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

February 11, 2008

Martha, thinking of you on this 9th anniversary of Barry's EOW. No matter how many years pass, the EOW date is hard. May you find comfort in your memories, and in knowing you are loved by so many.

I hope Barry and Mick have met in Heaven, like we have here on Earth. Barry would be so proud of you and all you do for fellow survivors! You are an inspiration and a remarkable woman whom I'm lucky to call my friend.

Stacy Cullinane Smith
Surviving Spouse of Ptl Mickey Cullinane, EOW 8/26/92
Sea Isle City, NJ Police Department

November 4, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

November 2, 2007

I am a former aerial observer (1975-1983)with the Baltimore Police Helicopter unit. I was Barry's partner for most of my time with the unit. Martha, you and Barry are always in the thoughts and prayers of Sue and I. I thank God that we had friends like you and Barry. I miss him very much, he was my best friend.

Ray & Sue Mackessy 04-01-07

Sgt. Raymond Mackessy
Sumter Co. Sheriff's Ofc. Crime Scene Unit Supervisor

April 1, 2007

Martha,

I'm glad I found this site. I was a former band member of Barry's in Manassas. I always wanted to find a way to express my condolences to you and your family.

May peace be always at your doorstep.

Vince Heflin
Friend

January 3, 2007

Hello Martha Thinking of you and Barry during this season. Just wanted to let you know I am keeping you in my prayers at this time of and always. Have a safe New Years and Peace Be With You. Lorrie Winder

lorrie winder
wife

December 29, 2006

Martha, thinking of you this holiday season. I hope you can find some comfort and peace and cherish your memories of Barry. The holidays can be such a bitter sweet time for us survivors, no matter how many years have passed since the EOW. Know I'm thinking of you.

Love,
Stacy


Stacy Cullinane Smith
Surviving Spouse of Ptl Mickey Cullinane, EOW 8/26/92
Sea Isle City NJ Police Department AND
Proud Wife of a Montgomery County, MD Police Officer

December 24, 2006

As we celebrate the birth of Our Saviour, let's remember the life of this saviour. Our Saviour made the ultimate sacrifice so that we might live. This saviour made the ultimate sacrifice to serve and protect. Our Saviour lives. This saviour, too, shall live again. Rest In Peace.

On behalf of the pilots of the FBI, I pay my respects.

D. Paul, Special Agent/Pilot
FBI

December 23, 2006

Merry Christmas Wood Family. May all of you continue to move forward in life and heal with Barry's help.

December 18, 2006

Thinking of you and your family this day.

Maryland Citizen

November 4, 2006

May Our Lord bless and keep you.

November 4, 2006

Remembering Barry, Martha, and Tiki on this day.

November 4, 2006

Hello Martha It has been a while since we have spoken. I do think of you and hope that you are doing o.k. I thank you with all my heart for being there for me and my family during the trial and all you did for the one year memorial service on Edmondson Ave. You have a good soul. I know 10/9 Monday is your special day. I cannot forget it because it is Brian's B-Day. I will continue to pray for you and I know Barry is with you in spirit on Monday and everyday. May God bless him for a job well done on earth and allow him to look out for you and his fellow officers from above for protection and peace. Peace Be With You Martha Love, Lorrie Winder

lorrie winder
wife of ofc. Brian Winder EOW 7-3-04

October 6, 2006

Four years ago I met your wife in Washington D.C. at the National Police Memorial. I was there for Police Week, in honor of my husband, Sgt. Marc Muncy. My husband died in a car accident while responding to another officer's call for back up. He was an officer with the Columbus, Ohio Division of Police. I clearly remember the day I first met your wife. We had just walked up the stairs from the Metro and we were beginning to walk around the memorial wall. We wanted to find my boyfriend's co-worker who's name had just been added to the wall. It was then that we saw your wife sitting near your name crying. We stopped to talk with her and learned you had been a helicopter pilot for Baltimore City. My boyfriend is a pilot for the Ohio State Highway Patrol. I think the connection helped as we talked with Martha. After talking for a bit, we left and each year after I have thought about her and wondered how she was doing.

History repeated itself this year, only in reverse. I was the one sitting near my husband's name crying when Martha came up to me. I immediately recognized her and was thrilled to be able to see her once again. I am a firm believer that God puts people in the right place at the right time. We were there four years ago when Martha needed someone and she was there on Saturday when I needed someone. The pride that she carries for your comes through in her eyes and her words...just as strong now as it was when we first met her.

Continue to watch over her. Martha, thank-you for taking the time to talk on Saturday and remember to take care of yourself too.

Becky Muncy, widow of Sgt. Marc Muncy
Assistant Prosecutor, Franklin County

May 16, 2006

God bless Tiki Wood. Tiki is now with his buddy Barry. Just letting you know that you are thought about Martha. Hang in there.

April 19, 2006

Happy Easter Barry! Please continue to keep watch over Martha and Tiki.

April 15, 2006

Please send angel hugs and kisses Martha's way today. Happy Valentine's Day Barry.

