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.

July 10, 2007

Tony and I served in the US Air Force together as K-9 handlers. We were stationed in Germany in the early 80’s at Ramstein Air Base with the 86th Security Police Squadron. We all developed a brotherhood working together, keeping Europe a free and protecting America's interests abroad. Our last year together, was high times for us. Our unit was awarded the best Security Police large unit of the Air Force. Tony made the front page of the Stars & Stripes news paper. We spent many nights talking about what we were going to do after our enlistment was over. Tony wanted to be a civilian law enforcement officer as did I. We both returned to the U.S. excited to be able to start living our dreams.

When I heard about Tony’s murder I was devastated. He had just started his career with North Charleston Police Department and I with Montgomery Alabama Police Department.

As police officers we work to keep those we were charged to protect safe. You died holding on to those same principles and for that we truly thank you.

Now, I can truly honor Tony in a way that I’m sure speaks for the rest of us who knew and worked with you in the Air Force.

We love you Tony and will always remember you and know you are dearly missed. One day hopefully we will all meet again, to patrol together once more in the streets of Heaven.

May you rest in peace.

Lt. Dale R. Warke
Lebanon, Illinois Police Dept.

April 24, 2006

In over 22 years of city police work, I've lost 5 friends to this business. Patrolman Robert Anthony Way exemplifies what we expect of a cop. He did his job, took his hits, and delivered hits of his own. If only he could have lived to enjoy the rewards of his performance. Patrolman Way, you are MY hero, and God holds a special place for you in Heaven. Please look for me when I come, my brother.

Sgt. Bill Richardson
Anchorage, Alaska PD

September 8, 2004

The policeman stood and faced 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 a badge
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 time 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 a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

August 24, 2004

even though i never met tony, not a day goes by that i dont think of the sacrifice he made for our great city and this most honorable profession. everyone that knew tony always has only the best comments and feelings toward him, which will always be a credit to himself and his family.

PFC H.M.THOMAS
NCPD

I knew you so well, I miss you every day Tony....I will remain in Law Enforcement forever with that night in my head and in my heart....part of you still lives in my heart, as I watch my husband go out the door to his police dept each day he has duty...You have no idea how much I miss you...I will never forget you, your family nor that night ....EVER...Live on my brother, and watch over my husband, me and all the LEO's out here...My heart grieves and I still cry thinking about you and I will relive that night for the rest of my days...Missing you my friend.....C.D. Bruno

02-18-03 MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS THE WAY FAMILY. THEY TRULY HAD A HERO IN THIER MIST. YOU ARE GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER. WE HOPE TO MEET YOU ONE DAY ON THE CRIME FREE STREETS OF HEAVEN. GOD BLESS.

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

"Tony" Way was a friend of mine. We served together in the U.S. Air Force. We were both K-9 handlers at Ramstein AB in Germany in the early eighties.

I never really knew the circumstances surrounding his death until now through this website. I only heard about it through the grapevine from other service buddies. Now, I can honor Tony in a way that hopefully speaks for all of us who served with Tony in the Air Force -

You were always fun to be around, your humor and dedication to duty was something that kept all of us well grounded. We were all away from home and our loved ones--the brotherhood that we developed was done working together, keeping Europe a free and democratic society and protecting America's interests abroad. We worked together to keep those we were charged to protect safe. You died holding on to those same principles and for that we truly thank you.

We love you Tony we will always remember you and you are deeply missed.

Joseph N. Allard, Detective-Corporal
Pasadena (CA.)Police Deparment

Detective Joseph N. Allard
Pasadena (CA) Police Department