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 26, 2007

G-d Bless

April 27, 2007

"Bull," still not many days go by if any that I don't think of you. I was so lucky to have you in my life, if only for a short time. It is still so difficult some days without you, even though I know you hand picked David especially for me and Chas. I just hate that Chas never got to experience the excitement and love you felt for him. You will always be on mind and in my heart.

With deep love
Your wife forever
Kim

Kim Stewart
widow

September 1, 2006

To My Buddy Bull,
I am working a midnight shift right now just as you were on that fateful night...I think of you always and remember that gleam in your eye. I remember visiting the post as a kid and hoping to be just like you one day. It was you that provided me the inspiration to become the best I could be, and I have-A Post 30 Trooper. I remember the motto that you hung in the weight room at the post and I live by your creed - THE MORE YOU SWEAT IN HERE, THE LESS YOU WILL BLEED ON THE ROAD. Your friend, TFC Jason Ellis #198

TFC Jason Ellis #198
Georgia State Patrol

March 29, 2004

BULL, PLEASE WATCH OVER US AS WE PATROL THE HIGHWAYS ANS BYWAYS OF OUR GREAT STATE. WE LOVE YOU BULL! BIG BLUE! BIG GRAY!

GSP TROOPERS ASSOCIATION

November 1, 2003

Having been a former Trooper, i had the honor of conducting the wedding ceremony for Bull and his first wife in Albany, Georgia. I am wheelchair bound, but the Post 9 personnel arranged for me to be at the memorial dedication at Post 30, Cordele. The Post Commander, Sgt CW Bennett, allowed me to join the Post 30 personnel during this ceremony, because Post 30 was my last duty post when i left to enter the Ministry. I was honored and deeply moved to have been a part of both of these ceremonies by which Bull was remember. God bless each officer and their families.

Trooper
Georgia State Patrol

I never knew you. I have grown up in the GSP family and a trooper is all I have ever wanted to be. I have worked around the state as a CEO and I have met many people that knew you and from what I have been told, I can't imagine a better person. You were a very beloved trooper and are missed to this day by many. All you have to mention is, "Bull", and everyone knows who you are referring to. I hope that one day when I can join the ranks of State Trooper that I might have you watching over me.

CEO J ALLEN
Georgia State Patrol