Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch Sunday, March 12, 1989
Reflections for Sergeant Thomas F. Sewell
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Sgt. Sewell & Family,
On this date the 20 year anniversary of your ultimate sacrifice may you still rest in peace sir and may your family continue to have the strength and courage to continue to move forward in life without you. Although I did not know you and was not a member of the department when you served I feel I still owe you a THANK YOU for you and your family's sacrifice! Rest easy my brother in blue we will continue to keep watch in your absence...
Police Dispatcher Vince Pasquarella
SEPTA Transit Police Department
March 11, 2009
I think of you often, Tommy. Your life was taken far too early and yet I know that from your death great hope remained. Hope for a better safer future...in the memory of your sacrifice.
Lynn Ruppert
Cousin
October 2, 2008
I had the pleasure of working with Tommy; he was a gentleman and a professional.
Deputy Chief David Rahinsky
Franklin Police Department, Franklin, Tn
March 23, 2008
May you always rest in peace and know that you will never be forgotten.
Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
March 12, 2008
YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE
VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
March 12, 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
Thank you for being a hero, if help other police officer learn to take the job good and be a real police officer. Thank You and Rest in Peace.
Off. Abney
Chester-Upland School District PD
July 25, 2007
It is hard to believe it has been that many years since Tight Tommy's death. We had a great time working together as partners in plainclothes. The tours were always enjoyable. Tom was a great guy who was always prepared. Hence known as tight tommy sewell. We also got to know a great deal of people throughout the city and transit system together. He is missed, especially those great sayings.
Off John McCabe
Cheltenham PD
April 6, 2007
Sgt. Sewell, today marks the 18th anniversary of your murder. The passengers and employees of the transit system owe you and your brothers and sisters a huge debt of thanks for the job you do every day. You gave your life on behalf of that system and those people. You are a hero and have not been forgotten.
God Bless and may you continue to Rest in Peace, Brother.
Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.
March 12, 2007
God bless you hero.
January 18, 2007
I remember hearing of this incident from a classmate of mine at the Academy who was a former Transit Officer. I'm sure a day does not go by that your fellow oficers do not think about you and the kind of officer that you were. From a fellow officer just several miles to the South who never had the pleasure of knowing you, thank you for your courage and sacrifice always!
Cpl/1 STeven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
September 18, 2006
I start my training for the Septa Transit Police in May 2006. By reading your reflection, your sacrifice and commitment to the department has given me the courage to pursue this field. You are a prime example of a true hero and I will do my best to serve the citizens in this city as you did. God bless you brother, and your family. May god watch over you as well as them.
Mr. McCray
April 4, 2006
rest easy sgt. we'll carry on the watch.
February 20, 2005
Tommy, it is almost 16 years now since I got the phone call about your death. I can still remember it as if it were today. Your friends that went to the academy with you, stood at roll call with you, enjoyed good times with you and patroled the city streets with you, still feel your loss after all of these years. We carry on your loyalty to duty and will never forget your sacrafice. Rest well our good friend.
Chief John DeMarco
Upper Uwchlan Township Police Department
February 15, 2005
Thank you for your service, Sergeant Sewell. Our police officers are the only protection we have from dangerous criminals who terrorize innocent people, and Sergeant Sewell certainly proved that he was up to the challenge to protect us. He has to be in heaven now after all these years, receiving his reward for serving his fellow man so greatly. Thank you for fighting the good fight!! I sincerely hope his family has been doing well over the years. This nation owes you a debt that it cannot repay, thank you.
Pat
Baltimore County Police Explorer
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