 | Detective Thomas Atkins Dawson
New Jersey State Police
New Jersey
Monday, August 13, 1973 |
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
2007-12-12
Always remembered. Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
2007-08-13
I will be saying a prayer for the family of a great loss. DeniseDawson Darnell
Fathers son,by first wife
2007-07-24
Never forgotten Detective. Rest in peace. Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
2006-12-01
Thinking of you and your family.
2006-04-14
May God continue to watch over your family. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. Special Agent
FBI New York
2006-04-06
I wish that I could have been afforded the opportunity to have had you with me throughout my life. You were taken from a family who needed you more than life itself. I hope that I can be half the man that you once were. Everyday that I put that uniform on, you are always with me.
I love you Dad
Your son, Sean Tpr. Sean Dawson
New Jersey State Police
2004-03-23
Trooper Dawson gave his life in service to the Citizens of the State of New Jersey.
God Bless Trooper Dawson and his family.
You would be proud of your son who is also a NJ Trooper. Trooper
New Jersey State Police
2004-03-03
Always remembered but never forgotten. Anonymous
2004-01-20
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