 | Trooper Larry Verne Crabtree
Oklahoma Highway Patrol
Oklahoma
Monday, April 4, 1977 |
YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE Pat Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH
2008-04-09
"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
2008-01-09
Trooper Crabtree, thank you for your service.
married to retired LEO
2006-05-18
Trooper Crabtree,
I had the distinct privlidge of making the aquaintance of your son Tony this past week. We met during the National Police Week in Washington D.C. Tony was staying in the room next to mine at the hotel, and we traded patches, and I gave him one of my Department's challenge coins. Tony is a little older than I am, so I feel funny saying this, but you raised a fine son, I genuinely enjoyed talking with him, and learining about what he does. He was not aware of this website, and I shared it with him, and vowed to check it for you. I am very pleased to see that you are included on it, and am even more pleased to have met your son, who I am sure you know followed in your footsteps to become a proud member of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol!
Very respectfuly, and sincerely,
Detective Sergeant V.T. Rosen Detective Sergeant V.T. Rosen
Henry County Police Department
2006-05-17
I honor you my brother. Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer). Special Agent Jim Crotty
ATF (SA, Retired)
2004-04-08
Trooper Crabtree is gone but not forgotten. Another brother officer who gave his all. To his friends and family I wish you God's Blessings. Senior Trooper Keith Miller
Oregon State Police
On behalf of the men and women of the Virginia State University, Police Department, our thoughts and prayers to the Crabtree family and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Virginia State University Police Department
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