Corporal Billy Thomas Gregory Durham Police Department North Carolina Saturday, April 24, 2004  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

Thinking of you and your loved ones today. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
2009-04-24

You have not been forgotten. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones. You are a true hero.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
2008-04-24

"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
2007-12-26

G-d Bless.

2007-04-24

Corporal Gregory went home the same day my brother-n-law Capt. Scott Monier did. I remember it like it was yesterday. Heaven received two wonderful officers that day.
Rest in Peace both of you.

Elizabeth
Sister-in-Law
2006-05-29

To the family of Cpl Billy Gregory,
You have my heartflet acknowledgement of your loss and the pain you have gone through fro two years. Know that NC C.O.P.S. is here for you anytime. Hope to meet you at the NC Police Memorial on May 23rd. May God give you peace in your heart and help to begin the healing process.
Patricia Tucker
President NC C.O.P.S.

Patricia Tucker
President of NC C.O.P.S.
2006-05-16

Corporal Billy T. Gregory, I have the honor of riding in your meomory on the Police Unity Tour, leaving Chesapeake Va on May 10,2006. You will never be forgotton, the thin blue line continues.

W.B.Routon Police Office
Norfolk Police Dept, Va
2006-05-06

As your second anniversary in heaven passes, my thoughts and prayers are with your family. May you rest in peace.

Mary Kay Balchunas
Mother of Special Agent Jay Balchunas, EOW 11/5/04
2006-04-25

To Corporal Billy Thomas Gregory, his loved ones and his fellow officers in the Durham Police Dept.:

On this the second anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is revered and honored today. I regret that it took two years for you to be honored
for your line of duty death.

May your family be comforted by their law enforcement family, and other police survivors who share this painful journey with them. My heart is with your family and I look forward to meeting them sometime.


My youngest son, Larry Lasater, was born at Watts Hospital on December 12, 1969. His end of watch date is April 24, 2005. He was killed after he was fatally shot during a foot pursuit of two bank robbers. I still have lots of family in Durham as I was born and raised there. I mourn the loss of every fallen officer, but yours is especially significant as you served in the hometown of my son and I, and you share the same eow date (separated by one year) with my beloved Larry.

To Corporal Gregory: You rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Corporal Gregory. I am so humbled by your valor and courage.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the many years of distinquished service Corporal Gregory gave to his community and the citizens of North Carolina, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on April 24, 2004.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

2006-04-25

Cpl. Gregory,
It has taken almost two years, but you are finally being honored. I would like to say thank you for your service to the citizens of Durham.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

2006-04-04

THANKS OFFICER YOUR NOT FORGOTTEN.

GILBERT DANIEL

2006-03-31