Investigator James Kenneth Kennedy Knox County Sheriff's Department Tennessee Tuesday, March 27, 1984  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
2008-02-26

"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
2008-01-29

Hey J..
I was leaving a memorial for another HERO and wanted to write to you again. I just read the memorial your cousin left, and I wanted his family to know that we will never forget him! Words cannot express what a great man this was. We were sad to see him leave Fairfax and head to Tennessee, but he was happy. And the last thing he said to me was how proud he was to have been a FCPD Officer. He made me a better person, a better cop, so when you pass thru Fairfax again, smile and know that J, helped make it a great place. His Friend forever.. Ter

T.D.
FCPD Retired
2007-05-17

Jim was my cousin through my father's oldest sister, I knew him best of all my father's relatives because he was an officer in the FCPD while I was a teenager. His loss shattered us, even +20 years later it is hard to visit northern Virginia because it's easy to see his face behind everyone there who wears the uniform. My parents and Jim's mother still remember with awe and gratitude how many of his colleagues came from all over to his funeral.

Thank you for posting your thoughts and reflections about Jim here. I am grateful to find that all of you saw in Jim the same outstanding man that I looked up to years ago.

Peace.

Jefferson Gray
Paternal Cousin
2007-05-02

JIM A LOT THINGS HAVE CHANGED SINCE THAT NIGHT, I BARELY KNEW YOU BUT YOU NEVER FAILED TO SAY HI IN PASSING , YOU WERE PART OF ANEW ERA AT KNOX CO . YOU ARE STILL THOUGHT OF HIGHLY BY THE FEW OF US . THAT WAS AROUND BACK THEN.
SEE YOU SOME DAY BROTHER

SGT HARRY CARROLL
KCSO DETECTIVE DIV
2007-03-27

This is the fourth time I've traveled through Knoxville area while on vaction since a large group of Officers and I, (from Fairfax County Va.) attended his funeral. Each trip through Knoxville area renews my sadness. Inves Kennedy worked with us in Fairfax prior to moving to Tennessee. I was his field training officer, when he was new to law enforcement. He was just a great human being. After 22 years, I still think of him often.

2LT. Kendall Morey
Fairfax County (Va.) Police (retired)
2006-10-25

Jim - There are some good folks from Fairfax joining you to stand watch over the rest of us. Take good care of them! When the time comes, we will have lots to catch-up on.

Dana Libby, Major (Ret.)
Fairfax County Police
2006-05-20

J.. I still think about you and cherish your friendship to this day. I will never forget your kind words to me at times when I really wanted to quit! You took me under your wing, when the times were not good for Female Cops.. You made me want to be better, and I think it helped me survive 20 years. Well J,just wanted to let you know that a fallen officer is on her way home, please look after her like you did me..I know you will... Take care my friend.. Ter

2006-05-14

We got through the academy together, partied together and worked the street together, just wish we had had more time together..keep it safe up there...Mike

Master Police Officer M Bishop Retired
Fairfax County Va Police
2005-04-13

J..You were a good friend and A Great Cop!.. You are missed, but I know you are still around watching over us. God Bless you and God Bless your Family.. Ter

2004-06-18

Gone but never forgotten.....To the Family, Fellow Officers, and Friends of Inv. James Kennedy May you find peace at this sad day of rememberance.....

Officer Debra S. McFall
East Buffalo Twp P.D. Lewisburg, Pa.
2004-03-27

Perhaps you family and friends do not know about this site, but when they find it, they should know that your sacrifice has not been forgotten…..

2004-03-09