Sergeant Mark Maynard Dryer Arizona Department of Public Safety Arizona Saturday, July 3, 1993  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

RIP.You will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

2008-10-26

"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
2007-11-14

Thank you for your bravery, dedication, service and sacrifice. May your family - especially YOU, Megan - take comfort in the fact that SGT Mark Maynard Dryer will FOREVER be a hero and NEVER be forgotten. I know he is "walking a beat on the Golden Street" watching over all the police officers on earth.

DET SGT, Retired
AR
2007-07-31

Rest in peace brother and thank you for your service. To Megan, I am sure your dad is very proud of you. Be safe.

nc game warden

2007-07-03

Sergeant Dryer:

I have the privledge of being one of your daughter Megan's teachers at Arizona State University. As she has posted below, she intends to follow in your footsteps. While it is true that this is a dangerous path, we all depend on and benefit from someone being willing to take the risk to protect us. You made that decision and for that we are grateful and sorrowful for your sacrifice and that of your family and friends. Megan certainly knows better than anyone the potential sacrifice she might make but I guarantee should that happen, she, as you already have before, will have made the world a better and safer place for the rest of us. Such a sacrifice as yours has not gone unnoticed or unapreciated. We are eternally in your debt. I think you quite likely know this already, but Megan is an extraordinary young woman. She's intelligent, hard working, motivated, as well as beautiful. Anyone would be quite proud to have her as a daughter but the fact that she is your daughter speaks volumes about the quality of man you were when you walked among us and protected us. Thank you for your service. Rest in peace.

Gary Lewallen
Arizona State University
2007-04-15

Rest in Peace, Sergeant Dryer. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

2007-03-14

Dad,I love you more than you know and miss you every day; there is not a day that goes by when I don't think of you. I see your picture on the wall everytime I walk into work along with all of the other honored fallen officers. I am following in your footsteps Dad, I know you don't think its safe, but it's in my blood. I know you are always with me, and will be there more than ever when my dreams of being a police officer is fulfilled. I love you DAD

Megan Dryer
Daughter and #6430 DPS intern
2006-11-21

You were a blast to work with and always seemed to show up when we were short-handed. How many reserves can pop as many DUI's as the full-time officers? You could. I think of you often, may God bless you and the kids you left behind. I am proud to be able to say I worked with you.

Officer Chris Drummond
freind/co worker
2006-08-24

You will always be remembered not only as a fallen officer but, also as my baby brother. We all love and miss you very much. I know in my heart that you are in a better place and I WILL see you again someday. GOD BLESS YOU! Your loving sister, Sallie

Sallie Dryer Brantley
sister
2006-08-08

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.....


Officer, Tennessee

2005-12-25

Sgt. Dryer,
No Hero should be forgotten on the anniversary of their death. With a few minutes to midnite-July 3,2005, I salute your memory. Rest in Peace.

Belia Fessenden, Retired#112
Pinal CoSO, retired
2005-07-03

We put up your picture today on our memorial wall. We will always honor your sacrifice.

Renee Mitchell
Arizona Department of Public Safety
2005-04-29

I remember when Sgt. Dryer was taken from us. I remember him every time I put my badge on and I honor his memory. Rest in peace my brother.

Sgt. A. Whitney
Yuma County Sheriff's Office