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

August 9, 2007

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Deputy Hunter on the anniversary of his passing.
Heros are never forgotten.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

July 26, 2007

Well Bill,

It's been almost six years since that horrible night in Inskip. I thought that the dreams were over, but today we were discussing ambushes here at SWAT school and all the memories came flooding back. I wish I had been there for you that night. Just know that although I had removed the memory of that night to the back of my mind, you are always in my thoughts. Know that you will never be forgotten. Tell Larry and Randy that they remain in our thoughts as well.

Mickey

M. Huber, Deputy Sheriff (Res.)
Butte County Sheriff's Office

April 25, 2007

Well Bill,

It's been almost six years since that horrible night in Inskip. I thought that the dreams were over, but today we were discussing ambushes here at SWAT school and all the memories came flooding back. I wish I had been there for you that night. Just know that although I had removed the memory of that night to the back of my mind, you are always in my thoughts. Know that you will never be forgotten. Tell Larry and Randy that they remain in our thoughts as well.

Mickey

M. Huber, Deputy Sheriff (Res.)
Butte County Sheriff's Office

April 25, 2007

Though I never knew him, he was part of my Law Enforcement family and I will mourn this deep loss the rest of my life. My heart aches with all the losses we have suffered, and continue to suffer, through the years. God is our only peace through such incidents & our comfort is the reassurance that He will judge the guilty.

Vicki Hare, Telecommunicator
Salisbury NC PD

Vicki Hare, Telecommunicator
Salisbury NC PD

February 27, 2007

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Deputy Sheriff Hunter and to the entire Butte County Sheriff's Dept. Thank you Deputy Hunter for your dedication and ultimate sacrafice to your community and the People of California. Rest In Peace.

Ofc. Eric Chiang
San Francisco Police Department - Bayview District

January 1, 2007

Hello little brother. I just came back here to see you again and reflect on the times we used to have. I felt a familiar brush of the wind on my face out deer hunting the other day and knew that you were with me. Thanks for making that deer stand there and look at me like it did. That first venison dinner is in your honor. Know I miss you terribly, and it seems like just yesterday when you were taken from us. Rest easy though and know that things are good here. My son will see your pictures and know who you are. Your picture hangs next to his crib and you are his gaurdian angel watching over everything he does. Know that we all think of you daily and will never forget the person that you were. We only mourn for the days that should have been. There are still tears a many, but there are also smiles at the memories we have of you. Kick back with Earnhardt and have a cold one for us ok? Miss ya buddy!

Rich Hunter, Brother
Butte County Corr. Officer

September 26, 2006

Bill and I met while completing our Administration of Justice Degree, and then our friendship evolved while serving in the 100th Butte Law Enforcement Academy together. I cherished our break times in the academy, when Bill would sporadically surprise me with a good laugh at a stressful time. We eventually worked for different agencies, but he continued to be supportive when I needed a friend, and continues to give me a spiritual pat on the back when needed.

Bill was the most Christian law enforcement officer that I knew, and served as a role model of how a peace officer should treat the community. For as long as I knew him, he always aspired to be a peace officer. He won a tough battle that saw his physical conditioning soar to an impressive level, and that was because he was determined to accomplish his law enforcement dream. Bill most impressed me in how he lived his life --- with a polite confidence that would inspire him to meet his goals.

Bill, thank you for always being there for me. Thank you for continuing to be an inspiration to me. When I think of the consistency of how you lived your life for Christ, I think of my favorite verse: "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever" --- Hebrews 13:8

Joseph L. Caglia, Jr.

August 6, 2006

7-26-06
Godspeed,Rest in Peace Brother. No you are not be forgotten

Master Deputy
Chesterfield Sheriff’s Office Va.

July 26, 2006

Thank you for your service. You will always be remembered. Rest in peace.

Daughter of an officer

July 26, 2006

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family, friends and all the members of the Butte County Sheriff's Department. We were made safer by his service and we all suffer their tragic loss. The family of Deputy Hunter deserves our appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifice. No greater love has a man than the will to give his life for another. In the days to follow, may you be strengthened by the fact that Deputy Hunter is a man distinguished by exceptional courage and will always be admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. You, your family and your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Thomas Doyle
Cary Police Department, North Carolina

July 6, 2006

Brother Hunter,

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Respectfully,
You’re Brothers in Blue

Untouchables LE Motorcycle Club

December 15, 2005

I'm sure the coward who took you from us all is in a much different place than you. I pray you have a much happier life on God's department than you had here. You are not forgotten.

