Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Idaho
End of Watch Monday, January 5, 1981
Reflections for Game Warden William Harlan Pogue
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YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR LONG AND DEDICATED SERVICE
VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
December 31, 2007
"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
October 15, 2007
Idaho needs to totally redo, it's judicial system. The man who killed these two fine officers, was released for good behavior, despite having escaped from prison once. Also it sickens me when I read about the injustice done in the case of Trooper Linda Huff, who was coldbloodly murdered in 1998, but the judge did not issue a death sentence, may God have mercy on those evil peoples souls, along with the liberals who set them free.
August 4, 2006
Bill, Yours and Conleys tragedy and memory looms large over our family, even 25 years later. I am grateful to know your family and hope that they realize what a hero you are. We will continue to keep the thin blue line down here for you. Rest in peace.
SO 3 Kip Wills
Boise Police
June 10, 2006
Rest in peace brother.
Patrolman
January 7, 2006
Rest in peace. Thank you for your service.
January 5, 2006
How sad it is that this murderous coward was released. However, the family can take comfort in the fact that God's vengeance is greater than man's. May God bless the family of this hero and his heroic partner.
R. Dean Pesnell,
Officer/Chaplain, Birmingham Police Dept.
R. Dean Pesnell
Birmingham, AL Police Dept.
July 20, 2005
I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to the family, coworkers, and friends of Warden Pogue. Many of our brothers and sisters are gone, but none are ever forgotten. May you rest in peace. Then I heaard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send? and Who will go for us? And I said "Here I am. Send Me!" ISAIH 6:8
Mike G.
Federal Law enforcement Agency
May 20, 2005
"If there is a future for wild things, then it is the burden of those who have reached farther than me, to save them for the rest of us. It will be done by those whose convictions were forged in campfires."
I just saw the quote above credited to you. I thought I would put it here for everyone else to see.
It sickens me to think your killer is a free man. Sadly it also sickens me to think that at one time, when I was very young, I thought your killer was a modern day mountain man and a legend.
I saw the error of my ways Mr. Pouge. When your killer came up for parole I handed out flyers all over NC and TN encouraging police officers and the public to write the board. I hope in some small way it helped.
Your killer will pay his debt on judgement day.
February 19, 2005
I just read today, February 7, 2005, in the boston Globe that your killer was released yesterday. It says, "He just wants to go live his life." Unreal, this guys kills two officers (execution style) and he's free. Nice system you have Idaho!
patrol
February 7, 2005
GW Pogue,
There aren't words to thank you enough for your service and sacrifice.
To your family and friends,
I read news today that William's murderer was paroled - for good behavior, of all things. I am so sorry. Life can be so unfair. I am praying that you can be at peace in the face of such tragedy.
Former LEO Wife
Central Ohio
February 6, 2005
I just watched the A&E story about your death. It is a shame that you had to die like you did, but I have comfort knowing that you were doing what you loved.
Thank you for watching over us!
Officer Adams
BPD
What a wonderful man you were. We miss you terribly. I know you watch over Game Wardens everywhere.
Jodi Turner
daughter
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