back, I pass by the place where we lost her 25 years ago. Most of the time I glance over and reflect. Other times I just say "thank you". Thank you for your service and R.I.P.

Proudly serving for 27 years
Houston area agency
2007-09-19

YESTERDAY IS HISTORY, TOMORROW IS A MYSTERY AND TODAY IS A GIFT.

OFFICER SCHAEFER, YOU REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND. I SALUTE YOU! MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU, YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. YOU DID NOT LOSE YOUR LIFE, YOU GAVE IT IN SERVICE TO OTHERS. A TRUE HERO INDEED.

THOSE CLOSE TO THIS HERO, PLEASE TAKE COMFORT IN KNOWING THAT I, ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS ACROSS THIS LAND, GRIEVE WITH YOU. KEEP HER IN YOUR HEART, AND PASS HER STORY ALONG. MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

KRISTINA, WHAT A WONDERFUL YOUNG LADY YOU ARE. YOU ARE SO BRAVE AND STRONG. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK KEEPING YOUR GRANDMOTHERS SPIRIT ALIVE. THE BEST OF LUCK IN SCHOOL THIS YEAR. I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

JIM SWEENEY CIVILIAN NEW JERSEY
A FRIEND TO ALL PEACE OFFICERS
2006-09-09

Still remembered...

2006-08-18

Officer Kathleen C. Schaefer, you are a true warrior and centurion on a quest to vanquish and destroy evil, you talked the talk and walked the walk.
Although I never met you, I know you, because I've been there.
You are a special and brave person.

Retired Police Officer EOW 4-16-96

2006-08-18

As you all know it is almost 24 years since my grandmother's death. This is one of the hardest times of the year for my family. There are pictures of my grandmother all over my house so we won't forget her. Thank you for visiting my grandmother's site I know every time someone visits this portion of this site her memory is remembered.

kristina
granddaughter
2006-08-14

Officer Schaefer, Thank you for your service to all of us. I remember the day we lost you. Although I was in Illinois at the time, your loss was felt by my entire squad. God bless you big sister. May you rest in peace for all eternity.

Peace Keeper
SMSgt USAF (Ret)
2006-05-08

I had no idea that friends and family visited this site to leave a reflection for my mother. Just wanted to say thank you for your kind words. The police officers who worked with and knew her. It is nice to see that those who remember her are kind enough to leave messages and short stories of their time with her. I have heard lots of stories through the years but not all. Mom was my name for her also but I know that their were a few that she truly felt she had adopted, took under her wing and loved with all her heart. With that I also got a few more brothers and sisters. To this day two of those officers have become my second parents. Thank you and love you both. Thank you to those who just visit for one time. It is still special that you took the time to visit my blue angels page. Last but not least the whole famiy would like to say accidental gunfire is just that an accident. We wish the best to all the officers that are still out there fighting with their lives for our safety. Be careful on your beat you are all heroes.

Theresa Daughter

2006-04-10

I would like to thank all of you kind officers who spoke so highly of my grandmother. Thanks to people like you who help me paint a picture of who my grandmother was. I just want you to know I cried when I read your reflections.

Kristina
granddaughter
2006-04-10

Kathy was a wonderful person, a good police officer and a true friend. My fondest memory is our trading jokes every night after after roll call and her laughter. She had a quick wit with a sense of humor and a laugh that was infectious. That's a memory that has the power to still make me smile, even now after all these years.

Kristina, I don't know about the other people that read this, but I cry when I remember your grandmother's passing. Most of us that worked with her in patrol were very young back then, and because she was a little older than us we would jokingly call her "Mom". Privately we really thought of her as our older "big sister". We were a small group and very close, but I always thought that she played an important role in bringing us even closer to each other. We cared for her very much and her loss left us all very sad. Twenty-three years later I still feel that way.

Rest in peace big sister.

Lieutenant David Klinger
Houston Police Department
2005-08-30

First I want to say thank you to Officer Schaefer for giving the ultimate sacrifice. There is no greater person than one who would lay down their life for another.
I want to send a message to the granddaughter of Officer Schaefer,
I come from a law enforcement family. From my great grandfather down the generations through my uncles and brother. Be proud of your grandmother, its hard to speak of our loved ones that have gone before us with tears. The greatest way to honor your grandmother is to keep her story going, to make sure that people don't forget.
I am now 28 years old, a Probation Officer and am so proud of my family. The reason that I found your grandmother's name is bc my best friend Timothy Jake Laird was killed on this very day last year. I know what it feels like to lose.
It takes a special type of person to be a police officer...keep your head up, and walk proud :)
May God bless your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family today.

2005-08-18

I was a rookie officer with Houston PD in 1982 when I had the great privilege to partner with Officer Schaefer when we were stationed at the Beechnut Substation. I remember a particular traumatic call we were on together. The Westchase Hilton fire on March 7, 1982, took the lives of twelve people. We assisted at the temporary morgue set up in the parking lot and later to secure the floor where the fire occurred. I am glad she was there with me that day. She was a very professional officer and I was proud to know her.
Rest in peace my sister.

Sgt. Don Timmerman
Rochester MN PD
2005-05-30

A year ago I left my first reflection, when my mother read it she cried. She was only 12 when the incident occured. Sometimes I wonder if Grandma Kathleen were still alive if my life would be different. Of course my mother is very open with her feelings of her mother's death. My Uncle is still not completely over the fact that his mother died before she was supposed to. I hope that anyone who looks at this reflection and cry as my mother did.

Kristina Boundy, Granddaughter

2005-04-13

May we never forget this brave Warrior...May her Family, Fellow Officers, and Friends have found Peace in their hearts..Rest in Peace Blue Angel....

Officer Debra McFall Ross
East Buffalo Twp Police Dept
2004-08-18

06/10/04

Each day I try to read the ODMP. Today I read your story. Any officer who dies in the line of duty will always be remembered for her sacrifice. You died a hero. Rest in peace Officer Schaefer.

Captain Robert W Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.
2004-06-10

I never knew my grandmother but have learned great things about her. I'm 11 yrs old and have a new grandmother. I still miss my Grandmother and when I die I hope I met her at the pearly gates. I am teaching my homeroom class what my family has been through I cry every time I talk about it but they understand

Grandduaghter, Kristina Boundy

2004-05-17

God Bless you

CPD

She was a loving mother, a dedicated officer, and good friend. Her death touch so many of us that worked and fellowshiped with her. May her children always remember the supreme sacrifice that she gave.

Joe Willis
Anderson County Dist. Att. Office