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

January 24, 2008

Another year has passed all to quickly and we are still missing you just as much as that fateful day in 2005. As I said before, all of our lives have been forever changed. We know you are looking down proudly on your family and friends. We are forever indebted to you and all of the officers who have given their lives for us. Please know that we think of you every day and pray that you are at peace. We sent a few pets to you for your safe keeping. Please take care of Chelsea and Shadow for Rox
and us. We'll be in touch with our prayers to you each and every day.

Love and miss you
Mike and Linda

Mike & Linda
Brother and sister-in-laws

January 11, 2008

We think of you daily, forever in our hearts.

January 10, 2008

I cannot beleive it is three years today that you were taken away from us so suddenly. The pain is still as fresh as that day when we were told what had happened.
You are remembered today by your family and friends with all our love. We miss you so much, some times it is hard to get through the day.
One day we will all be together again and then we can be happy.
Love and miss you every day!

Roxanne
wife

January 10, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

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

January 3, 2008

Happy 50th birthday. We spent the day talking about you and all the funny things you did. We miss you so much and think about you everyday. I know you are watching over us and someday we will all be together again. I figure you are probably hanging out with your Uncle John.
Love you and miss you all the time.

Rox

Roxanne wife

November 24, 2007

Skip,

We are still thinking of you each and every day. There is not a day that doesn't go by that someone in law enforcement does not die. We know all of you are in that very special place looking down on all of us. There is no pain or suffering anymore for any of you anymore. We pray for Rox every day. She misses you and talks of you all of the time. We try to take some of the pain away, however she knows she will be happiest when you two are reunited again. The holidays are the hardest to deal with and they are here again. We are missing you always. You and many others were taken from us too soon! May you rest in peace.

Loving and missing you always,
Your Brother and Sister-in-law.

Sister and brother-in-Law

November 2, 2007

"Uncle Skip"

It has taken me 2.5 years to work up the strength, I guess, to post a reflection. I could probably sum it all up simply by saying that you are missed terribly every day, but I'm sure you already know that.

We all miss you and we talk about you all the time, sometimes with laughter at something funny that happened, often with tears because all we have left now are the memories. I cry hardest when I think about how my babies will never know how it would be to have their Uncle Skip here with them. They will only have photos and a little red Jeff Gordon T-shirt that we will likely have forever.

We visit the cemetery and hope you've gotten the balloons we've sent you.

We love and miss you very much!

Shelby, Steve, Allison and Ian
Sister in law, brother in law, neice & nephew

July 16, 2007

Roxanne,
When we spoke when I was visiting you and Karen, I could see the love you still have for Skip and it breaks my heart that he isn't here on earth with you. I was thinking of you today and searched to find this page so I could leave you a message to let you know that I think of you often and hope you and the pups are doing well.
Your poems are beautiful and I'm sure Skip is smiling down on you.
Love,
Dale Jones

Dale Jones
friend

June 22, 2007

It has been over two years now and I can still remember SKIP.

I look back at the whole class. I can remember most of the classes names and a few faces. But I will always remember Skips.

our class shirts had 13-13 on the front that would be skips badge number. I just came back from the sheriffs updates class we take every two years and I did see a few deputy's from york county.

I will always keep Skip in my mind, Mrs. Schroeder, I wish you the best..

Deputy Pete Hooker
Wayne County Sheriffs Dept. PA

May 24, 2007

We still think of you every day and miss you very much. Life goes on but we will never be the same. You were so full of energy, happiness, and love. We miss your smile, your jokes and your forever happy face. Many lives were forever changed that fateful day. We are taking care of Rox for you and know we will be reunited some day.

sister-in-law

April 27, 2007

The moment that you died
my heart was torn in two
one side filled with heartache
the other died with you.
I often lie awake at night,
when the world is fast asleep
and take a walk down memory lane,
with tears upon my cheeks.
Remembering you is easy
I do it everyday,
but missing you is heartache
that never goes away.
I hold you tightly within my heart
and there you will remain.
Always and forever
Until we meet again.

