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

January 2, 2008

Uncle Frank,

I think about you all the time. Everytime I talk to a police officer I tell them about you. I can't believe it will be 33 years on 2/02/08.
I have visited your patrol station and I have been down in DC. I still read the daily news article from 1975 every once in a while. It is a little yellow these days but that ok.

Take care,
Freddie

Frederick McCourt
Proud nephew

December 28, 2007

I have just learned of this great site- I worked with Frank while assigned to the old Safety Unit B in 1966/67. A great guy who always helped a really dumb rookie-

God Rest your soul my friend.

Steve

Steve Schiffman
Safety Unit B

December 27, 2007

CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED WITH THIS CASE? I CAN'T BELIEVE THE TWO PERPS WERE HOUSING COPS. MAKES ME THROW UP

RET PO JOHN ENGEBRETSEN
NYPD

August 27, 2007

FRANK OUR THOUGHTS ARE STILL WITH YOU< GONE BUT NOT
FORGOTTEN MAY YOU REST IN PEACE

po tom burke retrd
fellow officer

March 3, 2007

God Bless you and your family

Det, Jim Mulligan (retired)
NYPD

February 2, 2007

Officer Bugdin Jr., Thank you for your service to the great city of NY. May your family always know that you are a true hero.

God Bless You.

SA Josh Ruhlen
FDA/OCI NYFO

September 8, 2006

I am Retired from the 62 pct on disability retirment in the LOD. My uncle Retired P.O.
Phil Baroni was P.O. Bugdin's partner that day on this tragic day. I just wanted to say that I was not there but I felt the pain that my uncle went through,and God bless the family of P.O. Bugdin.

RETIRED P.O. William J Kestler Jr #24688
NYCPD

March 22, 2005

Officer Bugdin,
On this the 30th anniversary of your murder, I thank you for your service to this country. Rest in peace Brother.

Patrol Officer

February 2, 2005

Thirty years ago today you gave your life protecting the citizens of New York city. You are not forgotten.

February 2, 2005

Frank, you were a warrior . . I honor you. With brotherly love and utmost respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer.)

Jim Crotty, Special Agent (Ret.) ATF
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms

November 4, 2004

Your sacrifice is not forgotten

Investigator Joe Willis
Anderson Co. (TX) DA office

June 29, 2004

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. YOU SERVED WELL MY BROTHER. A HERO FOR SURE.

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

February 2, 2004