Police Officer Freddie Dukes Philadelphia Police Department Pennsylvania Tuesday, December 25, 1990  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

class act

Anonymous

2009-05-19

Merry Christmas to the family and friends of Officer Dukes. I was just a kid when you passed. I'm sorry that your family has had to live so many Christmases without.

God rest, hero.

Laura
Philadelphia, PA
2008-12-23

I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT NIGHT. I STILL SEE YOUR FACE LOOKING AT ME. I AM SO SORRY I FAILED YOU! I HAVE NOT WORN A SHIELD SINCE THAT NIGHT. YOU WILL ALLWAYS BE A HERO TO ME. I JUST NEEDED TO SAY THAT, AND THAT I AM SORRY I FAILED TO SAVE YOU.

Pastor Stephan Mambazo
Restoration Christian Ministries
2008-05-07

"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
2008-01-24

Here we are again sir, one year later honoring and remembering you as always. Merry Christmas.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
2007-12-25

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

VanDenBerghe
Manchester, NH
2007-12-23

I never forgot what a pleasure it was to work with you in the 14th District many years ago. You worked hard and kept us laughing. Truly missed....

Chief Inspector
Philadelphia Police
2007-05-22

Never Forgotten, Brother of Peace. Merry Christmas.

Det Krebs
SWDD
2006-12-26

Merry Christmas, Freddie... I know you're still watching over us after all these years. God Bless You.

E.D.
Philadelphia PD
2006-12-24

I cannot imagine the feelings of sorrow and despair your family must feel at Christmas time, a time when there should be so much happiness and joy for everyone. Hopefully they take much comfort knowing that you left us a hero and as everyone knows, a hero never dies. Your sacrifice that day will never be forgotten by anyone in the law enforcement community, especially your brother and sister officers just to the South of you. Thank you always.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
2006-09-24

To my youngest brother...
I think of you all the time especially around Xmas time.
I stay in contact with two of your sons,Keith and Maurice all of the time. We miss you so much. Xmas have not been the same since you left us. Rest In Peace Little Brother.

Love You Always,
Your Sister

Annie Mae
Sister
2006-07-23

Well Fred....Monday, April 10, 2006 I will be going to court again for you. Criminal Justice Court (CJC) Room 305,
Ronald Gibson will try and overturn his conviction. I'll let you know how we makeout. Rest in Peace my friend.
Terry J.

Terry Jesberger Retired HP
Philadelphia Police-Highway Patrol
2006-04-09

15 years ago today...... r.i.p. Officer dukes.....

Pankil

2005-12-25

Uncle Freddie, I love and have missed you for so long that sometimes I just sit around wonder what you would be doing right now.

I still can't believe that you are gone.
The night that we first got the call from Rhonda that you were shot and was at the hospital I said to myself that you were going to be okay because, I knew that you were not going to let some little bullets get you down.
But, when I heard that you had died, I said " uncle freddie" you weren't supposed to let this happen, you were supposed to get over this and get back your job as being a father, a brother, uncle, and last but least, a cop. But, that's okay, because we LOVE YOU ANYWAY.

Shelly (niece)

Michelle Johnson

2005-12-14

Uncle Freddie... It has been a long time since I have been able to talk to you, but it sure feels good. It feels like you right here with me or at least on the other side of this computer. Since your death, things have surely changed alot. I am a married woman and I have two kids name Nicole age 9, and Kevin age 4. My husband's name is Robert. Uncle Freddie, I gotta tell you, he is just like you, he likes to play jokes on us all the time, he stays on Chrissy and Jackie's back, and most of all, he loves your sister. As I sit here and look at your picture, it is very hard for me to concentrate on what I am doing because I still can't believe that you are gone. You know, I was a little upset with you at first for letting a few little bullets get you down. But, as we all know everything happens for a reason, and I think I know what that reason was, for me at least. It was to show me that families do stick and become stronger than we realize. For instance, uncle Thomas has done a big turn around. He and mommy have gotten alot closer than they were before.

He was there for her when Grandmom Dukes died. So, that's what I meant when I said that your death brought our family closer.

I love you and I definitely MISS YOU with all my heart.
Until next time we talk again.

Your Niece,
Shelly
12-14-05
Mommy misses you alot.

Michelle Johnson(niece)

2005-12-14

UNCLE, JUST AS I TOLD YOU. I HAVE LOCATED YOUR 2 YOUNGER BOYS. (1)YOUR OLDEST IS ALWAYS IN CONTACT WITH US. (2)YOUR MIDDLE IS LIVING ON THE WEST COAST W/HIS GIRLFRIEND SINCE EARLIER THIS YEAR. (3)YOUR YOUNGEST, WELL HE IS & HAVE BEEN LOCKED UP FOR SOME TIME NOW. I WAS GIVEN HIS ADDRESS & WROTE HIM & HE ACTUALLY WROTE ME BACK. I WON'T GO AS FAR AS TO SAY WHY HE IS CONVICTED BUT BELIEVE ME - YOU WOULD NOT HAVE TOLERATED IT. WELL I JUST WANTED TO UPDATE YOU ON YOUR CHILDREN. LOVE, YOUR NIECE CHRISTEL POTTS.

2005-09-29

We miss you so much....
The day I heard of your death I could
not believe the biggest and strongest man I've known in my life was gone. Christmas has not been the same in our family. Writing this now makes my heart full and memories start to flow. Rest in Peace my dear uncle.
For those that knew you thanks and for the ones that never had a chance to met you I'm sorry......
We miss you so much

Jacqueline Devine (niece)

2005-09-22

UNCLE FREDDIE...FIRST I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I STILL LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART...YOU ARE TRULY MISSED BY THE FAMILY...MY MOM (YOUR ONLY SIS) TALK ABOUT YOU ALL THE TIME...BUT, UNCLE YOU AND I STARTED GETTING VERY CLOSE THE YEAR YOU WERE TAKEN FROM ME...AT FIRST, I WAS ANGRY BUT NOW I REALIZE THAT YOU ARE IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE...I'M SORRY I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE BOYS ARE BUT I WILL FIND THEM...LOVE YOU - YOUR YOUNGEST NIECE, CHRISTEL POTTS. YOU WILL HEAR FROM ME AGAIN..

2005-09-22

I still think of you, my friend, the times we shared in the Academy and then on the streets. I retired from Law Enforcement and life has moved on. I finished my career in a new agency but I still run into the folks we worked with. None who knew you will ever forget. Every Christmas Eve, I relive getting the call from Bernie telling you were gone. Its still hard to believe. We were all at your "Home Going" service, even your new buddies from Highway. I went to the LEO Memorial to make sure you're represented. Thanks for the good times and look for me when I get to Heaven.
Rick(Book)Booker

Rick Booker, Parole Agent
PBPP
2004-02-01

No officer that gave his life should be without reflection……

“For those who pledge to uphold it, Freedom requires a sacrifice the protected will never know”

2003-12-24