Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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

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

May 11, 2014

Sgt Collum, may you rest in peace our brother. You'll never be forgotten.

Sgt Richard Eckert
Town of Chester PD

May 11, 2014

So saddened to hear the news.

May you rest in peace after having served those around you. My thoughts are with you, your family, fellow officers and friends.

Reserve Officer G. Krystof
Los Angeles Police Department

May 11, 2014

Rest in Peace Brother

Constable Retired
Winnipeg Polce Service

May 11, 2014

Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy

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

May 11, 2014

REST IN PEACE BROTHER. YOU ARE A TRUE HERO.

Deputy J.D.Davis
Pittsylvania County Sheriff's office

May 11, 2014

I am sorry to learn of the loss of a true hero in Master Sergeant John Collum. May the Loed bless and comfort his family, friends and peers.

JCOS TW Martinez
CYFD/JJS State of New Mexico

May 11, 2014

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You are a Hero Sergeant Collum. Thank you for doing your job. Rest in peace Dear Brother. God Bless. "HEROES LIVE FOREVER"

CATHERINE A. GARIBAY SANCHEZ
SURVIVING SISTER of DEPUTY SHERIFF
STEVEN GARIBAY EOW 2/10/1987

May 11, 2014

It may not always provide comfort but death in the wake of service is most noble. We as a family are extremely saddened that anyone else must go through what we did earlier this year, but we are extremely grateful for the sacrifices officers make everyday, especially the ultimate sacrifices. They pay it willingly and we the surviving family feel the sting of their loss. We are humbled by the noble price our law enforcement men and women are willing to pay to protect is all. We are truly sorry for your loss, and deeply thank you for your selfless sacrifice.

Sgt Cory Wride Family UCSO EOW 1/30/2014

May 11, 2014

Rest in peace MSGT Collum. My sincere condolences to your family and to your department. Godspeed as you now patrol the streets of gold.

OFC TERRY F. ZECH
VAPD DETROIT, MICHIGAN

May 11, 2014

Avenue of the Fallen

Standing at attention in their class “A“uniforms, badges gleaming and shoes like glass, are your brothers and sisters of Law Enforcement. All of whom have previously paid the ultimate price.
Today, like many others, they welcome you to this wonderful place.
As you march down the Avenue of the Fallen, all eyes focus on you as if to say “it’s OK, you’re with your eternal partners.”
A salute is followed and a tear can be seen on so many faces.
Welcome, you served well.
Now come join us in the ranks, another is coming home.
Officer Jim Weaver (#11452), Los Angeles Police Department retired
12-25-2010

Sheriff Jim Weaver (Retired)
Jerome County, Idaho

May 11, 2014

"The Final Inspection"
The policeman stood and faced his 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 badges 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 times 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 silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."
Author Unknown

Sergeant Chad Miner
Powell PD, WY

May 11, 2014

Rest in Peace. Sending prayers for your family ,friends and co-workers

Kevin Reitz
Phos-Chek Fire retadant Winnemucca,Nevada

May 11, 2014

RIP MGT Collum. Thank you for your many years to LE. May God watch over your Family and all LE>

Former Trooper Ken R. Bays
Virginia State Police

May 11, 2014

Rest in peace my Mississippi brother, we have the watch now. Thank you for your many years of service. God bless the family, friends, and co-workers of Sgt Collum during this time of tragic and senseless loss.

Senior Patrolman Donnie Meaders
Wewoka (OK) Police Department

May 11, 2014

Rest in peace brother. You will be greatly missed. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. May God wrap his arms around your family.

Sgt. Marshall McCraw
MS Dept. Of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks

May 11, 2014

Rest in Peace my brother may God watch over your family

Wm Spangenburg

May 10, 2014

May God comfort your family, friends and the men and women of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. You are all in our prayers.

M/Sgt Jason W. Ginn
Mississippi Highway Patrol

May 10, 2014

We are going to miss you, John. Not only were you an officer, you were our friend. Always there to offer a laugh through a joke or story or some shenanigan, we will forever miss that of you.
For your sweet wife, Mrs. Karen, God knew what he was doing when you two found each other. The way you twomgednoffmof each other's personalities never left a dull moment for anyone around you. The face of true love.
Anyone who has ever been around your boys will know that their father truly lives on in his sons.
We know your family will miss him as much as we will as he was truly part of our family as well.
Not only did we loose a brother and an officer, more importantly we lost a great husband, father and grandad.

Sgt. Jay Holman
MDWFP

May 10, 2014

Rest with Angels Warden Collum. Your dedication, devotion, and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. Prayers for your family during this time in their lives.

retired Police Officer Bob Lester
Midland Texas Police Department

May 10, 2014

Godspeed. Rest in Peace brother!

Rob England

May 10, 2014

Rest in peace.

Sgt. Jim Russo

May 10, 2014

RIP Brother. Thoughts & Prayers are with you, your family and your department.

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

May 10, 2014

GOD BLESS YOU, YOUR FAMILY, & FRIENDS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNSELFISH SERVICE.

James P Waggle
Civilian

May 10, 2014

Thank you for your service.....My thoughts & prayers are with his family, friends & coworkers....R I P Sergeant Collum

Val Naugle

May 10, 2014