Happy Anniversary. Today would be 24 years.
I still expect you to walk through the door
with that big smile you always had on your face.

Love you and miss you everyday.
Rox

Roxanne / wife

April 16, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones today as the 2nd anniversary of your end of watch has arrived. You have been thought of every hour of every day over the past two years and those that love you will continue to do so. You will never be forgotten as you are a true hero and heroes never die. Keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. Thank you for your dedicated service to law enforcement and your country.

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

January 10, 2007

I cannot beleive it is two years today that you were taken from us. The pain is as terrible today as it was then. We still cannot believe you are gone. I know someday we will be together again and that is what gets me through each day without you.
Please watch over your family and friends and keep us all safe until we walk the streets of Heaven with you.

Love you and miss you always.
Rox

Roxanne
Wife

January 10, 2007

You will never be forgotten sir. God bless your family and may you always watch over them from above.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

January 10, 2007

May The Lord bless you and your loved ones.

January 10, 2007

We celebrated Christmas this year in honor of you. I presented your mom, brother and sister with the picture that was presented to me in Washington at Police Week. I also framed the crayon indentations from the wall that shows your name in blue. We cried and hugged and missed you so much it hurt. As we sat down to dinner, we prayed for all of your brothers and sisters that do this job and put their life on the line everyday but love what they do, just as you did. You are missed every day and even though we can now talk about you and laugh with each other telling funny stories about you, I cannot begin to explain to someone that has never gone through losing the love of their life the deep pain that is there every minute of every day. We love you and miss you so much. Merry Christmas with love always. Rox 2006

Roxanne
Wife

December 26, 2006

Today is your birthday. This is the second one that you are not here with me to celebrate. I miss you everyday. I try to share funny stories about you so that we laugh instead of cry. Sometimes it works, but most times it doesn't.
I know you look down on us everyday, so today we look up towards the sky and wish you Happy Birthday.
Love and miss you. Rox

Roxanne
Wife

November 22, 2006

You sir are an inspiration. I hope to soon become a Deputy myself, and to see the sacrifice you made preform to the best of your ability truely does inspire me. I am saddened in the fact I had the privilage of being your Dispatcher. Rest in peace sir, and I hope to someday call you brother.

Dispatcher 86

York County 9-1-1 Dispatcher

July 7, 2006

Uncle Skip, I miss you so much. It gets hard sometimes when I come over and your not there but someday I'll see ya again and it will be great. Plus I realize you died doing something you loved and I wouldn't want it any other way. I love you and miss you so much everyday. Rest in piece uncle skip. love you.

Amanda
Neice

May 21, 2006

We were there for you in Washington. I am sure you were looking down and smiling as your mother, brother, sister and I walked down to place the flower in the wreath. We miss you so much but try to go on as you would want us to. Your brother's from the sheriff's office were there also and honored your memory as well. You were so loved and I hope you knew that. If you didn't when you were here with us, you sure know it now.
Love and miss you everyday
Rox

Roxanne
Wife

May 16, 2006

We will be in Washington with honor and respect to hear your name read.

Linda Rittenhouse, Matt's Mom
Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/04

Linda Rittenhouse

May 1, 2006

To Deputy Edward (Skip) Schroeder and his loved ones:

On this the fourteenth month after your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart goes out to your family. You’re in our thoughts and our prayers.
I hope that we are able to meet in D.C.

Skip, you rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Deputy Schroeder. Semper Fi.


This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Skip gave to his community and the citizens of Pennsylvania, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on January 10,2005.

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

March 11, 2006

We think of you every day and know you were happy and oh so proud of what you were doing. You were always happy, smiling, joking and enjoying life. We were very proud of you and miss you oh so much. We think of you always. Loving you always.

Brother & Sister-in-law
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Florida

March 1, 2006

Please know that you are remembered for your dedication and service as we acknowledge the one year anniversary of your death. May you always be thought of as a hero, and may you rest in peace.

Linda Lamm - LEO Wife and Sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

January 10, 2006