Sergeant James David Perry Tennessee Highway Patrol Tennessee Sunday, October 3, 1999  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

Your heroism and service is honored today, the tenth anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

2009-10-03

"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
2008-01-30

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service.

vandenberghe
nh
2007-10-15

James,

Thank you brother for your service and dedication.

God Speed... I will pray for your family and friends..

2007-09-14

Jimmy, I honor you. With brotherly love and respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer.)

Jim Crotty, Special Agent (Ret.)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms
2004-11-05

James you are missed with great sorrow and remembered with great happiness. What a true honor to have you as a friend and fellow motorcyclist. Your antics, humor and joy for life has carved a road in the twisting hills of life for me to follow. You may be gone but never will you be forgot.

Anonymous

From your friends and co-workers of the Columbia Police Dept. Thanks for a job well done and you will be sadly missed!!

Columbia, TN PD

Anonymous

Law Officers:
I would like to say "thank you" on behalf of my family. You all were a tremendous help when things got very hard for us. My father died doing what he loved to do.

I would also like to thank you all for doing a sometimes thanksless job. There are many of us out there who realize how much we depend on you.

LTJG Christopher Perry
US Navy

Jimmy,

I was on shift the day it happened, crying and sick that I could not reach through the airwaves to help you when you needed me the most. But, I am comforted by the honor of having known you and worked with you for 20+ years. I am also comforted with the knowledge that Jimmy Buffett's music is echoing against the jasper walls as a decked out Honda Goldwing careens over Heaven's streets of gold.

We in the radio room miss you, your smile, and your kindness toward us.

Keep the Coronas cold.

Communications
Tennessee Highway Patrol

Jim,

It has been many years since I have seen or talked to you. But know this, you have always been one of the happiest/go/lucky people that I was ever around. I remember all the good times, jokes that we pulled, and all the laughes that you brought to me before I left Giles County, many-many years ago. It seemed that you always had a smile on your face and something "cute" to say.

It is strange that I find out of your passing today, because I thought of you just a few days ago. Know this, you brought honor to the THP!!!!

An Old Friend.

Lieutenant Greg Roberts
US Tennessee Valley Authority Police