Norfolk Southern Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police
End of Watch Tuesday, October 7, 1997
Reflections for Special Agent Larry E. Jordan
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Godspeed Officer. 
THE POLICEMAN'S LAST ROLL CALL ... 
THE POLICEMAN STOOD AND FACED HIS 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 badges 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 just 
got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with 
fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept many 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 Lord, it needn't be so 
grand. I 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 policeman waited quietly, for the judgement of his God. "Step forward 
now, policeman, you've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's 
streets, you've done your time in hell." 
Author Unknown 
							A brother railroad officer				
Norfolk Southern Railway			        
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