Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Missing you at Christmas, Hank. You were a good friend.
Sincerely,
Leanne

Leanne Heggen Eckstein
Friend

December 24, 2008

Another year has passed and you are missed.
Sincerely, Leanne Heggen Eckstein

Leanne Heggen Eckstein
Friend

July 23, 2008

Agent Tibbs,
On today, the 35th anniversary of your death, I would just like to say thank you to you and your partner for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

July 23, 2008

Thinking of you, Hank, and missing you.
Leanne Heggen Eckstein

Leanne Heggen Eckstein
friend

May 11, 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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

March 12, 2008

Merry Christmas, Hank!
Leanne and family

Leanne Heggen Eckstein
friend

December 24, 2007

Merry Christmas, Hank. We miss you.
Leanne, Debbie, and Mike

leanne heggen-eckstein
friend

December 25, 2006

We never knew you but Leanne and children are always in our hearts and minds. You were really a special person that your family will forever be proud to have had as a husband and father.

Dependent wife Mary Gervais
friend of family

August 19, 2006

I miss you, Hank.
Leanne and Family

leanne heggen-eckstein
friend

July 23, 2006

To our friend Hank--you will always have a special place in our hearts.
Leanne, Debbie, and Mike Heggen

leanne heggen-eckstein

July 29, 2005

MAY GOD BLESS YOU. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. A HERO FOR CERTAIN. YOU SERVED WELL MY BROTHER.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

July 23, 2004