Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

"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

November 15, 2007

Thank you for your bravery, dedication, and sacrifice. Today is the 20th anniversary of your tragic death. You will NEVER be forgotten and will FOREVER be a hero!

Sergeant, Retired
AR

July 9, 2007

It's 20 years later but no time will ever erase the memory of the sacrifice you men made. Always remembered.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

July 9, 2007

Sgt. Parker, thank you for your service. Neither you nor your sacrifice will ever be forgotten.

Rest in peace.

Michelle - wife of Retired LEO

April 26, 2007

I am David Sponhour. I worked with Ira from 1973-1978. I now work at Carrollton P.D. in Carrollton Texas. Ira was a partner on the same shift I was on at Inkster. He would do anything in the world for you and backed me up many times. I went on to Carrollton and came back for the officers funerals. That was a very sad day. May Ira,Danny, and Clay never be forgotten. They will not be by me. I hope there will be a 10 year memorial for them in July 2007. They deserve it.

Sgt. David Sponhour
Carrollton P.D Carrollton Texas

April 6, 2007

Hello,

I would like to personally thank everyone for their kind words about my father. It means a lot to our family to know that he will always remembered and loved by so many.

Thank you,

Tracy Parker

Tracy Parker
Daughter of Sgt Ira Parker

September 2, 2006

Gone but not forgotton! Your contribution to the Inkster Police Dept. will always be remembered.

L. Smith

Linda Smith

August 26, 2006

i was one the frist aux ploce in inskter mi so good to see
name

sgt sherman lackland
scsd

August 19, 2006

Wow- this is Mike Pelkey's daughter - he was partners with my "uncle" Dan and Mr. Ira Parker both in Inkster. I am embarrassed that it took so long to find this page, but my dad Mike is sick, and "Smitty" from the police force rings a strong bell with bell wtih my dad's stories. If you see this (or anyone else),it would make my dad's (Mike's) world for some contact. I have my dad and mom out in Colorado.

This has brought 15 years of memories right to my face immediately (i was a whooping 13 years old). I would love for my dad to have some contact.

Thank you

Jen Pelkey

January 3, 2006

I was a Neighbor of Ira. He was a wonderful Man, Neighbor, Father, and husband. This was over $163. bad check.

A mother and her 2 grown adult sons killed 3 wonderful Inkster Policeman

Steve Takesian

August 28, 2005

I WORKED WITH SGT. PARKER AND THE OTHER OFFICERS THAT WERE KILLED. SGT. PARKER WAS A VERY GOOD FRIEND AND PARTNER OF MIND AND WE ALWAYS HAD EACH OTHERS BACK. HE TAUGHT ME ALOT. APPROX. 3 MONTHS EARLIER I WAS TRANFERRED FROM HIS PLATOON WITHOUT EXPLANATION. THROUGH OUT THE YEARS I'VE ALWAYS WONDERED HAD I NOT BEEN TRANFERRED AND THERE ON THAT FAITHFUL DAY,WOULD I HAVE MADE A DIFFERENT. ONLY GOD KNOWS. TO SGT. PARKER AND MY OTHER FALLEN BROTHERS REST IN PEACE. SMITTY

RETIRED PO RAYMOND SMITH
INKSTER PO

April 10, 2005

You and your co-workers died in honor and glory, lives taken to soon. You will never be forgotten and will always remain in the thoughts of those who you served and protected. May God bless you and keep you always.

Willynda Smith

September 7, 2004

You are not forgotten

CPD

I WAS 15YEARS OLD WHEN YOU AND YOUR "BROTHERS" WERE SHOT. I FELT VERY BAD TO KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAD JUST DISREGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE AND AUTHORITY. GOD REST ALL OF YOUR SOULS.

PO KEVIN TREASVANT
DPD