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

December 5, 2007

Dear Officer Connelly,
You were such an amazing woman. As the daughter of a police officer, I know the fears your family must have faced every day you walked out the door.
God Bless,

your #1 Fan and a girl who will one day follow in your footsteps,
BillyAnne

BillyAnne

August 27, 2007

My Dearest Claire, many times you and I talked of you becoming a Police Officer Just the year before you and I talked and asI remember you asking me what the job was all about and I told about you and the people you so love. You gave your life for what you beleived in Ill thank you for the rest of my life and will always wish I had never talked you into this. Had I known of the event to follow you becoming an officer. You left us so short in life. You were so warm, loving and caring. I was always proud you had become a Police Officer. You filled our hearts with joy and on your departure with saddness. to this very day I some what still blame my self for your leaving as you did. as I was one of the officers you had always asked questions about the job... I will never forget you and your ways, the love in my heart will always be yours. As you serve the heaven above fear nothing as someday we again will serve each other as friends and commrads once again.your smile and your beauty as a person and an officer will shine in all the hearts you have touched..you were always the rose of beauty and always will be.
Love you Claire forever and always,
Chaz

C. Farley
ret. Officer

July 28, 2007

Thank you for paving the way for other women who are interested in becoming an officer, like my sister. I am married to an officer and know first hand about the stress that the job brings. Your death shows us that there are extreme dangers with the job also. You are sadly missed by all.

wife of a deputy

July 12, 2007

Each day I try to read ODMP out of respect to the memory of our fallen heros and try to recall what I was doing when they made gave their life to our profession. Claire, I have never met to you to my knowledge, but I am proud of your service to your community and Department. Rest in peace Officer Connelly.

Lt. Stephen A. Joy #980
Prince George's County Police Department

July 3, 2007

As I was looking at the ODMP today I came across your name highlighted. Thank you for your willingness to serve your fellowman. Rest in peace my sister.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables

June 13, 2007

Officer Connelly did a job that most consider a "man's job". Thank you for paving the way for more females to apply for law enforcement positions. Rest easy, us "girls" will take it from here.

February 27, 2007

On the anniversary of your death, may you continue to keep watch over your family, friends and co-workers from above always. God bless all of you.

Jennifer Aaron
Wife of Duke G. Aaron, III (EOW 07/20/04)

July 12, 2006

Our Lord needed a pretty Angel so He chose you.May you Rest in Peace.Thank you for your service.

July 12, 2006

Rest in peace. We will carry on in your memory. I hope your family, friends and fellow officers are doing ok. God Bless you.

AZ Narc

April 9, 2006

To the friends and family of Officer
Claire Connelly and her fellow officers at the Riverside Police Department:

Officer Connelly's valor and bravery will not be forgotten. How sad that such a dedicated officer had to die at such a young age and by such a senseless act.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for her service to her community and the citizens of Riverside, and the supreme sacrifice she and her family made seven years ago
on July 12, 1998.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD eow 4/24/05

September 6, 2005

As the sad anniversary approaches, of the sacrifice of this brave Warrior, May God Grant her Family, Friends, and Fellow Officers, the Serenity to accept the things they cannot Change, the Courage to Change the things they can, and the Wisdom to know the difference. Rest in Peace Blue Angel.....

Officer Debra McFall Ross
East Buffalo Twp P.D. Lewisburg, Pa.

July 2, 2004

05/17/04

Each day I try to read the ODMP. Today I read your story. Any officer who dies in the line of duty will always be remembered for his sacrifice. You died a hero. Rest in peace Officer Connelly.

Captain Robert W Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.

May 17, 2004

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer. Today, July 12, 2003 we dedicated the shift to the memory of P.O. Claire Nicole Carolyn Connelly who died on this date five years ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Officer Connelly's sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

I wish to express my deepest sympathy to the Connelly family and the officers of the Riverside Police Department over the tragic loss of Officer Nicole Connelly. Another sister in arms has been taken from us. Claire will now patrol the streets of Heaven with St. Michael and his angels. May our sister Claire rest in peace. Never forget the fallen hero!

Ofcr. Dan Winger, Ret.
LBCCPD