Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Police Officer Robert Carey Deckard, Jr.

San Antonio Police Department, Texas

End of Watch Friday, December 20, 2013

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Reflections for Police Officer Robert Carey Deckard, Jr.

This poem was written after getting my wife’s 19 years perspective of being a police officer’s wife.


“He Does it For You!”

He doesn’t do it for the money,
Cause surely there’s something better to do,
He says, “Someone has to do it!”
So really, he does it for you.

His eight to twelve hours is from call to call,
From a murder to a cat in a tree,
You say he’s never around when you really need him,
But without him, where would you be?

You curse him when you get a speeding ticket,
And scream there’s something better he could do,
But have you looked at how many deaths there are on the highways,
So really, he’s doing it for you.

He’s always seeing so much bad in the world,
He really doesn’t know what to do,
He wonders sometimes if it’s even worth it,
But he knows he has to do it for you.

Each day when he leaves for work,
And I always kiss him good-bye,
I don’t know if I’ll see him again,
Cause the day might be the day he dies.

So many times he comes home from work,
And I see a small tear in his eyes,
I ask him what is the problem dear?
And he says another innocent person has died.

You always say a cop isn’t human,
Cause at a tragedy he’s cool from the start,
But you don’t have to live with him,
And watch his mind and heart break apart.

I remember one hot June night at work,
His supervisor came, “Your husband’s been hurt!”, he said,
It was such a long ride to the hospital,
They wouldn’t say if he was alive or dead.

Crime is always on the increase,
The streets a battle ground,
And when one in “Blue” is slain,
At the funeral-taps will sound.

He’ll lay in a flagged draped coffin,
An honor for those who die for this land,
Just like the Army, Navy and Marines,
He died by the enemies hands.

Most ordinary citizens won’t be at the funeral,
But you’ll see plenty of people wearing blue,
You’ll see dozens of marked patrol cars,
Honoring the one who died for you.

Written by David L Bell Copyright © 1991
Retired Deputy Sheriff after over 38 years
Richland County Sheriff’s Dept
Columbia, SC

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 20, 2013

My deepest condolences to the family and co workers of Officer Bobby Deckard. Gratitude for his selfless service.

Chaplain Sam Faraone
El Paso, TX Police Department

December 20, 2013

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO! May God
Give the family and friends the strength and faith to deal with this tragic loss. Words can not express my sorrow!

"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

Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

This may be re-posted in the Honor of his death and the death of any Law Enforcement Officer!

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 20, 2013

A Hero Gone Too Soon <3 RIP Officer Deckard. Continued Prayers for Loved Ones and His Law Enforcement Family.

Andrea Runions
Michigan State Police Wife

December 20, 2013

My sincerest sympathy to the family and friends of Police Officer Robert Deckard as well as to the San Antonio Police Department. Rest in peace Officer Deckard, you are gone but will not be forgotten...

Dispatcher Sue Rusch
Punta Gorda PD, Punta Gorda FL

December 20, 2013

My Dear Brother in Blue,

Your sacrifice for us will always be remembered! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Det Reggie FREEMAN
San Antonio Police

Detective/Investigator
San Antonio Police

December 20, 2013

Gid Speed officer Deckard

Tbomas
Speakman

December 20, 2013

Such a tragic loss. May God Bless and keep Officer Deckard's family and friends - not only as they mourn letting go of their loved one, but as days go by and they experience a myriad of emotions. He watches you from Heaven now.

Darles

December 20, 2013

Your actions undoubtedly saved the lives of others. Rest brother, we'll take it from here...

Trooper
NYSP

December 20, 2013

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Robert Deckard. Another Hero taken too soon. May God comfort you and your family as you go and touch the face of God.
Your honorable service and sacrifice and bravery to the citizens of San Antonio, Texas will not be forgotten. God Speed and God Bless. Rest in Peace Sir.


May the children of Officer Deckard, know that their Daddy, is a HERO who we will not forget and will forever be in his debt for all he has done for us Officer Deckard. Thank You for your service and protection to us all, may you rest in peace. God bless you and your family.

Final Salute

VIPS 750 Jeff Claybern
Alexandria Kentucky Police Department

December 20, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with Officer Deckard's family and his Brothers and Sisters in Blue. Rest in peace.

Deputy Johanna Polo
Monroe County Sheriffs Dept Rochester NY

December 20, 2013

Prayers from the Alaska State Troopers

Officer J. Sharkey
Alaska State Troopers

December 20, 2013

Go with God young patrolman; and join your fellow officers whom have gone before you. We will see you at the gates of Heaven when we get there. Rest Now.

Retired Trooper Larry Gladden
Tennessee Highway Patrol

December 20, 2013

Rest well Brother, Thank you for your service and sacrifice God will comfort and keep your family.

Sheriff J.Dale Butler
Deaf Smith County Texas

December 20, 2013

Rest In Peace, prayers to his family and friends, many of us will take watch from here sir...thank you for your service Officer Deckard.

Dispatch Supervisor Tish Wright
Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office

December 20, 2013

San Antonio has been my adopted home since 2008. Thank you, Officer Deckard, for your service to our community. May you rest in peace.

Benjamin Kurata

December 20, 2013

My heart and prayers go out to his family including his Law Enforcement family.

Margi V, LE family member

December 20, 2013

Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy

S. I. Drake, Lt/IPD (Ret)
Indianapolis Police

December 20, 2013

Rest in peace brother, may the Lord be with our SAPD brothers, and Robert's love ones.

Dearest Jesus, who wept at the death of your friend
and taught that they who mourn shall be comforted, grant us the comfort of your presence in our loss.
Send Your Holy Spirit to direct us
lest we make hasty or foolish decisions.
Send Your Spirit to give us courage
lest through fear we recoil from living.
Send Your Spirit to bring us your peace
lest bitterness, false guilt, or regret take root in our hearts.

The Lord has given.
The Lord has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Amen.

O sweet mother Mary,
who knew the sadness of mourning those your heart loved most,
Jesus, your Son,
and Joseph, your devoted spouse,

pray for us in our time of loss.

Amen

Detention Officer O. Alvarez
Hurst Police Department

December 20, 2013

Rest In Peace Brother. The watch will continue on in memory of you. My condolences to your Family and the San Antonio PD.

Sgt Fred Nordt Jr.
Lake Success PD, Long Island, NY

December 20, 2013

Rest, brother.

Cpl Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

December 20, 2013

R.I.P Bobby

Deputy Rudy Weresch
Bexar County Sheriffs Office

December 20, 2013

RIP my brother. We will keep the fight in your remembrance.

Patrolman G. Robertson
St. Louis County Police Dept.

December 20, 2013

RIP Brother. Our thoughts & prayers are with you, your family & your agency. Thank you for what you have given.

Lt.Robert M.Petty (retired)
North Bergen, N.J.P.D.

December 20, 2013

Tragic. Rest in Peace Brother.

Corporal B.P. SULLIVAN
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

December 20, 2013

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