Officer Wallace Earl Nesbitt Newport News Police Department Virginia Thursday, January 8, 1970  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

Officer Wallace Earl Nesbitt was a friend of mine and a brother. I was on duty the date this incident occured and partiscipated in the arrest of the suspect. Lt. Harry Martin made the arrest after pursuing the suspect into
another jurisdiction. Officer Nesbitt was a fine police officer that trained new officers in the traffic bureau and
was a devoted family man. I often think about him and was glad to hear his son pursued a law enforcement career with the Newport News Police Department. May God bless his family and he will always be in the hearts of us that knew him.

Former Police Homicide Detective
Newport News Police Dept
2009-10-14

"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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
2008-04-03

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH
2008-01-02

May you continue to rest in eternal peace. You Brother will never be forgotten.......

Senior Officer D. W. Reichhardt
Waverly, Virginia Police Department
2007-01-08

I WAS AN OFFICER WITH THE NPN PD WHEN THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED. I AM NOW RETIRED AND STILL THINK OF OFFICER NESBITT. MAY GOD REST HIS SOLE.

SUPERVISOR SPECIAL AGENT G. W. SWEENEY
DEPT OF TRANS GVT POLICE DEPT
2006-12-21

Although it is nearly 33 years since this senseless and tragic loss was suffered upon all of us in Blue, Officer Nesbitt sacrafice is not forgotten. To those of you who knew hin and now carry his torch we will be thinking of you and stand by you always. Hoping that time has healed some of the pain.

Chief of Police Olen M. Young
Wauneta Police Dept
2003-12-16

Officers of the Newport News Police Dept. never forget their own no matter how much time has past. Rest in peace and we thank you for serving your city and paying the ultimate price for our freedom.

Officer M. A Cooper
Newport News Police Dept.