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

October 22, 2007

Uncle Randy, you never got to meet me I was born almost 6 years after you death. You look over me daily and i hope I make you proud. I am so proud of what you had done in your life. Thank you for giving your life to protect another. My mom (Diane) has told me all I want to know about you. You are my uncle and no matter what has happened in the family you are never forgotten. I love you more than anyone knows. I think about you more than anyone knows, and I go and visit you more than anyone would think a 21 year old girl would go meet someone she never knew. I love you uncle Randy and you are my HERO. Thank you for what you have done. I will never forget you.
Love your niece
Ashley Reimer

Ashley Reimer
Niece

August 13, 2007

I regret to say never met you Randy but,our hearts were broken all the same when you left us. Rose,your fiance is my niece. She did marry another Freeport police officer.

John Veer
friend

December 5, 2006

Thank you for your service and please know that you will always be remembered for the sacrifice you have made.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

November 22, 2006

Officer Blank, you will never be forgotten and will be remembered in my daily prayers along with all our Fallen Officers. thank you for your hard work and dedication and the sacrifice you made protecting the people of Illinois. God Bless you as you conitnue to slelep in God's Love and Peace.
Respectfully,
Kathi Halligan Phila PA wife and mom of LEO's

Kathi Halligan
Phila., PA.

October 6, 2006

Randy,

It has been almost 25 years since you left all of us. I am proud to say that I have followed in your footsteps and became an officer too. The hardest part was telling your mom my decision but she has always been supportive and says that she prays for me. Of course my mom and dad weren't happy about my decision either but they have learned to accept it. I know that you have watched over me these past 10 years and I wish we could have shared "cop stories" together. I vistited the Police Memorial in October and was proud to see your name there and get an etching. I will be ride in the Police Memorial Bike ride in May to raise money for the Memorial and a Museum. I plan on having your picture with me on the ride. I wish I would have had more time to know you but your memory will always be around us. Rest in peace, your cousin - Kim

Det. Kim Baker
Pheonix PD

April 11, 2005

I didnt know who oyu were, but my dad worked with you for a few years, and i came across your memeorial card in a box of some pictures, and as the qestioned that enters every cops kid's minds, is WHY. Now after knowing you from stories, you never ahd a chance to live a long life and fulfill your career. Now we new generation cop's will be out there fighting to catch those who have taken the best cops off the streets. I know that all the officers out there think about you every day and do what they do for the people of the community and for you fallen soldiers. I will do my duty with you in the back of my mind, and Serve and Protect.

Annonymous

March 18, 2005

Rand,

Deb & I listened to Delbert last night, and he spoke about you and the rest of our guys who met your same fate. I had tears in my eyes thinking about you and the other guys I know, Dave from North Chicago, You, and Kevin Rice. We miss all the good times and laughs that we shared when we came on, and over the few years you had left. I know that the guys that you worked with in Freeport feel the same. Being one of your pall bearers was tough, but we know that you would have done the same. I miss you Rand, and will never, never forget you. I think of you always........Russ.

Anonymous

21 years have past since you were taken from our fold, yet your name is spoken daily, your memory lingers through the halls and squadroom. You are missed, but you are not forgotten.

May your soul rest with God. May your family find their peace. May the commnunity never forget you. We, your family in blue, have not forgotten you, Randy. Rest in pease my brother in blue.

Your Fellow Officers
Rockford Police Department