 | Trooper Jody S. Dye
Ohio State Highway Patrol
Ohio
Friday, July 5, 1985 |
"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
2008-01-08
I attended the Ohio State Highway Patrol's memorial service for the first time this past May and was moved by the dedication the Patrol has for remembering it's fallen officers. I was also greatly moved by the number of family members who come back year after year to honor their loved ones...some who have died over 50 years ago.
My boyfriend is a trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. I have always been proud of his job and his affiliation with the Patrol, but am even more so after attending the service. People always use the "words" "you will never be forgotten. The family of OSHP live by those words. Becky Muncy, widow of Sgt. Marc Muncy
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Franklin County
2007-09-21
You are a hero in every way and are missed a great deal by those who love you to this day. I look forward to a joyful reunion with you some day. Richard Dye
brother
2007-04-19
Fellow troop....I know some has time has pasted since your departure, but have have not been forgotten. You will always be in the prayers of the MSP. God bless ya Troop........... Trooper Denis McGuckin
Michigan State Police
2004-11-09
Words can not express the emptiness that your departure has left in our hearts. I look at your children and see you. I tell them you we proud of them. They have grown up with you in there hearts.
Love Your Bother
Donnie Don Dye
2004-11-03
Words can not express the emptiness your deaprture has left in our hearts. i look at your children and see you DON DYE
2004-11-03
Thank you for a job well done. We believe that life continues once our soul leaves our physical body and that we are feeling your energy and hearing your thoughts that say:
I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one,
I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways
Of happy times and laughter times and bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun
Of happy memories that I leave
When life on earth is done.
Pray for us, dear one. You and your loved ones are in our prayers. Thank you for everything and we will meet one day.
Grandma & Grandpa Hinkle
Parents of a Deputy Sheriff
2004-10-30
Rest easy Brother..you will always be missed and never be forgotten.
CPD, Retired
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