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

September 27, 2007

Trooper Carey and Trooper Yarrington, tomorrow, May 2nd is Police Memorial Day here in Delaware and police from throughout the state will gather in Dover to pay our respects to all of our fallen comrades. When your funeral processions passed my school in 1972, our classes were dismissed so that we could watch with respect. Although only ten years old at the time, the impression left by two men who gave their lives to protect the freedom and safety of others has been lifelong. Reinforced every year when both your names are read aloud, I serve in Law Enforcement today, because of the lives you led and the sacrifice you made.

L T
NCCPD

May 1, 2007

I worked the evening of the tally Ho motel robbery. My partner Everett Chapman and I responded to the Concord Hotel. I think of you and say a prayer often. The passage of time has changed many things since that night, but one thing has remained constant your kind mannerisms, behavior and extreme sacrifice remains vivid in my mind. God bless you. Hope to see you again some day. You were a good father, husband and excellent Delaware State Trooper. Rest in peace friend.

Wayne P Meding
Former Delaware State Trooper

January 7, 2007

35 YEARS, BUT YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN, THANK YOU AND ALL THE DSP TROOPERS FOR YOUR SERVICE.

CPL. GLENN MOONEY
BRANDYWINE REGIONAL POLICE - PA

January 7, 2007

To all my shift partners from Pennyhill, Troop #1, we were first on the scene at the Concord Motel that night 35 years ago. Lee Smutz & myself, Wayne Meding & Everett Chapman, & Ed Brown & Rick Vanbrunt. May God bless Dave & Ron forever they will always remain in our prayers. jtf

Retired Sgt. Joseph T. Flinn
DSP/My Classmate 5/1/69

January 7, 2007

Trooper Yarrington, 35 years ago today you left us as a true hero and not a day goes by that you are not remembered and honored as such. May you always rest in peace and watch over your law enforcement brethren from above, and know that you will never, ever be forgotten. TFFT!!

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

January 6, 2007

May Our Lord Bless you and your loved ones.

January 6, 2007

Rest in peace brother..

Cpl Surowiec
Delaware State Police

January 5, 2007

Trooper Yarrington, I can still remember you stopping by the house when I was a kid you were always squared away in uniform. I also remember the day my father got the call from the barracks telling him what had happened and to report to duty. The look of shock and anger on his face is something I will never forget. On my shift early this morning I crossed the state line and paused in my patrol car near the area where you and Trooper Carey were slain. Know that the honorable and brave are never forgotten by those who carry on the torch. Rest in peace

S/Cpl. Albert J. Wysock #2257
New Castle County Delaware Police

January 5, 2007

Trooper Yarrington, I did not know you but I think of you and Trooper Carey often. I am an 8 year veteran of the Delaware State Police and could not be more proud of my profession. It is brave men such as you and Trooper Carey that lead me to such a noble profession, and know that you will always be remembered by your brother and sister Trooper's here in Delaware! I salute you sir!!

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

August 5, 2006

Although it's been over 30 years I'll never forget the day
I heard the news on my car radio. You were a great guy in
high school, one of the nice boys, and you did you uniform
proud. I will never forget you. I think of your wife, Janice and your son and hope they have done well. Walk with
God.

C.Matthews
friend

May 19, 2006

I thank you for your service and salute you for your sacrifice ... I would like to learn more about this incident ... if anyone has information please e-mail me:

Constable

February 1, 2005

David was a great role model to all, especially to the commuinty at large. I think of him and Trp. Ron Carey often with great admiration. DSP is a full service State Police, so these troopers were often involved with community policing and fighting crime in Delaware communities. The last time I saw Troopers Yarrington and Carey was at troop 1, on Thanksgiving weekend 1971.
They were good troopers and great Christians.

Ofc. Glenn E. Kresge, 1064
U.S. Dept. of Defense Police

January 27, 2005

Dave,
You were my neighbor, friend, and once my partner. I responded with my K-9 to the petrolieum tank farm, where your killers were hiding. Supervisors would not let me enter until daybreak even though my dog had a strong scent. Unfortunately they escaped to Maryland where One of them was killed by MSP. I would have liked to have found them first.

Cpl. S. H. Smyk
Delaware State Police (Ret.)

October 7, 2004

I thank you for your service and salute you for your sacrifice.

A grateful citizen.

September 23, 2004

In the true definition of a hero, you did your job with your life on the line. Your brothers and sisters respect you, and honor you, until we meet again.

Sgt. Bill Richardson
Anchorage, Alaska PD

September 8, 2004

Rest in peace... You are not forgotten...

THE POLICEMAN'S LAST ROLL CALL ...

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, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a Saint. I've had to
work most Sundays, and at times my talk was 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 just
got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with
fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept many 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 Lord, it needn't be so
grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don't, I'll understand."



There was silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod. As
the policeman waited quietly, for the judgement of his God. "Step forward
now, policeman, you've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's
streets, you've done your time in hell."

Author Unknown

Deputy
Dane County Sheriff's Office, Wi

November 26, 2003