Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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Pride Integrity and Guts

Some of you may know my face, but not my name. Most of you have seen me around the city and some have even met me, but not always under the best of circumstances. Some of you have even spoken to me on the phone, when you called me while I was working.

Most of you have an opinion on how my job should be done, but would never take my job if it was the last one on earth. And some of you who don't even know me, hate me because of my job. But when I go to my job, I go to make a difference and so I can fight what everyone else fears.

When most would be running away from danger, my job requires me to run towards it. I do this in the hopes of making a difference for someone else I don't even know. Most people say I make too much money, because my pay is published in the newspaper. But don't think twice about hearing about another sports player sign a 20 million dollar contract for 6 months a year of playing a "game."

Since my job's base pay isn't the best I must work extra to pay the bills. Including working extra shifts on holidays, and pick up side work at construction sites as well on my days off, most still complain thinking I am greedy, but don't they realize that I to must pay taxes, have a mortgage car payments and kids in collage as well?

Don't they understand that I am not paid for what I do, but for what I am willing to do for them? After all how can you properly compensate someone to risk their own life and face danger everyday they go to work?

And when I go to work I am punched, kicked, spit on and called every name in the book for doing my job. And every night I leave my house to go to work I realize I may not come back home in the morning. Because when I go to work I can be stabbed, shot, drown, fall, be electrocuted, or die in a car accident rushing to help you.

My job also requires me to carry special "tools" to help me do my job. Sometimes even while doing my job I have to defend myself from someone attacking me. Although, the newspapers will report to you that I "beat someone down", and not that I defended myself from an attack.

While at work I must also carry a gun to protect you, but should I have to use it, the media reports to you that I "gunned someone down" or that I "shot and killed" somebody, and not that I defended myself. Don't they realize that I shoot to live and never to kill?

Also when I go to work I wrap a protective vest around me to help keep me safe through my shift. I use this vest so that I will be allowed to live to the end of my work day. And hope and pray that should something bad happen that this vest helps keep me alive so that I will be allowed to see my children grow.

And when I go to my job, I will see more pain, sorrow, agony, death and destruction in one month than most of you will see in an entire lifetime.


And to the ones who don't know me, I unforunetly will meet most of you at the worst times in your life.

You often will call me to come help you out with a problem. But if you have a really big problem you can get me at a special 3 digit number and me and my coworkers will race to your house, just to help you no questions asked. All you have to do is call and we will be there for you, no matter what time, day, night or holiday, rain shine or blizzard.

Sometimes my job also requires me to deliver lectures, babies and even bad news. I am also the one required to ring your doorbell in the middle of the night, swallow hard and advise you that a loved one will not be coming home tonight, then I spend the rest of my shift wondering why I ever took such a job.

Some people even refer to me as a "pig," but when I hear that word called to me or one of my coworkers I think of Pride, Integrity and Guts, which everyone in my profession needs to do this job.

Me and my coworkers must be able to have muscles of steel, have a sense of humor and put ourselves into dangerous situations and face danger head on all in a days work.

We must act in a second and make a decision in the blink of an eye, and spend the rest of our life hoping we made the right choice in that split second. If not we can be arrested and charged with breaking a law, be sued for violating someone's rights, or end up with even a worse fate.

My job requires me to take an oath to be their and to risk my life to protect you. And it is an oath that me and my fellow coworkers have taken and is one that we will not break.

What, you ask is my job? I am your local police officer. And what do I ask in return of doing all this and risking my life for you, nothing at all because it is my job and my hope, of being the one who makes the difference.

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Above Article was written last year by me for a local newspaper. It was then published in 3 more newspapers during National Police Week 2004.

Article Written By:

Officer Paul Cotter
Lynn Mass Police Dept.
www.lynnpolice.org

"Never Forgetting Them, and What They Have Done For Us!" - Paul Cotter

Off. Paul Cotter
Lynn MA PD

April 18, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Captain Carpenters family and friends. Please watch over us brother, for you are in a better place.

Officer Jack Manuel
Pocono Twp Police, Pa

April 18, 2005

On behalf of the men and women of Industry Sheriff's Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Captain Carpenter. Having lost Deputy Michael Arruda this past year (EOW 06-15-04), we know all too well the pain and reality of losing one of our own. Take comfort from knowing your extended law enforcement family grieves with you.

Industry Sheriff's Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

April 18, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of Captain Carpenter. May you find comfort in God's love and in the memories you have of this fine officer.

Linda Lamm - LEO Wife and Sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11/05/04

April 18, 2005

To the family and friends of Byron Carpenter

Our hearts and prayers are with you. There are no words that can express our deep sorrow for the loss of your loved one. May God comfort you.

Friend of Kurt Ford EOW 04/09/05
Douglas County Sheriffs Office

April 18, 2005

I read about this tragic event and wanted to express my family's sympathy for the family and fellow officers of Captain Byron.Reading the reflections left by those who knew him assures me that he has gone on to a better place. Our prayers are with you all. dana blankenship eden nc

dana blankenship

April 18, 2005

From the men and women of the Larned P.D. we will keep you in our prayers. Rest in peace brother.................

