Policeman Frank Wright Gaffney Police Department South Carolina Thursday, December 9, 1937  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

Officer Wright it has been 71 years since the end of your watch and you have not been forgotten. Thank you for your service to the citizens of Gaffney. Rest in peace my brother.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables
2008-12-09

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe
Manchester, nh
2007-12-05

"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.
2007-07-09

Dear uncle,
I'm sad to know another brother in blue has fallen. I know that you are looking down upon us protecting us each and every day. You are one of many that has paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting the innocent. For that, rest in peace my brother. We miss you dearly.

Officer Brian Wright
Mauldin Police Dept., S.C.
2006-08-17

Officer Wright,
It saddens me to know your son lost you at such an early age. I know he must have been very proud to know you were a brave Police Officer. Rest in peace.

Patrolman Rick Thiot
Cullman, Alabama P.D.
2005-02-11

Dear Officer Wright,

Sometimes life doesn't make sense to us as we live on through its peaks and valleys. You were so young when taken from us and you had to leave your child. God must have needed you home in heaven to take you so suddenly. Please stand guard at heaven's gate. We wish you godspeed son, and our thoughts are with your loved ones. You stood a line, protecting those who could not protect themselves and those who turned to you for protection. May God hold you in his arms. We will meet someday. Pray for us, dear one. We love you.

Grandma & Grandpa Hinkle
Parents of a Deputy Sheriff
2004-10-11

The policeman stood and faced 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 a badge
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 got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept 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 here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a 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 born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA
2004-08-24

MY BROTHER, YOU ARE GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. A HERO IS NEVER FORGOTTEN. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. YOU SERVED WELL.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.
2004-08-23

Rest in peace Officer Wright. You've done your job well.

A Texas streetcop

2004-08-19