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

December 20, 2007

I have often seen your picture and plaque in the hall way of P.S. 316 in Brooklyn while attending as a child but I never could understand the senselessness of your very premature death. I often heard some of my teachers who knew of you and I was curious who you where. God bless your soul and your family...May you rest in peace.

Thank you...

November 1, 2007

I was a rookie in the 80 Pct. when I first Eli. I remember him playing Santa Claus during the holidays handing out gifts at the Pct. to the less fortunate children of the neighborhood.
I really shook me up upon finding out of his murder, the City & world lost great person that day.. RIP Eli

Ret. Sgt. Rich Schemmer
NYPD

June 18, 2005

Officer Stroud,
On today, the 33rd anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of New York City. What really steams me is how any jury of judge would overturn the convictions of the scumbags that murdered you. When I read things like that, it really makes me question our legal system.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

March 18, 2005

~~~~~The Broken Chain~~~~~

We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name.~~In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same.~~It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you, the day God called you home.~~You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide; and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side.~~Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same; but as God calls us one by one, the Chain will link again.

March 11, 2005

Dear Patrolman Stroud,

It is with great respect and sadness that we write this to express our condolences to the NYCPD and to you and your fine family. God gives us great peace in allowing us memories of good times. Dwell on these good memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you for your love and care of your fellow man. Please watch over us from above and pray for us. We love you dear one.

Grandma & Grandpa Hinkle
Parents of a Deputy Sheriff

October 14, 2004

Elijah worked in the 80Pct, I worked the 79Pct. Our paths crossed many times. We were friends. On that faithful day Elijah was assinated by a crew of BLA sympathizers who knew and expected that he would be at that location. GOD REST HIS SOUL !

Police Officer Al Yevoli
N.Y.C.P.D.