Police Officer Dennis Earl Hill Des Moines Police Department Iowa Sunday, August 28, 1977  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

"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
2007-10-23

Sir, I honor your service and your sacrifice. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9.

We have your watch. Rest in peace.

I grew up in Polk City and have seen Heaven's Heros many times.

Master Officer T.D. Morton
Chesterfield, Va.
2006-11-05

Very soon Dennis' daughter will be as old as her father was when he was killed. She is doing a lot of work remembering her father and trying sort through how his life and his death has affected her. She is honoring his memory and working through the tragedy again as an adult.

I know that he would be proud of her. She has dedicated her life to kids who are deeply troubled. She is making the world a better place. And she is amazingly competitive. She beats everyone (well, almost everyone--I manage to beat her fairly often) in games.

Dennis, thanks for bringing your amazing daughter into the world. She is a wonderful tribute to your life!

Rev. Nancy Brink
Pastor of his daughter
2006-10-10

I wish to honour the life of Officer Dennis Hill by informing readers of the Christian film "Heaven's Heroes".
The film was produced by Mark IV Pictures and is based on the life of Officer Hill. It is a fitting tribute to Officer Hill and indeed all Police Officers. Please be assured of my continued thoughts and prayers for the Hill family.
God bless you all.
Yours sincerely,
Michael D. Sainsbery
Melbourne, Australia.

Michael D. Sainsbery

2005-04-18

Officer Hill,

I never got to meet you. But as a friends of several officers at the Des Moines Police Department. Not a day goes by they don't stop and remember you & the others that have fallen.

I hope you are resting comfortably with the Lord. May you continue your beat on the streets of Heaven and shine down on the ones patrolling the streets of Des Moines, Iowa.

Tonya Stephenson
Former Des Moines, IA Resident
2005-02-24

Rest In Peace, Your sacrfice shall not be forgotten.

Police Officer
Chicago Police Dept.
2005-02-01

Dennis Hill 30 years old, badge 118. A well liked son of a DMPD Sergeant and a friend to many. Rest in Peace Brave Soul.

SPO Bill Trimble

2004-05-24

THE POLICEMAN’S LAST INSPECTION ...

THE POLICEMAN STOOD AND FACED HIS GOD, WHICH MUST ALWAYS COME TO PASS. HE HOPED HIS SHOES WERE SHINING, JUST AS BRIGHTLY AS HIS BRASS. "STEP FORWARD NOW, POLICEMAN. HOW SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU? HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER CHEEK? TO MY CHURCH HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE?"

THE POLICEMAN SQUARED his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain’t. Because those of us who carry badges can’t always be a Saint. I’ve had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough, and sometimes I’ve been violent because the streets are awfully tough. But I never took a penny that wasn’t mine to keep, though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I’ve wept many unmanly tears. I know I don’t deserve a place among the people here, they never wanted me around except to calm their fear. If you’ve a place for me Lord, it needn’t be so grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don’t, I’ll understand."


There was silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod. As the policeman waited quietly, for the judgement of his God. "Step forward now, policeman, you’ve borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven’s streets, you’ve done your time in hell."

Author Unknown

Rest in peace brother

Detective
Des Moines Police Department

Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called the sons of god. Mathew 5:9

Explorer
Des Moines Police Department