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

December 5, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service.

VanDenBerghe
Nh

October 20, 2007

When I was a child Mike took me under his wing and turned my life around. Mike was the model for what an officer should be. He truly cared for the whole world. I am glad you have this site. I still have all the yellowed newspaper clippings and take them out to have a cry every year because Mike missed by two weeks one of the fruits of his hard work to help a citizen in need. Mike, if you are out there somewhere, you are still loved and cared for because you cared and acted on it to help youth in need. You were out to save the world one person at a time and you touched many lives and you are missed by so many.

Love,

D.

D.
touched by an angel

November 7, 2006

To the family and friends of Investigator Davis and his fellow deputies with the Riverside Couty Sheriff's Dept.:

On behalf of our entire family, I wish to extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Investigator Davis, along with other law enforcement officers, tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash.

May you continue to be comforted by the caring and support of your law enforcement family, and other police survivors. Our family grieves with you and for you.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the many years of service Investigator Davis gave to his community and to his country, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on October 24, 1988.

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

October 24, 2005

To the family and friends of Investigator Davis and his fellow deputies with the Riverside Couty Sheriff's Dept. and his fellow agents in the Dipomatic Security Service:

On behalf of our entire family, I wish to extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Investigator Davis was brutally murdered while serving our country.

May you continue to be comforted by the caring and support of your law enforcement family, and other police survivors. Our family grieves with you and for you.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the many years of service Mike gave to his community and to his country, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on October 24, 2004.

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

October 24, 2005

Deputy Davis paid the ultimate price. It was unfortunate that a deputy of his talent would be taken from us so soon. I worked with Mike in narcotics enforcement and remember the day he was selected to participate in the border task force. I begged my supervisor to let me go, but was denied because I was involved with another investigation. It would have been me, not Mike if I would have been selected. Mike is in a better place and we continue to walk the thin blue line......

Lt. Steve Rinks
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, California

April 1, 2004