Trooper Lynn McCarthy Ross Tennessee Highway Patrol Tennessee Wednesday, July 26, 2000  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

"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

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Trooper Ross on the anniversary of his passing.
Heros are never forgotten.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia
2007-07-26

i was awtching tv a few yrs back and this accident came on the news .i told my wife he looked familar to me ,well it turned out i went to school with lynn my only year of school in high school in henderson tn my heart sank for i knew of him he talked of going into the mil don't know if he did or not but just knowing lynn for 1yrs i knew he would excell at what he wanted to do i noticed along the highway there is a memorial to him if anyone should see this and knows his family relay to them my condolesce i will never forget the lynn i knew in auto class so lynn god called you for a bigger highway to patrol it's the staight and narrow one !!you must have been good or the master wouldn't have called for you my freind.... kevin morgan
chester county h.s class of 1980

civilan

2007-01-06

Thank you for your service. You will always be remembered. Rest in peace.

Daughter of an officer

2006-07-26

THE POLICEMAN'S LAST ROLL CALL ...

THE POLICEMAN STOOD AND FACED HIS GOD, WHICH MUST ALWAYS COME TO PASS. HE
HOPED HIS SHOES WERE SHINING, JUST AS BRIGHTLY AS HIS BRASS. "STEP FORWARD
NOW, POLICEMAN. HOW SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU? HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER
CHEEK? TO MY CHURCH HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE?"

THE POLICEMAN SQUARED his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a Saint. I've had to
work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough, and sometimes I've been
violent because the streets are awfully tough. But I never took a penny that
wasn't mine to keep, though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just
got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with
fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept many unmanly tears. I know I
don't deserve a place among the people here, they never wanted me around
except to calm their fear. If you've a place for me Lord, it needn't be so
grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don't, I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod. As
the policeman waited quietly, for the judgement of his God. "Step forward
now, policeman, you've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's
streets, you've done your time in hell."

Author Unknown

May you be at peace in the arm's of a loving Heavenly father.

Anonymous

2005-12-12

I think of the officers who have helped us in the past and this happens. In a job where perfection in all areas of your job seems to be expected I think of you and pray for you and your families. Thank you for your work, dedication and love of your families.
LCR

Lorraine C Richey
Artist
2004-06-08

Trooper Ross,

My law enforcement career started the day you made the ultimate sacrifice. You will never be forgotten and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Ptl.
Glassboro PD (NJ)
2003-12-06

To know that some people didn't respect the job you chose to do. But day after day, you worked to protect them.
God bless your Family and Friends.
-Rest In Peace-

SBH
KCSO (TN)
2003-08-29

I remember well the night 3 years ago when we lost Trooper Ross. Rest well, brother, we've got the watch. Hope you are happy patrolling the streets of gold.

Dispatcher Kim Kinsey
Chattanooga PD

MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY OF TROOPER ROSS. I DIDN'T KNOW HIM PERSONALLY, BUT I DID HAVE THE HONOR OF ATTENDING HIS FUNERAL. THE OUTPOUR OF THE COMMUNITY AND FELLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WAS OVERWHELMING. IT IS TRULY A REFLECTION OF TROOPER ROSS'S IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY AND THE STATE OF TENNESSEE. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER ALL OF THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO CONTINUE TO SERVE AND PROTECT

Anonymous

I lifted weights with Lynn. He was a nice guy. I will greatly miss him.

Anonymous

The Lynn Ross I knew was extremely proud to be a Tennessee State Trooper. He always had a smile on his face. His first assignment was in the Lawrenceburg District where I am stationed, and where I first met him. He was, as usual, just doing his job that morning, and made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the construction workers at that site. He is, and always will be, missed by his fellow Troopers. I salute you Lynn! Take Care.

Trooper Bart Butler
Tennessee Highway Patrol

Trooper Ross belonged to one of the finest Highway Patrol Agencies in the Nation. His dedication and service to other citizens goes without saying. May future troopers who pass in and out of the Tennessee Highway Patrol Training Center remember Trooper Ross and his sacrifice as they begin their own careers.

Anonymous

Dear Brother, I was on patrol earlier in the morning at 0020 hrs. 7-26-00. I chased down a felony car suspect and was hospitalized. I was in surgery when God chose you to patrol heavens gate. Now we will always share this date together and I will never forget your name. Till we meet again.

Anonymous

To the family of a good friend and one that always tried his best to look out for the public. It's hard to say Good Bye to someone like Trooper Ross. He did his job and set the tone for a lot of new officers..I met him while driving for a trucking company based out of Nashville. I was driving a little too fast and he stopped me and told me to slow down. i did from that point on..To his family be proud of him..To others please slow down while driving.  I plan on trying to get into law enforcement very soon, and will keep TN. State Trooper Lynn Ross in mind and sprit to watch over us all.

James B.Rose
Dunbar Armored

I would like to send my condolence to the family of Trooper Ross. I will miss Trooper Ross patrolling Hwy 45 from Henderson to Jackson. I passed his house everyday and I would always check to see if his patrol car was at home. If his patrol car wasn't at home I knew to slow down. I still find myself looking for his patrol car as I pass by. Trooper Ross certainly did a GREAT job keeping Hwy 45S safe.  My dream is to become a Tennessee State Trooper and I always said I wanted Trooper Ross to train me if I became a trooper. A part of my dream will not come true but if I ever become a trooper I want to be like Trooper Ross.
Trooper Ross will never be forgotten. May God be with him.

Lacretia Croom Johnson

having only known you for 2 days,you told me and 3 other cadets about the dangers of law enforcement.i still remember you working traffic detail at a function in gatlinburg during one of our competions.i remember you telling me to not be nervous during our vehicle search section,and when i did a great job,the way you looked.you are in a better place now,but my heart goes out to the tennesee highway patrol,and especially your family.they indeed lost one of the best troopers ever known.a people's trooper.god be with you always.you will NEVER be forgotten.
i hope every officer and trooper will be as great as you were.

leonard j wilson
ex-charleston city explorer