 | |  | Sergeant Terry Glen Lawson
Oklahoma City Police Department
Oklahoma
Thursday, April 21, 1977 |
"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
2008-01-09
Our children were just entering kindergarten when you were ending your watch. At that time I never thought about the brave men and women who, without taking life for granted, put on their protective gear and went to work every day to keep the streets safe for all the little children of the world. Both our children are in law enforcement. Thanks to all the wonderful law enforcement family worldwide, they can now set the good example that you set for your loved ones. We know that you are still very much around us and we can't thank you enough for your sacrifice. Please continue protecting all who have not yet reached heaven and pray for us daily so that we may be led on the right path to God. We will meet someday. We love you. Grandma & Grandpa Hinkle
Parents of a Deputy Sheriff
2004-10-25
Rest in peace Brother Terry, you are not forgotten.
Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73 Assistant Chief Carl Wortham
Sand Springs Police Dept. Okla
2003-09-22
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