February 14, 2006

Remembering you and your wife. You both remain in my thoughts and prayers.

Ret. Sgt. AJC
MCSD, NJ

January 1, 2006

My Barry,
So this is another new year of lonilness. This life is becoming harder alone. I seek guidance from God & you to help me get through this journey.You loved me so much & I really miss the feeling.

Martha Wood, widow BPD

January 1, 2006

My Brothers and Sisters, we have all sworn to perform our duties, impartially and without hesitation or fear. Our present duty, and though it be painful, is to pay a just and deserving tribute of honor to a Brother who has embarked upon that lone journey which leads through the valley of the great shadow into the sunlight of perpetual day and lasting tranquility.
These feeble but heart-felt words can do little more than remind us of the duty which we owe to our departed friend and colleague.
As he was ever faithful to us in the full performance of his task and the protection of those who slept, so let us be, my Brothers, faithful to him, ever zealous to protect and cherish the memory of his good deeds, forgetting his imperfections, and emblazoning his accomplishments.
As time runs on, in sun and shade, may we bear with us ever-pleasant memories of a hallowed friendship, a kindly feeling, and a deep respect for all our Brother stood for. As an indication of our regard and affection, let us pause and, in silent meditation, typify what mere words cannot express.
Let us pray:
Almighty God, be with us on this occasion. Strengthen us in a firm resolve to do right, to serve well, to be faithful to our tasks, to our community, and to our Brothers. Make us appreciative of the opportunities to do good and to lend a helping hand. Inspire us with a new devotion to fulfill the duties, which are entrusted to our keeping. May those who mourn be comforted in this sad hour, and may they be strengthened by the knowledge of Thy presence and Thy omnipotence.
May we be constantly reminded in the hours of the night, as well as in the brightness of the day, of Thy everlasting love and kindness, and may Thou guide us through this uncharted valley and bring us at last to the shore of the eternal stream, our ranks unbroken, to dwell with Thee forever more. We ask this humbly through Thy redeeming grace and power. Amen.

Ret. Officer William Hackley
Baltimore Police

December 16, 2005

~Christmas In Heaven~
I've had Christmas in heaven;
A glorious, wonderful day!
I stood with saints of the ages,
Who found Christ the Truth and the Way.
I sang with the heavenly choir;
Just think! I, who longed so to sing!
And oh, what celestial music
We brought to our Savior and King!
We sang the glad songs of redemption,
How Jesus to Bethlehem came
And how they had called His name Jesus,
That all might be saved through His name.
We sang once again with the angels,
The song that they sang the blest morn,
When shepherds first heard the glad story
That Jesus, the Savior, was born.

O, Darling, I wish you had been here;
No Christmas on earth could compare
With all the rapture and glory
We witnessed in Heaven so fair.
You know how I always loved Christmas;
It seemed such a wonderful day
With all of my loved ones around me;
The children so happy and gay.

Yes, now I can see why I loved it;
And oh, what a joy it will be
When you and my loved ones are with me
To share in the glories I see.
So, Dear Ones on earth, here's my greeting;
Look up till the day dawn appears
And oh, what a Christmas awaits us,
Beyond all our partings and tears!

Ret. Officer William Hackley
Baltimore Police

December 7, 2005

Today is a big day for Martha and the MD COPS organization. No matter what the outcome may be Martha, you will always be a winner in my heart.

Love and hugs,
Jenn

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

December 7, 2005

We ask Thy blessings and eternal rest to all our brothers and sisters
Who have sacrificed their very lives in the performance of
their duties. Give their loved ones the peace and
Strength to bear the anguish of their loss. Remove all
resentment from their hearts, knowing that eternal
peace and rest will abide their departed loved ones
forever. This we beg, Thy name forever and ever,
Amen.

Ret. Officer William Hackley
Baltimore Police

November 21, 2005

Dear Martha,

You are one of my dearest friends. Knowing you is truly a gift. Barry was a very lucky man to have you in his life. I am so proud of the way you honor Barry. You are a wonderful lady. I wish I would have had a chance to know Barry. I wish our husbands could have been friends. They were very much alike. Gentle, kind, caring is just a few ways that discribes them. Though, I never had a chance to meet Barry, I feel I know him through you. May God protect you and keep you in his hands.

Love,
Angie

Angie Halcomb
Survivor

November 17, 2005

To the family and friends of Officer Barry Wood, his fellow officers, and most especially to Flight Officer Wood:

On this the seventh anniversary of your tragic death, we honor and remember you. Rest in Peace, Officer Wood.

On behalf of our entire family, I wish to extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Barry died in the line of duty seven years ago. In reading the reflections, it is obvious he was well-loved by many and well-respected by his peers as reflected in the loving reflections left for him.

May his loved ones continued to be supported by their law enforcement family and other police survivors. Martha, thank you for being an inspriration to others. Our family grieves with you and for you.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the many years of distinquished service Flight Officer Wood gave to his community and the citizens of Maryland, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on November 4, 1998.

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

November 4, 2005