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 19, 2007

I love you Dad. I still struggle with losing you everyday.

Derrick Dunston
Son

December 1, 2007

Unfortunately i didnt get a chance to meet my cousin Jimmy but,i did get to meet my lovely cousins which i love dearly. From what i did get to know about him i knew we would have hit it off. I think he is a strong man & he has a very close knitt family that loved him unconditonally. R.I.P Jimmy.



Ucebia Wilson

2nd. cousin of wife

November 30, 2007

Rest in Peace Sir

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

November 29, 2007

I will never forget the day that my uncle Jimmy was taken away from us. My father and uncle Jimmy are brothers. His death has left our family devastated. The Lord has blessed our family with a close loving relationship with my aunt and 3 cousins that uncle Jimmy was forced to leave behind. Uncle Jimmy's mother in-law, brother(my father), sister in-law( my mother in 1986) and his mother have passed in the last 4 yrs. A part of me finds peace knowing they are all together again especially having seen first hand how each of them were effected by such a tremendous loss. Uncle Jimmy I think of you often and look at you everyday as your picture hangs in my living room. I love and miss you dearly.

Loretta Marshall- Legrone

November 28, 2007

This officer's life was taken on the day I was born. I hope to somewhat be a continuation of his legacy by my service as a police officer in the NYPD. You exemplified what I strive to be everyday. May you rest in peace, brother in blue.

PO MENDEZ
NYPD

May 11, 2007

Jimmy was a guy everyone called "Super Duck," I loved working with him and I was glad I was his friend. It was a honor to serve with you Jimmy, rest well my brother.

Capt. Floyd Berry
NYCHAPD

March 19, 2007

Officer Dunston, today marks the 26th anniversary of your murder. The Housing Authority Police Department is now just a part of history and you too are a part of history. You are a part of history to be proud of and to be sad about. You served honorably for 11 years as a Housing Police Officer and now your name and the memory of you lives on. I respect your service and mourn your loss, despite having never met you.

God Bless and may you continue to Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

November 20, 2006

Sorry that i did not get to know you. I met James when he
was 4 yrs old. His father jimmy dunston was my mothers
brother. may you rest in peace. My brother bill edwards
sent me this website. I will pass it on to other family
members.

Essie J Byrd
cousin

September 11, 2006

Just happen to find this page. Thank you for honoring my relative. I pray everyday for all those that risk their life on our behalf.

Bill Edwards

Bill Edwards
1st cousin

July 31, 2006

It is with great humility, and pride that I salute officer Dunston. Officer Dunston's wife's cousin Ron Jones was married to my first cousin Madonna. Sadly Ron is not with us anymore but I will always remember the good times we all had. Who knew so many years ago that my daughter Leslie would also become one of N.Y.'s finest as is her husband. It takes a very special human being to do this job, and I truly have respect for each, and every one of them. I pray that all of N.Y.'s finest will always do their best, and that we the citizen will support them. God Bless you Jimmy.

Terrie Brown-Cox
family member by marriage(cousin)

June 14, 2006

~~~Eternally and Always~~~

I didn't get to say goodbye
You're gone without a reason why
I've loved you all of my life
and then you weren't there

I didn't get a chance to say
how much I cared
I can't even remember the tears
that I cried
All I really wanted was to tell you
Goodbye

When I last saw you I felt I wouldn't
see you again
There was a distance between us
that I couldn't explain
You wouldn't look
at me but I could see the tears
in your eyes
If you knew then
You should have told me
Then I could have said
Goodbye

So many words left unspoken
So many hearts left so broken
My love for you is forever
And that will never die
We'll be together always
Our souls are one with God
Eternally and Always
I'll never have to say
Goodbye

Anonymous

February 10, 2005

~~~ Living My Life Without You ~~~

Living my life without you, tell me what am I going to do?
Some days I feel like screaming --- tell me, am I still dreaming?

Living my life without you, tell me why am I so blue?
Some days life seems so unfair --- tell me, does anyone really care?

Living my life without you, tell me do you miss me too?
Some days I’d like to fly away --- tell me, what is heaven like each day?

Anonymous

January 25, 2005

~~~~~The Broken Chain~~~~~

We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name.~~In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same.~~It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you, the day God called you home.~~You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide; and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side.~~Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same; but as God calls us one by one, the Chain will link again.

January 23, 2005

~~~To those I Love and Those Who Love Me~~~

When I am gone, release me, Let me go
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now it's time I traveled alone.

So grieve a while if indeed you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a while that we must part
So bless the memories within your heart,

I won't be far away, for life goes on
So if you need me, call and I will come
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near
And if you listen with your heart, you'll
Hear all of my love around you soft and clear

And when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and say,
"Welcome Home"

January 15, 2005

rest in peace blue angel.

S. Yates
Concerned citizenl