 | Deputy Sheriff Lee A. Hutchinson
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Florida
Saturday, July 25, 1970 |
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
2007-12-13
The 37th anniversary of your tragic death is rapidly approaching. Thank you for your dedication and sacrifice. You will NEVER be forgotten and FOREVER be a hero. Until we meet, keep "walking a beat on the Golden Street" and look after your brothers and sisters on earth. DET SGT, Retired
AR
2007-07-17
My father's surname is HUTCHINSON,
I am in AUSTRALIA,
I am a Police Officer.
I would like to think we are related but that is unlikely.
However, I would be proud to call you family, as we are brothers anyway.
"From this day 'till the ending of the world, we in it shall be remembered. We lucky few, we band of brothers. For he who today sheds his blood with me shall be my brother." - Henry V.
As we say in Australia for our fallen heros,
"time shall not weary them, nor the years condemn, for with the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we shall remember them. Lest We Forget."
R.I.P. Deputy Sheriff HUTCHINSON
Constable George
SA POLICE AUSTRALIA
2005-12-13
10/16/04
You are still remembered. Rest in peace sir. Captain Robert W. Cannon; Retired
Vermilion County Illinois Sheriff's Dept.
2004-10-16
Not forgotten, rest in peace. Ofc. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Dept.
2004-04-27
Rest in Peace Brother.
Your job is done.
We have the watch now. Cadet Wayne Rosser
Valencia Police Academy
2003-12-22
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