Trooper Ronald Gordon Smith Florida Highway Patrol Florida Sunday, December 23, 1973  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

VanDenBerghe
manchester, nh
2007-12-22

"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
2007-12-12

Ron, You and I had coffee the morning before that fateful day. You were my friend and co-worker. Having to have to see you the next morning lying dead from so many bullet wounds hurt so bad and then having to conduct the homicide investigation for the Department ingrained every detail of you cold blooded murder. It took 18 years before your daughter came up to me at one of the so many resentencing hearings and was old enough to ask me to set down with her and tell her all that I knew about you and your passing. It was one of the many times that I had to relived those days. And it gave me a measure of closure.
Ron I often think back to those days and wonder where you would be had not your life been snuffed out.
I remember our coffee break conversation the day before and how excited you were about going to Tallahassee and bring your wife and child back to a new home as a christmas present. How you worried about your daughter and the ear infection she had.
I know you fought back that day. Empting you weapon in an attempt to defend yourself but the fatal wounds had already been inflicted.
Thank God for the hunters who witnessed the attack upon you and lended a hand to help. They were the reason we had the attackers to try and send to there punishment.
I have and will remeber you all my days because you were my brother and I never forget that there by the grace of God go I.
It was the ultimate act. Rick Peters

Sgt. R.J. (Rick) Peters
Retired FHP 32 years service
2007-11-04

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
2007-10-02

What you did in service to your community meant more than you'd ever guess - Thank you so much for your service

Sgt Don "Boots" Jensen Retired
Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee, WI
2007-05-19

I know a couple of hunters that come hunt in Oklahoma anytime! It gives me hope that there are good citizens out there that will come to a hero's aid.

Greg

2007-03-29

Ronnie I remember that day so long ago. You being my first cousin I have always been proud of you and think of you often. you and uncle Harry are one reason I became a Law Enforcement officer.

Deputy Rick Pararo
Leon County S.O.
2006-03-16

even if i didnt get to meet you my grandmother talked of u often i love you uncle ronnie and hold you and other heros in high regards.

madeline waters
(Beth nobles)

mandee waters

2005-09-28

You were killed just after I was born but my vehicles checks could have gone the same way. You kept the public safe and I will try to do the same as my father did before me.
I hope your force keep your memory alive,

Police Constable Neil Bowles
Metropolitan Police Service England
2005-06-07

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

A hero never dies...

Rest in peace, hero.

2004-12-23

We will always remember your sacrifice.

TROOPER
FHP
2004-05-31

Dear Trooper Smith,
I was in the police academy in north Florida when I had first heard about what had happened to you. My instructor bragged about how he transported one of your killers to the Citrus county jail in 1973. Eventhough that class was in 1988 and it's been over thirty years since you paid that ultimate sacrifice that day, you are not forgotten my brother! Walk safe in heaven and until then...

Respectfully,
Deputy Adam Hobbs
Polk County Sheriff's Office
Bartow, Fl..

DEPUTY ADAM HOBBS
POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
2004-05-19

You made the ultimate sacrifice on this job before I was even born, but I can honestly say that I think of all of my brothers in law enforcement who did so every day. All of us have checked suspicious cars countless times, and we've all been a little luckier than you were on that fateful day. I wish I could have been there for you that night......
Salute

Dearborn P.D. (MI)
2004-04-30

Rest in peace Trooper, your bravery is remembered.

Ofc. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Dept.
2004-03-25

I DIDN'T KNOW YOU, BUT I THINK OF YOU AND OTHER FALLEN TROOPERS OFTEN.

TPR. S.W. COODY
FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL
2003-10-21