Columbia Police Department, South Carolina
End of Watch Monday, July 1, 1957
Reflections for Policeman Cecil Williamson Watford
Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
July 1, 2020
Gone to soon. I think of you often.
Glenda Watford Ireland
Daughter
June 13, 2019
Policeman Watford, rest in peace.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
May 11, 2019
"When a good man is hurt, all who would be called good must suffer with him.”
Euripides
Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service
November 8, 2015
Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless
Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas
July 4, 2015
To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 55th anniversary year of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer. He was also your brother in green so I bid you semper fi and thank you for your service in the Corps.
Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace
Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05
December 20, 2012
I know you are resting in peace Devil Dog. You were a warrior. Semper Fi.
AZ Narc and retired Marine
February 24, 2011
“Marines”
You can have your Army Kakiis,
And your Navy Blues,
But here’s a different fighting man,
I’ll introduce to you.
His uniform is unlike,
Any you’ve ever seen,
The Germans called him “Devil Dog”,
His title is “Marine”.
He was trained in Parris Island,
The place that God forgot,
The sand was fourteen inches deep,
The sun was blazing hot.
He awakened up one morning,
In front of his rack he’ll stand,
And in through the doorway walked,
A giant of a man.
He turned and faced this young Marine,
With eyes as cold as steel,
He said, “I am your DI,
And this is for real.
I’ll make your life as miserable,
As miserable as I can,
And when you finally leave this place,
You’ll be a fighting man.
You’ll be a rifle expert,
You’ll know your weapon well,
And when you encounter the Viet Cong,
You’ll send their souls to Hell.
Now gather around you young Marines,
And lend me all your ears,
And I’ll tell you of a few things,
We’ve conquered through the years,
We fought at Iwo Jima,
The land of fire and Hell,
We killed all those Japanese,
And took their land as well.
Now you can tell your ladies,
And this my Lad is true,
To get herself a young “Marine”,
There is nothing he can’t do.
He’s peeled a million onions,
And twice as many spuds,
Then you’ll find him in the slopchutes,
A soaking up the suds.
And when he gets to Heaven,
St.Peter he will tell,
Another “Marine” reporting Sir.
I’ve served my time in Hell.
Written and copyright by: David Lee Bell (USMC 1968-1971)
1968
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1968 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without
permission
Thank you for your service in the Marine Corps-Semper Fi Brother!
Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
January 24, 2011
In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!
"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 whose 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
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 (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
January 24, 2011
Devil Dawg:
Thank You for having served the Carolina Community.
Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD
July 1, 2008
Officer Watford,
On today, the 49th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your community, but for our Country as well when you served in the USMC.
Semper Fi Devil Dog!
A fellow LEO;former Marine
Anonymous
Anonymous
July 1, 2006
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, I guess I ain't because those of us who carry a badge can't always be a Saint."
I've had to work most Sundays
and at times my talk is 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 got to steep.
And I never passed a cry for help
though at times I shook with fear,
and sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept 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 here, Lord, it needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much, but if you don't...I'll understand"
There was a 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 you burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets.
You've done your time in Hell"
G. Houston
South Carolina
September 19, 2003
MAY GOD BLESS. GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER.
CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RETIRED
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.
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