 | Detective Gary Lee Ward
Oklahoma City Police Department
Oklahoma
Saturday, February 2, 1985 |
To the members of Detective Gary Ward: My name is Thomas Riggs. I am the brother of Officer Richard O. Riggs who was killed just eleven months after Gary was killed in the line of duty. Altough I did not know Gary I heard alot of good about him and his service on the Police Force. We cannot replace Officers like Gary and Richard we can only add others into the system. Although we will never forget I can only hope that time has helped heal some of the pain. May God Bless you and know that Gary is in a better place. Thomas Riggs
2009-08-07
YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERIVCE Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH
2008-01-28
"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
2008-01-09
What a priviledge it was to serve with my friend Gary Ward. We shared a lot of things, good and not so good, funny and not so funny. I love your family and think of you and them often. I know your heart was right with God when you left this world. I hope to see you again and we can finish our talks without being dispatched to a call. Car 20 to 24, meet me at the corner. Detective John Lane
OCPD
2005-11-15
A friend of my lost a good friend and this world has lost a good man... Our Prayers are with you and him alike.. BL *RS*
DF2
2005-04-15
I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.
2005-04-12
Gary I never met you but I was the officer who found you on that lonely night at the Holiday Inn.
I had only been on the job for 6 months. I am sorry that I could not have been there when you needed it most.
Lieutenant Mike Norris Lieutenant Mike Norris
O.C.P.D.
2004-08-12
Detective Ward, thank you for a job well done. You will never be forgotten. Our prayers go out to your family.
Sincerely,
Lyndell & Elizabeth Taylor
Parents of
Morris Lyn Taylor
Deputy Sheriff (Douglas County, Oregon)
EOW 9-14-02
2004-03-28
Thank you Detective Ward for giving us your all. T. Henshaw - Detective
Bell Gardens Police Department, CA
2004-02-09
 Return to top
No Reflections may be electronically reproduced without permission from the ODMP. Please use this contact form for further information or to report violations. | 
