 | Trooper Michael L. Martin
North Carolina Highway Patrol
North Carolina
Friday, July 22, 1988 |
"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
2007-12-27
MY BROTHER, MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.
2007-07-22
Rest in peace brother and thank your for your service. nc game warden
2007-07-22
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family, friends and all the members of the North Carolina Highway Patrol. We were made safer by his service and we all suffer their tragic loss. The family of Trooper Martin deserves our appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifice. In the days to follow, may you be strengthened by the fact that Trooper Martin is a man distinguished by exceptional courage and will always be admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. You, your family and your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Thomas Doyle
Cary Police Department, North Carolina
2006-07-03
This is so sad. You had so much of
life left to experience. Even though
this happened years ago, your life
is still celebrated and your sacrifice
still remembered.
Lynn Kole
Washington State
2005-09-10
You are not forgotten and you will always be missed. A fellow fisherman, a fellow officer and most importantly a friend. Rest in Peace, My Brother. Lt. R.H. Hopper
Eden Police Department
2005-04-05
"The guardian angels of life sometimes fly so high as to be beyond our sight, but they are always looking down upon us."
- Jean Paul Richter
Michael,
You're not forgotten ...
Anonymous
2003-12-08
Michael had a smile about him that I will never forget...he was just simply a wonderful person to know, and he is missed by us all...God Bless you Michael jim thomas, magistrate
north carolina judicial branch
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