Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thankyou CHIEF CATON for your service and sacrifice. You are a hero to us all. GOD bless your family as they carry on in your name

POLICE OFFICER
PHILA PA

February 21, 2008

"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

January 15, 2008

Chief thank you for your many years of service to your fellowman. I can see from other reflections that you were a great police officer and well liked. May God continue to bless you and your loved ones. Rest in peace my brother.

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

July 11, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this 3rd anniversary of your being called away from duty. I am glad that the court ordeal is finally over for your family, even though I don't believe justice was served in your case. I salute you for your dedicated career to law enforcement. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol guarding over the thin blue line. You are a true hero and heroes never die. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

July 11, 2007

Caton,It is over he got 3-10 years it is not enough, but nothing will bring you back. You had to be so proud of Rox. She got to address him with her thoughts and she did a great job.Then he got to speak, he was very emotional. I personaly feel about 10% of it was a true.I'm sorry the other 90% was he was scared to death. The only person he had with him that I felt sorry for was his son, he is only 14 and i pray he will learn from his dads mistake.It was a very emotional day for all of us his picture is on the front page of the paper today being walked to the jail.If I could have addressed him I would have told him while you sit in prison use that time to relize you could have made a choice that night and it was an accident you could have prevented and Caton will always be remembered for the wonderful man he was. He was the great police Chief and you Mr.Christoper will be remembered as the man who killed Chief Caton.

Becky

June 13, 2007

Caton, June 12th will soon be here we will know then what the sentencing will be.I know nothing will bring you back but he has had to much free time and needs to pay the price .I would like to tell him he had a choice that night he knew he was drunk he knew he was speeding and as a result of his bad choice we all lost you. you had a choice that night it was time for you to go home but you did what any good officer would do you went to help.I know you had to be there while the jury deliberated I sat in my car and Delta Dawn came on the raido i had to call Kelsey she was with Ron to let them hear so they didnt think I was crazy at that moment i got out of the car walked into the Court House and they said the verdik was in GUILTY on all charges i felt you there you had so much support there no one will ever forget what a great person you are i know you are still on patrol you love it to much.Take care my friend tell my mom & rick hello .I should have Kelsey with me on June 12th .I miss you so much your IHPI

May 29, 2007

WE DID IT DAD!! Guilty on all charges. I am the happiest person on earth. I knew we had to do it for you. I know how much you hated plea barganing. I know you were in the court room all 3 days. you had alot of support there. Nothing will ever make up for what happened to you but i think now I can close this long chapter in my life and continue on with a little sanity. Thanks for being with us and watching over us. I feel your presence all the time. Keep the kids safe ond on the right track in life, I know you will. I love you and miss you,but I remember all our talks about death and neither of us being afraid to die. I know you are so happy now. God Bless you Dad!!!

Rox
daughter

March 27, 2007

Caton, the jury has been selected we go to court Monday i will be there i want to see this sh-- head pay .i miss you.

March 13, 2007

Caton, just stoped by to tell you Merry Christmas and i miss you.I hope 2007 will be better then 2006.This is your second Chrstmas in heaven and Mom & Ricks first I'm sure you all had a good time.Things are not the same here but we will all be together some day.Please cotinue to watch over us i really need some help with all the unneeded drama in my life right know.miss you,your IHPI

December 25, 2006

Caton, Happy Thanksgiving. I miss you.

November 23, 2006

Happy Veteran's Day ;)

November 11, 2006

Tomorrow It will be 3 Months since we lost Rick, We Miss you both so much! But We know you two are together and you are watching everything that is going on and We know You will watch out for the guys and keep them safe! Please Tell Rick We said Hi and That We Miss Him!

September 5, 2006

Thinking of You and Rick! Please tell Rick We Said Happy Birthday!!!!!

August 15, 2006

It is now 2 years. I miss my dad as much as i did 2 years ago.Justice has yet to be served, but hopefully very soon we will have the trial for the man who was DUI, killing my father. It just doesnt seem fair that he is still out walking the streets. Soon though Dad....the chapter will close...I promise.

Roxanne
DAUGHTER

August 10, 2006

Thinking of You and Rick :)

July 23, 2006

Caton, Tomorrow it will be 2 years with out you .The void in our life is so deep,your name comes up everyday in our family and it is all good .Everyone loves the story about my cat on your porch,we all have so many great memories of you . Kelsey dreams of being a police officer and when her dream comes true I'm sure you will see her through to be the best she can be .I'm sure you are all up to date with what has been going on since Rick is with you now if we said it once we said it a million times man if Caton was here this would not be going on.i really wonder what people think with, it is crazy.I relived your funeral at Ricks and it was real bad because we had Moms wednsday and Rick friday i didnt think i could cry anymore ,but i did .I wish they would have Sh--heads trail i dont understand why so long this Sh-- bag is living life large and you got taken in a split second.But i know you are in a better place no more pain or crime just care free and happy.we will be together again some day but untill then do as you do the best watch over us ride with the guys and keep them safe.rest well my good friend and take care of my Mom please no that my life was and still is truly blessed with you being my friend.I miss you everyday.Love your IHPI

July 10, 2006

Caton,

Its been 23 months. We spent all week in The funeral home.Mom died June 5th and Rick died June 6th. We are sure you and Rick are already patroling with your 88's in hand! Meyersdale has lost another full time officer and we don't know what will happen from here so please help our guys patrol and take care of My Mom.

Tell Rick We said Hi!!!!!

Love, Kelsey & Becky

June 11, 2006

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!:)

May 30, 2006

I salute you for your long and dedicated career in law enforcement. You are a true hero and will never be forgotten by those that love you, nor will the Blue Family ever let you be forgotten. I know the pain your loved ones feel every day and how they think of you just about every hour of every day. Keep watch over your loved ones, wrap your wings around them and help them with their grief. Visit them in their dreams to let them know that you are okay and watching over them.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen Chicago Officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon

May 19, 2006

Thinking Of You!!!!!:)

April 29, 2006

Thinking of You :)!!!!!

March 19, 2006

caton, I just wanted to tell you I miss you.

March 12, 2006

Thinking of you!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

March 1, 2006

Happy Valentines Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

February 14, 2006

Caton, thinking of you as always and missing you as always.i wish you could be here so much is going on and i know you would get it all straight. rest well my friend. your ihpi.

February 11, 2006