Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Today marks 36 years that you have been gone. I remember that day as if it just happened but there are so many other wonderful days before then to remember. You will always be the one I love, the one who showed me what love is like. Thank you so much for everything you gave me: happy memories, hope, love, maturity, and best of all, two wonderful kids who grew up to be like you. I hope you are proud of us.
I love you,
Leanne

Leanne Heggen-Eckstein
Wife

July 23, 2009

No special reason or date, I just missed you so much tonight and wanted to tell you how much I love you.
Leanne

Leanne Heggen Eckstein
Wife

May 20, 2009

No special reason or date, I just missed you so much tonight and wanted to tell you how much I love you.
Leanne

Leanne Heggen Eckstein
Wife

May 20, 2009

Merry Christmas, Bud. I cherish the memories of days spent with you and I miss you so much.
With love,
Leanne

Leanne Heggen Eckstein
Wife

December 24, 2008

It's hard to believe it's been 35 years, Bud, when in so many ways it feels like only yesterday. You'll never be forgotten.

Anonymous

July 27, 2008

Another year has passed and we love you even more.
With all my love, Leanne

Leanne Heggen Eckstein
Wife

July 23, 2008

Agent Heggen,
On today, the 35th anniversary of your death, I would just like to say thank you to you and your partner for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

July 23, 2008

Thinking of you during Police Memorial Week and missing you more than ever. You believed in what you did and made the world a safer place. I love you, Bud. Leanne

Leanne Heggen Eckstein
Wife

May 11, 2008

"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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

March 12, 2008

35 yrs. this July and you will never be forgotten! God Bless the family & friends of Special Agent Heggen...

Ret. PO
City of Miami PD Fla.

January 10, 2008

Merry Christmas, Bud. I miss you so much and I wish you were here with us.
With love,
Leanne

Leanne Heggen Eckstein
wife

December 24, 2007

I am so thankful for the years we had with you, Bud.
With love, Leanne

Leanne Heggen Eckstein

November 22, 2007

It has been 34 years now and it still seems like only a short time has passed. I will always miss and love you.
Leanne

Leanne Heggen Eckstein
wife

July 24, 2007

Merry Christmas, Bud. I love and miss you.
Leanne

leanne heggen-eckstein
wife

December 25, 2006

We never had the privelege of knowing you personally but you lived on in the stories and memories of your family. We always felt you were a really special person and you left Leanne and your children with a great legacy to be proud of. Phil, Mary, James and Tom

Dependent wife Mary Gervais
friend of family

August 19, 2006

I love you, Bud.
Leanne

leanne heggen-eckstein
wife

July 23, 2006

To my husband Bud--you are loved and missed as much today as you were the day we lost you. I love you so.
Leanne, Debbie, and Mike

Leanne Heggen-Eckstein

July 29, 2005

MAY GOD BLESS YOU. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. A HERO FOR SURE. YOU SERVED WELL MY BROTHER.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

July 23, 2004