Chief of Police Charles R. Orth
Larned, Kansas Police Department

April 18, 2005

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

April 18, 2005

Well done good and faithful servant.

Rest in Peace.

Shawn Downs
Carolina Memorial Pipes & Drums

April 18, 2005

Captain Carpenter you have served your country and your community with honor. We will carry on from here. To the family of Captain Carpenter you all are in our thoughts and prayers. Please remeber that you are now part of a much larger family now. To the men and women of the Belmont Police Department hold your heads high as you all carry on. Be careful and watch each others back. Rest in Peace Boss.

Detective First Grade Robert F. Jackson
Metropolitan Police Department Washington DC/Homicide Branch

April 18, 2005

God bless Captain Byron Carpenter, his family, and the members of the Belmont Police Department

Corporal P.R. OLIVER
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

April 18, 2005

my heart goes out to byron family at this hard time, i had the honor of knowing bryon,and can tell you he will be missed.My prayers in the day ahead are for his family and dept.

Reserve DivisionSGT.L SMITH
MECKLENBURG COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

April 18, 2005

Cpt Carpenter
May God bless the Belmont PD in this time of mourninig and loss of a dear friend,co-worker,and leader.Cpt Carpenter was a great community leader and the city as well as other agencies mourn the loss with you.
You will never be forgoton
GOD BLESS

M L G
PCS

April 18, 2005

Captain Carpenter, may you know the peace and joy of God's kingdom. My thoughts and prayers are with your wife and children. You are truly a hero. Thank you for your many years of service to the community.
Mary Kay Balchunas
Mother of S/A Jay Balchunas,
EOW 11/5/04

April 18, 2005

I didnt know Captain Carpenter, but im sure he was a good officer to Belmont Police. God Bless the family, friends, and fellow officers of Captain Carpenter.

Jon- BLET Rookie
Gaston College

April 18, 2005

“REMEMBER ME”
Law enforcement officers are, indeed, a special breed of people. Ask anyone on the street and they will tell you that they would not have our jobs for anything in the world. It takes something special to do what we do and at the same time be able to even contemplate retirement. We try to be optimists. Unfortunately, there are a few of us who will never make that date with retirement. By the very nature of our job, we are at risk everyday of losing our lives, either at the hand of some deranged individual or in some other situation that we, by virtue of our occupation, may be unable to avoid. Some people have recognized the hazardous duties we involve ourselves in, the risks we take, and the pride we take in accomplishing that job. There is National Law Enforcement Week, dedicated to us who gladly accept the responsibility of protecting the citizens in our respective jurisdictions. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day is dedicated to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. These are but a two examples of remembrances specifically for law enforcement personnel. Remembrances that come but once a year. We should remind fellow officers of another type of remembrance, one that will last a lifetime. Sooner or later, a doctor will pronounce us dead. It is inevitable. Regardless of whatever happens, death is the end we will all have to face.
“IT IS IN DEATH THAT WE CAN LIVE FOREVER”
Author Unknown

Jim Moore
New Orleans P.D., Retired

April 18, 2005

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

April 18, 2005

Rest in Peace

Corrections Officer
Michigan Dept.of Corrections

April 18, 2005

AMERICA LOST ANOTHER HERO TODAY, CAPTAIN CARPENTER WAS ONLY DOING HIS JOB, AND DIED A HERO. MAKE GOD WRAP HIS ARMS AROUND THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND CONFORT YOU IN THIS TIME OF NEED. R.I.P.
BROTHER.

SGT. W. M. RILEY
ARAGON GA POLICE DEPT.

April 17, 2005

Rest in peace my brother.

Police Officer
Burlington Township PD NJ

April 17, 2005

My family would like to send our heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, & fellow co-workers of Captain Byron Carpenter. You're in our thoughts and prayers. May God watch over all the brave men and women in law enforcement who put their lives on the line everyday as they serve & protect their communities. Your job is a difficult one and we truly appreciate all you do. God bless each & everyone of you.

Gail M Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2-16-04

April 17, 2005

May God be with the Carpenter family and the Belmont Police Dept.You all are in my family's prayers.

Cpl. C.L. Fox
Mount Holly Police Dept.

April 17, 2005

Captain Carpenter,
May god bless you in your journey above us, please watch over us all while we watch over everyone else

Police Officer II Justin Fleming
High Point Police Department, NC

April 17, 2005

May God's presence be with the family, friends and co-workers of Captain Carpenter. Just know that there are lots of folks across the country that care very deeply and will hold you up in prayer. May God's blessings be upon you.

Patrolman D.E. Hutchison
Irving Police Deprtment, Texas, retired.

April 17, 2005

Captain Carpenter,
You and your family are in our prayers. Rest Easy Brother !

Dep. Paul Sperandeo, Off. Amy Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, Gretna Police Dept. LA

April 17, 2005