 | Sergeant Paul L. Mooneyham Sr.
Tennessee Highway Patrol
Tennessee
Saturday, April 4, 1981 |
YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE Pat Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH
2008-04-09
"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
2008-01-30
Over 27 years have passed since your tragic death. Thank you for your bravery, dedication and sacrifice. May your family take comfort in knowing you will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN and will FOREVER be a hero! DET SGT, Retired
AR
2007-07-26
Rest In Peace Sgt. Trooper
THP
2005-07-12
Paul, Its been a lot of years since you passed away.But I have never worked a wreck without thinking about you and how you Showed us green cadets how the proper way to INVESTIGATE and to use your word no shortcuts. What I know now and what I have learned since you started us in the correct direction. Most of us kids you trained are reaching retirement age now. But I have passed along a lot you showed us so you will always be there in ways. And when we talked about you it is always with the respect you showed us all those years ago. I alway INVESTAGATED and never shortcutted. Your legency will live on for a lot of years. I just hope that I am as well thought of as you were as I have tryed not to let you down.
2005-04-09
May God bless you for your service and dedication to the people of this state,and may he look over you,and your familey Trooper Larry Gladden
TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL
2005-03-16
I know now what my answer will be when asked this question "Why do want to be a police officer". The answer is easy because of people like you. I will continue the fight of an endless battle. I will think of you each time I put on the uniform and head out the door. You are gone but not forgotten. You dedication to duty and fellow officers is an inspiration to me and many other officers still to come.
Thank You for your sacrifice. You can now rest in peace because of your sacrifice you give all of us the courage to continue to hold “the thin blue line”. You will not be forgotten.
Patrolman Dustin Jackson - Grandson
Mount Carmel Police Department, TN
2004-11-29
You are gone but not forgotten. You dedication to duty and fellow officers is an inspiration to many Troopers still to come.
Thank you for your sacrifice. God bless your family
THP Cadet Class 404
2004-02-21
God Bless
2003-10-01
SGT.PAUL L. MOONEYHAM..."ON CALL TO HEAVEN"
My father was a GREAT man, and a loyal and dedicated officer! He gave his life protecting the people of Tennessee! No one will ever know the amount of stress this man put himself under to catch the murderer of Officer Arthur Lane! I watched! Only a few people know what it was like to watch the life of this STRONG, DETERMINED, and YOUNG man end! I watched! I live with this every day of my life! Dad, I miss you more than these words could ever say! You are missed so very much! Everyone he came in contact with has a story to tell; if you read this please leave one!
THANK YOU,
FROM HIS YOUNGEST DAUGHTER Teresa Mooneyham-daughter
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