 | Trooper Perley K. Johnson Jr.
Massachusetts State Police
Massachusetts
Monday, February 13, 1978 |
"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
2008-02-18
Trooper Johnson,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P.
Anonymous Anonymous
2008-02-13
Today on the 30th anniversary of your death, we pause and say a prayer for you and those you left behind.
Rest in peace Trooper, you are not forgotten.
Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Deborah Roelandts (911 retired)
Oconomowoc Wisconsin Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc
2008-02-13
YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
2008-01-13
You died on my 30th birthday. You were only 2 years
older than me. Even though your EOW was over 29 years ago, time has not diminished your service or
your sacrifice. With love from one coast of America
to the other.
Lynn Kole
Washington State
2007-06-14
Trooper Johnson, today marks the 29th anniversary of your passing. Though you left this world physically, I know you never truly left your wife and child and watch over them to this day. Thank you for your service to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for those 10 short years.
God Bless and may you continue to Rest in Peace, Brother. Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.
2007-02-13
May you Rest in Peace and may Our Lord bless your loved ones.
2007-02-13
A poem to reflect a Hero.
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow,
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush,
of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am in the star shine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room,
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing,
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I do not die.
Mary E Frye, 1932
Rest in Peace, Brother... Corporal Gregory A. Cohn
Florida Highway Patrol - St. Augustine
2006-03-05
Rest in Peace, brother.
Your sacrafice has not been forgotten. Trooper
A-6 Danvers, MSP
2005-09-09
Your unfortunate passing came long before my time with the department, but thank you for your contributions. Semper Fi and Thank You !!
72nd RTT (1994 - Present) Trooper Mark D. Robbins
Massachusetts State Police
2004-10-11
Rest in peace Brother Perley, you will not be forgotten.
Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW7/15/73 Assistant Chief Carl Wortham
Sand Springs PD OK
Rest in peace, my brother. Tpr N Brace Ret
MSP
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