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

August 28, 2007

Michael, Your Dad joined you March 14, 2007. I hope the two of you are in
each other's arms again. He never did get over losing you, not that I have
either, but I did manage to go on with life. Now I have neither of you but
I'll handle it, also. I love you both so very much.

Love, Mom

Beth Ann Davis
Mother

May 3, 2007

Joel,
It has been 19 years since year since I received that call about your death while working mids in San Leandro. I still remember you riding as a Reserve and as full time Officer. You will always be on my mind.

Det. T. Nguyen
SLPD & Former EPAPD Officer

May 1, 2007

I never got to meet the wonderful and magnificent person that you were. I wish I did and some day I will! We both know now that your father is with you as with mine. As i sit here and mourn, I am jealous that you are with both. I learned at the ripe age of 10 years old that death is a part of life. I didn't like that at all! I was named after your father, my uncle Joel. I want to tell you something, your father was the greatest man I have ever known and I loved him like he was my own father. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about the both of them.

Aaron Joel Davis
Cousin

April 20, 2007

I think of you and miss you daily. I was just watching a CSI show where the
widow did a Google of her police officer husband, killed in the line of duty,
and I just thought I would see what I could find.

Dad is very ill, and he too misses you daily.

Oh, if I could just hold you in my arms one more time. The pain never leaves.
Love, Mom

Beth Ann Davis
Mother

January 22, 2007

thank you for your services and dedication.god bless and r.i.p.

deputy
fairfield county s.o. lanc,ohio

November 23, 2006

Diana,

I attended the memorial for Rich at the SJ Arena.

I know that Joel and Rich have met by now. I appreciate your efforts on having the city hang pictures of Rich and Joel.

Please let me know if there is anything we can do to assist in this effort. Or if there is anything else I can do for you.

Akiko Koda

Akiko Koda
fiance

August 26, 2006

To Akiko and Joel's family, my husband was the second officer to be killed in the line of duty in East Palo Alto. I am trying to get the department to hang both my husband Rich and Joel's pictures in the lobby where they can both be seen, so the community will never forget them or the sacrifice they made for the city of East Palo Alto.
It's so strange, our oldest daughter was born one day exactly before Joel was killed (6/21/88) she just went away to college, and my husband Rich's badge number was 33 and I noticed Joel's was 32.
I wonder if they have met each other in heaven.

Mrs. Diana May
Wife of fallen police officer
Rich May East Palo Alto EOW 1/7/06

Diana May
wife of fallen police officer Rich May

August 15, 2006

I still think about you every day....to a good friend.

Sgt. Kathy Eshoo
Post Falls Police

June 22, 2006

It has been 18 long years but you are not forgotten and I still love you.

Akiko Koda
fiance

June 4, 2006

I never knew you, but have been told about you several times. I think about you frequently. You have left a lasting mark on our community.

March 19, 2006

Brother Davis,

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Respectfully,
You’re Brothers in Blue

Untouchables LE Motorcycle Club

January 8, 2006

Rest in peace BLUE ANGEL!

September 23, 2005

Joel, I can't believe it has been 14 years. I still think about you each day. God Bless.

Kathy Eshoo

Joel, my good friend, I will always miss your smiling face and I will remember the fun times we had. I will always keep you in my heart. Peace be with you friend.

Sgt. Kathy Eshoo
Menlo Park P.D., Calif.