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

January 15, 2008

I met Colleen when she first came to the MCDC in 1982. She was the first criminalist sent to take over the job of printing i booking. I remember when I first saw her with her dark page-boy I though she's much too subdued to ever make it here. She surprised us all how she could in her quiet ways do her job amongst the chaos and was soon excepted as one of us. The next many years her face and quiet manner became a familiar part of the envirement. She never ruffled or lost her temper no matter what happened. I went on to work in other areas and would see her occasionally having small chats when she had some time or I did. Everyone I worked with spoke very highly of her.

When she was killed the man who had assaulted came to the jail. I could not bear to even look at him although at times I had to. To be perfectly honest I was glad when he died but on the other hand I wanted the death penalty for him so he could suffer for at least ten years before he died.

I was traumatized and working graveyard. I could not go or get time off to see the memorial service. I have never paid my respects to her gravesite because I do not know where she is buried. I keep in my heart all the memories and years I spent time with this beatiful person and miss her still.

I am sure there are many who miss her like me. Today I found the web site and want to pay her tribute as the unforgettable "human being" she was and is never forgotten.

Verena Gilbert-Retired Mult. Co. Deputy
friend

September 3, 2007

Thank you Ofc. Waibel for your years of service, dedication, and ultimate sacrifice to the State of Oregon and the people of Portland.

Ofc. Eric Chiang
San Francisco Police Department

March 7, 2007

You have not been forgotten and are a true hero. Keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol. Thank you for your dedicated service to law enforcment.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

October 24, 2006

God Speed, Sister.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

October 4, 2006

Rest in peace BLUE ANGEL. You will never be forgotten.

Police Officer

September 27, 2006

God bless Officer Colleen Ann Waibel, her family & friends, and the Portland Police Bureau

Corporal P.R. OLIVER
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

July 7, 2006

May God Grant Officer Waibel's Family, Fellow Officers, and Friends, the Serenity to accept the things they cannot Change, the Courage to change th4 things they can, and the Wisdom to know the difference...We will not forget your sacrifice Blue Angel..

Officer Debra McFall Ross
EAst Buffalo Twp Police Dept, Lewisburg, Pa.

January 27, 2006

God Bless Officer Waibel. Thank you for your dedicated service. You will not be forgotten.

Officer R. M.
Capitol Police

January 27, 2006

Our thoughts and prayers go out to This Officer, as well as the Family, Friends, Department and Community.

This is a loss that will never be forgotten. Hours will turn into days, days turn into weeks, weeks into months and months into years but, the difference that these officers have made will last forever.

We lost Our Deputy Morris Taylor on September 14, 2002. When he joined the other Angels in Blue.

God Bless Our Law Enforcement Officers and Those Who Love Them.

Jack & Tracy Van Dolah
Former LEO/U.S.M.C. & Wife in Sutherlin, Oregon

May 22, 2005

I just read about Officer Colleen Waibel, on ODMP. I wish to express our sympathy, and let you know how sorry we are that her family lost a loved one and dedicated Officer. She will always be remembered.

Sincerely,
Lyndell & Elizabeth Taylor
Parents of
Deputy Sheriff
Morris Lyn Taylor
Douglas County, Oregon
EOW 9-14-02

March 14, 2005

Rest easy Blue Angel

Andy

November 15, 2003

I never met officer Waibel because I'm one of the newbies that just recently joined the Bureau. But I do know that she was loved and cared for, and that she returned the favor. I am greatly grieved that I never had the chance to talk with her. From what I've heard, we would have gotten along very well. I see the empty place she used to occupy as I walk through the building. I see her picture, flag, and badge mounted on the walls. I just pray that God is watching over her family, as I know she still is.

Anonymous

The Policewoman's Judgement Day

The Policewoman stood and faced her God,

Which must always come to pass.

She hoped her shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as her brass.

"Step forward now, policewoman,

How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek?

To My church have you been true?"

The policewoman 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 tough.

But I never took a penny,

That wasn't mine to keep...

Though I worked a lot of overtime,

When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear.

And sometimes, God forgive me,

I wept uncontrollable 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 silence around the trone

Where the saints had often trod.

As the policewoman waited quietly

For the judgement of her God

"Step forward now, policewoman,

You've borne your burdens well.

Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,

You've done your time in hell".

~author unknown~

changed to feminine form

Colleen...we miss you!!!!

Submitted Anonymously

Anonymous

Both officers worked for east precinct, both untimely deaths, both officers very missed. Some think that there deaths don't effect dispatch. I mean afterall, we are only the voice on the air sending them on calls and keeping track of stops and doing checks. Although, this might be more true of years ago before MDT's. It didn't stop any of us dispatchers from caring and considering them family like anyone up at the communications center. We do care. You hurt we hurt. You get hurt on our air time, we send the calvary and hope and pray to hear that code 4!!!!!!

Both Colleen Waibel and Thomas Jefferies were very good officers. They both cared deeply about the public and their jobs. They did it to the best of their abilities and they did it beyond what bureau G.O. required.

They are both dearly missed and will be missed. From Tom's most common response to a call "Oakley dokely" to Colleen's "Copy that on my way, from 102/Sandy area" when the call was light years away. And you could tell w/total sincerity that it didn't matter that it was long ways off to go.

May they both rest in peace and be the eternal light that helps us all keep going at our jobs.

Dispatcher Kathy Vanecko
Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications

I did not know Officer Colleen Waibel when I attended her funeral, but when I left I felt a deep understanding of what a wonderful person she was. She had qualities that all of us would look for in a friend. We are unfortunate to have lost one who has touched so many lives.

Officer Waibel - thank you for your dedicated service and may you soar freely with the angels.

Anonymous

On the day of Officer Waibel's memorial service, I worked in a building very close to the church the service was held in. My office window happend to overlook the freeway off-ramp exit and street leading to the church.
The line of cars heading to the church stretched for miles and miles, hours before the service began. The freeway, off-ramp and surrounding streets were grid-locked. My co-workers and I sat in awe for hours, watching and noting police cars from every possible district, city and county in Oregon and Washington. There were even cars from other states, such as Idaho and California.

I will never, ever forget how I felt that day... completely overwhelmed with saddeness over the tragic death of this long-time officer, and deeply humbled to know I was witnessing something profound. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Colleen Waibel's loved ones and co-workers, as they said good-bye, were fellow officers that didn't know her personally. Fellow officers that came to honor her and pay their respects simply because she did what they did for a living. Because she was one of them. Because only they know and understand what it takes to serve and protect. Because only they could know what Officer Waibel faced that day, all in the line of duty.

What a profound and humbling statement of humanity, compassion and loyalty. If only society could embrace this level of commitment, pride and respect for each other, the world would be a better place.

Stand proud by God's side, Officer Waibel. Thank you for all you did for the city of Portland. You will always be remembered and missed.

Anonymous

Colleen was a friend to everyone who knew her. She still is. We
miss her terribly. She will never be forgotten.

Officer Michael Weinstein
Portland Police Bureau