 | Chief Deputy Henry Bethea Morris
Clarendon County Sheriff's Department
South Carolina
Tuesday, June 8, 1982 |
"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
2007-11-16
MY BROTHER, IT HAS BEEN 24 YEARS SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED UP FOR YOUR NEXT ASSIGNMENT FROM OUR ALMIGHTY COMMANDER. YOU WERE CALLED WHILE TRYING TO HELP SOMEONE ELSE. YOU MAY BE GONE BUT YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. MAY GOD BLESS THOSE WHO STILL SURVIVE YOU. YOU SERVED WELL AS EXPECTED FROM A HERO. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.
2006-06-08
No fallen officer is ever forgotten, and I will be riding in the 2006 Police Unity Tour in your memory. It is a bicycle ride from Virginia Beach to Washington DC to raise money and awareness for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. If any family would like to meet, please e-mail me. "We ride for those who died." Officer Joe Schwartz
Bloomington (MN) PD
2006-03-29
Chief Deputy Morris,
It has taken over 21 years, but you are finally being honored. I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Clarendon County.
R.I.P.
Anonymous
2006-03-04
OFFICER YOUR NOT FORGOTTEN. GILBERT DANIEL
2006-03-01
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