Trooper William R. Bender Ohio State Highway Patrol Ohio Saturday, November 20, 1982  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

What a sacrifice your family has made, first your Dad and then you. It grieves
my heart to think of the pain this has caused. You both served proudly and we
respect your service and thank you for your sacrifice.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

2008-10-14

"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
2008-01-08

Rest in Peace

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH
2007-11-29

I attended the Ohio State Highway Patrol's memorial service for the first time this past May and was moved by the dedication the Patrol has for remembering it's fallen officers. I was also greatly moved by the number of family members who come back year after year to honor their loved ones...some who have died over 50 years ago.

My boyfriend is a trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. I have always been proud of his job and his affiliation with the Patrol, but am even more so after attending the service. People always use the "words" "you will never be forgotten. The family of OSHP live by those words.

Becky Muncy, widow of Sgt. Marc Muncy
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Franklin County
2007-09-21

Remembering these two fine officers and all the family members who miss them. May peace and God's love be with you.

Chaplain Jim Taylor
Fresno County Sheriff's Department
2007-08-22

Gone but never forgotten

2007-02-26

Randy and I were class mates at Harding High School and graduated together. I lost contact with Randy after I moved to Texas in 1981. I remember him 'preparing' for the Winged Tire Co. and the stretches he did to make sure he met the height requirement. On a recent vist to Virginia I visited the Law Enforcement Memorail. It was not till then did I learn about Randy's father. I made a rubbing, of both, and will keep it in my locker. I believe I could count him as a friend.

Sgt. Eric W. Felt
Mineral Wells, Tx., Police Dept.
2006-09-17

On the 23rd anniversary of your passing. You are remembered for the TRUE HERO that you are. God Bless

OHIO \
summit county
11-20-2005

2005-11-21

You have made many proud.

LEO wife
Marion, Ohio
2005-01-23

To have lost two members of one family in the line of duty is so very sad. I can only think that the Good Lord is forming his own Department and found these two fine officers to good to pass up. May you both Rest In Peace.

Sergeant Eddie Bounds (Retired)
Jacksonville Beach P.D.
2004-12-29

I thank you for your service and salute you for your sacrifice.

A grateful citizen.

2004-09-23

I just visited your Dad's memorial. I hope I have honored him as you have honored him and us. There are some things in life I guess you just don't understand and this is one of them. Your family has given so much, society could never repay this debt. I do pray that some day your sacrafice will be realized in real terms by those who never knew you. Thank You Brother for being willing to go where few will for, such little reward. You honor us. "Poi si torno' all' eterna fontana.'

Ptl.T.D.HILL
Ontario Police
2004-07-10

Having just found out about Randy's death, I wanted to say that I knew him for a short time. We both graduated from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy together. Randy Bender was a very nice yound man, and it was very tragic to learn about his death. Of course I know that he served the Patrol well until his death and that he looks down on all of us from his lofty perch above. To his family and friends, May God Bless You All. Randy, May God Bless and Keep You, Thanks for being my friend, Daryl

MPO III Daryl E. Delagrange
High Point Police Department