Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

You were the "Fallen Hero" when I checked the web site today.
33 Years, not forgotten.

Ofc. Michael Bruce #398
Columbus Div. of Police

August 23, 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

December 31, 2007

The 32nd anniversary of your brutal murder is rapidly approaching. I just say your story on Court TV's "Psychic Detectives" and am so glad your peretrators were caught and convicted. For your family and friends, please know that Gary will FOREVER be a hero and NEVER be forgotten!

DET SGT, Retired
AR

August 14, 2007

Gary, I honor you. Your murder is being featured on a "Court TV" investigative program at this moment. The whole country will know of this tragedy and you will never be forgotton. You are a warrior my brother. With utmost respect and brotherly love, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer.)

Jim Crotty, Special Agent (Ret.)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms

August 9, 2007

God Bless you and thank you for your service. I had the pleasure of working for your son Mark, who is now a Corporal at the Tampa Police Department. I also know your other son Gary who is a Master Patrol Officer. Both of them are top notch jam up Cops that I am sure make you proud. Every Tampa Cop that has worked with them would follow them to hell and back. Just thought you would like to know.

Police Officer
Tampa Police Department

November 21, 2006

Thank you for your service ... Your not forgotten and should be very proud of your daughter who has followed in your footsteps as a Columbus Police Officer...
Keep us safe from above!!

PO Jim Gilbert
Columbus PD

May 31, 2006

As an Ohio native, I mourn officer Yost since his death 30 years ago and I didn't even know the man. God Bless his family!

Master Police Officer P.F. Day
Virginia Beach, Va Police Dept

December 30, 2005

Officer Yost you are not forgotten.
You are being featured on Nancy Grace as I am typing this.

December 30, 2005

TO THE FAMILY OF OFFICER YOST:
MAY YOUR FIND SOME COMFORT IN KNOWING THAT YOU REMAIN IN SO MANY PEOPLE'S HEARTS AND PRAYERS. WE'LL NEVER FORGET WHAT YOUR LOVED ONE GAVE TO PROTECT THE STREETS OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

OHIO
pray for our troops
overseas, and those who keep our
streets safe here. God Bless

August 2, 2005

To the Yost children your dad was widely respected and well liked. I never once heard anyone say a bad word about your dad, he was just a GOOD cop and a good guy.

My condolences

Captain, Ret.
Akron P.D.

December 24, 2004

May we never forget Officer Yost's sacrifice....on this anniversary date and always....God Bless His Family, Fellow Officers, and Friends, and May they have found Peace in their Hearts. Please watch over your children who wear the badge in their Fathers Honor...

Officer Debra McFall Ross
East Buffalo Twp P.D.Lewisburg, Pa.

August 23, 2004

A I enter the station every day to start my tour of duty, I see your Father's name on our Memorial. I think of what it must have been like to grow up with out a Dad. I can only imagine what it was like. I think that it could have been myself in your shoes, as our fathers' worked side by side. I respect your father for the sacrafice he made, and your family for having the strength to carry on after such a great loss.

Patrolman Michael Williams
Akron Police Department

March 10, 2004

Never forget the honor of our profession brothers and sisters. With honor 3 of this fallen brothers 4 children have followed in his footsteps, Mark A. Yost, Tampa PD; Autumn M. Yost, Columbus PD; Gary A. Yost, Jr, Tampa PD. The oldest daughter, Lisa D. Guilmette, carries on the honor by being the best mother a mother can be. NEVER FORGET.

Ofc. Gary A Yost Jr
Tampa PD

September 20, 2003

Sleep easy, brother. You did not die in vain as we will continue the fight.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)