Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thankyou for your service and sacrifice. You will always be remembered and are a true hero for us all to look up too

POLICE OFFICER
PHILA PA

May 26, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

February 5, 2008

"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 24, 2008

Patrolman Love died trying to help another in need and paid the ultimate price. You will always be missed but also remembered for what you did. Thank you for your service.
Melissa
leo wife

February 8, 2007

Remembering you today and always as a true hero!!

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

February 8, 2007

I knew Mike only for a short time, having been introduced to him by a mutual friend. I remember him as a happy guy who would do anything for a friend. He was a true "Brother" and would help another officer in a second. He enjoyed socializing with other officers and friends. I remember my disbelief at hearing of his death. His passing left his family, his department and the law enforcement community with a deep loss that will be remembered forever. I miss you Mike.

Ptlm. Max Bellard
Heidelberg (PA) Police Dept.

March 16, 2005

A good man and a great role model. We will never forget "Lovey". He is always in our thoughts and prayers and will forever be in our hearts.

FAMILY AT ROCHESTER PD
ROCHESTER PD

February 22, 2004

Mike was a good man with a big heart. We had worked together and ate together many times while on duty. The night that Mike died is the only night that I had my scanner on and havent had it on since. I heard a call come down as officer down in our Township. I could not believe my ears. My first thought was the man that was on duty that night. I called dispatch and they informed me that an officer off duty was shot and did not look good. I was in a daze or horror of it all. You know it could happen to any one of us at any time. When it happens someone you are close to, it is devastating. I wanted to run there to do anything I could help but dispatch said to stay away. I miss Mike very much and he is always in my thoughts and prayers.

FTO Roger W. Szczepura
Dept. of Homeland Security

February 8, 2004

THE POLICEMAN’S LAST ROLE CALL

THE POLICEMAN STOOD AND FACED HIS GOD, WHICH MUST ALWAYS COME TO PASS. HE HOPED HIS SHOES WERE SHINING, JUST AS BRIGHTLY AS HIS BRASS. "STEP FORWARD NOW, POLICEMAN. HOW SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU? HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER CHEEK? TO MY CHURCH HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE?"

THE POLICEMAN SQUARED his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain’t. Because those of us who carry badges can’t always be a Saint. I’ve had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough, and sometimes I’ve been violent because the streets are awfully tough. But I never took a penny that wasn’t mine to keep, though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I’ve wept many unmanly tears. I know I don’t deserve a place among the people here, they never wanted me around except to calm their fear. If you’ve a place for me Lord, it needn’t be so grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don’t, I’ll understand."


There was silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod. As the policeman waited quietly, for the judgment of his God. "Step forward now, policeman, you’ve borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven’s streets, you’ve done your time in hell."

Anonymous