Sergeant Virgil Lee Bensyl Illinois State Police Illinois Friday, January 15, 1988  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

Today on the 20th anniversary of your death, we pause and say a prayer for your family and the loved ones you left behind you to mourn.
May God comfort them on this difficult day and all days.
The pain of losing one never goes away you just somehow try to learn to accept.
Rest in peace Sarge you are not forgotten.
Respectfully submitted
Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Deborah Roelandts (911 retired)
Oconomowoc Wisconsin

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc
2008-01-15

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR POLICE AND MILITARY SERIVCE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
2008-01-05

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., Columbia, SC
2007-10-17

I worked with Lee when I was an intern with his office in the Fall of 1987. I looked up to Lee as a dedicated investigator and a true professional in the law enforcement community. I am proud to have known him.

Sr. Inspector Scott Benton
United States Marshals Service
2007-09-21

Lee,
You are still missed very much every day, but so much more a little over a week ago (10/14) when I, along with your parents, our family & friends watched our son get married and begin his life as we did, they are completing our circle of love because he used part of my ring for his new wife and he chose to use your ring for his expression of love for his new wife. You would have been very proud, Rodney is so handsome and a wonderful young man.

You are missed & loved as always,
Your wife,
Love,
Janice

wife
2006-10-23

Dad...You are forever in my thoughts and I cherish the comforting hand that you guided me with while you were here on this Earth...Though you are no longer with me to toss the baseball in the backyard, I just close my eyes and I am instantly in that place with you once again.
Rest peacefully...Rodney

Rodney Bensyl
Son
2006-10-06

you are missed deeply by family and friends Lee." No greater man is he than a man who lays down his life for his friends".

family friend

2006-02-06

Rest easy Sgt. Bensyl. Thank you for your service.

2005-01-15

You will forever be a hero to us all...God Bless you my brother...

Cleveland Police, Retired, Ohio