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 11, 2007

YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN, REST IN PEACE

DEPUTY E. BELMAR
BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE , SAN ANTONIO, TX

August 15, 2007

Pat, I am so glad to have met you. I know you will view this page and reflect about your husband. What a wonderful man he was. I know he is so proud of you for what you are doing. You inspired me and so many others at the retreat.

We'll always be friends!

Janice Starnes
Canoeing Friend

October 10, 2006

Pat, I am so glad we got to catch up at Spouses this year. I know it was not an easy time for either of us, being the first time either of us attended Spouses, even after all these years. Just know that you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I hope to see you again on my next trip to visit my family in NJ. Stay strong! You are an amazing woman!

Love,
Stacy

Stacy Cullinane Smith
Surviving Spouse of Patrolman Mickey Cullinane
EOW 8/26/92, Sea Isle City, NJ Police Department AND
Spouse of a Montgomery County, MD Police Department

September 27, 2006

i am the widow of joesph rybka i just wanted to put a thank you here for all that remember him every day there are more hellos from officers i don't know, its great thank you patricia rybka god bless all!!!

Patricia Rybka
Widow of Deputy Rybka

January 7, 2006

DEPUTY RYBKA,
IT WAS TOUCHING TO SEE YOUR WIFE'S REFLECTION. AFTER ALL THIS TIME YOU ARE STILL REMEMBERED AND LOVED. YOU WERE OBVIOUSLY A GOOD MAN. KEEP WATCH FROM BEYOND AND GOD SPEED.

DISPATCHER9520
SAUK COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPT

January 7, 2006

this was my husband it will be 27 years jan. 7 that he gave his life for all of us. there isn't a day thats doesn't go by that iam thinking of him, he loved his job. god bless , patricia rybka

patricia rybka widow

January 4, 2006

Joseph,

I just learned of your falling in an email from your wife. Clearly, you have not, nor will you ever be, forgotten.

There is a beautiful poem that gives us solace when an officer falls...

Final Inspection
The Policeman stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, officer. How shall I deal with You?
Have you always turned the other cheek? To my Church have you been true?"

The officer squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Cause those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.

But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep,
Though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me, I 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've 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 officer waited quietly for the answer of his God.

"Step forward now, Officer, you've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's Streets. You've done your time in Hell."

-Author Unknown-


While you left to soon, we must believe that God needed you in Heaven.

Thank you for your service, and please keep watch over the rest of us.

Sgt. Andrew

January 3, 2006

You were a great partner and we miss you. Rest in peace my brother.

Det. Lt. Jim Kostoplis
Hamilton Police Division

November 1, 2005

Rest in peace my brother.

Police Officer
Burlington Township PD

October 12, 2004

Rest In Peace , your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Police Officer
Chicago Police

September 30, 2004

Deputy Rybka Jr.

You died a hero....

You are not forgotten..

God Bless

Retired Detective
Baltimore County Police

January 7, 2004