 | Lieutenant James M. West Sr.
Decatur County Sheriff's Office
Georgia
Tuesday, October 28, 1980 |
Lt. West, Thank You for your service and dedication to your family, friends, job, and the community you served. Sir your memory will never fade and you will always be remembered. GOD BLESS & Rest In Peace! Detention Deputy G. Carew
Seminole CO. Sheriff's Office, FL J.E.P.C.F.
2009-02-26
RIP.You will not be forgotten. Anonymous
2008-10-31
"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
2007-12-23
My mother was extremely proud of you and your service. Although I only met you briefly as a small child enjoying a Georgia summer in 1966, you still continue to impact my life as I meet dozens of people from around the country who knew you from Bainbridge. Rest in peace Uncle James, and may God continue to allow your memory to have a positive impact on the lives of those you served and their children's children. Gerald Phipps
Nephew
2007-11-16
You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH
2007-10-26
Just a note to say that you are not forgotten. Doug Teachworth
Lynnwood, WA PD
2007-07-20
Lt. West,
He was a gentleman, and respected by members of the county which he served. Lt. West overcame several lifethreatening ordeals before his life was cut short. I remember the night in Climax, GA where he and my dad, the Chief of Police, located an railcar leaking ammonia. Lt. West literal helped save a town that night. Rest in peace, and God bless your family. Deputy Ben Carroll
Clay County Sheriff, Florida
2005-08-12
Lieutenant West after all of these years you are still remembered as a hero! God bless you sir. Ofcr. Dan Winger
LBCCPD, Ret.
2005-03-18
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