DE
St. Louis City Police

July 26, 2005

Three years ago today Deputy
William R. Hunter gave his
life in the service of his
country and community. His
tragic and seemingly senseless
loss is a constant reminder of
the violence law enforcement officers
everywhere face each and every day.
All of our shifts today are dedicated
to this hero with the hope that in some small way it will bring peace and comfort to those who knew and loved him and that he will never be forgotten by us.

OMY/WPD/COP
7/26/04

Chief of Police / Olen M. Young
Wauneta PD Nebraska

July 26, 2004

Well Bill, it will be three years tomorrow. I just wanted you to know that I have not forgotten you. I still remember that night like it happened yesterday. But I also remember the day that we met. It was a cold December morning, while you were on FTO. We played football at Oroville H.S. For the entire 3 years that I knew you, you always had that smile on your face. I don't recall seeing you mad, sad or disappointed, only happy. Tell Larry and Randy that I am still thinking of them also.

Reserve Deputy Sheriff M. Huber
Butte County Sheriff's Office

July 25, 2004

Rest easy, brother. You are not forgotten. May God comfort those you left behind and may they know that it is people like you that keep the rest of us committed to the job. A true hero.

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

Brother Bill,

It will be one year this next Friday. We are working to make your's the last. I miss your simple smile. Please ask the Lord to watch over us, and keep us safe.

Detective James Dimmitt
Butte County Sheriff's Office

I am a Correctional LVN working at the Butte County Jail. I work with Deputy Hunter's brother. Deputy Hunter's death, as well as Lt. Estes' death, has touched many of our lives in Butte County. We are proud to say that we had such fine officers in our community. Lt. Estes worked many years for the Dept. and we only had Deputy Hunter for a short time. However, we remember them everyday, just as we remember Deputy Jennings whom we lost not too many years before. There are memorial stones in front of the Dept. entrance. The sheriff's Dept of several counties and many private individuals collected monies to send the families of Lt. Estes and Deputy Hunter to the National Law Enforcement Memorial being held this week in Washington D.C. (May 13, 2002). I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to Deputy Hunter and Lt. Estes for their dedication to serving the people of Butte County.

Darla DuVall, Correctional LVN
CFMG, Butte County Jail

My beautiful son, in all that you do and did, I will always love and adore you and be very proud of you. I know you are in heaven and that because of Christ on the cross, we will be together again, but know this my dear sweet son, that I will always love you with all that I have. You are so missed by us, your family, and your fellow officers, and friends, but never forgotten. You often repeated John 3:16 and I tell others about it in honor of you, and our dear Lord, the promises that we will meet in heaven, keep my heart from breaking, although there is a huge crack in it now. I love you, rest in peace dear son. I will tell your niece, that you love her, she was born now and I know that you knew about her before you went to heaven, she is adorable and will be told about her special Deputy Uncle Bill. I love you...your Mother

Barbara Hunter......Mother
Home

Blessed are the peacemakers,For they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

Anonymous

Im sincerely sorry that one of our own had to leave so soon, but im sure he's working his beat in heaven with a smile on his face. the job we do is not an easy one, and i've been told that it takes someone special to do it. so im sure that god is pleased with Deputy Sheriff Hunter, after all he is special. may god be with his family and friends and know that someday you will be with him again.

patrol officer. kathy burton
lockland police dept

My family prays for the family, friends and co-workers in his law enforcement family. These are happening too often, the loved ones are left behind to pick up the pieces. He is joined in heaven with my husband who was killed in the line of duty on July 10, 2001.

Janice Starnes wife of
Sgt. Daniel R. Starnes
Morgan Co. Sheriff Dept.
Martinsville, IN

janice
none

There are few words I can say at this time to help to ease your pain. I know because I share it with you. Two incredible people whom we loved dearly were taken from us and now we have to find a way to live our lives as they would want us to.

I didn't have the chance to meet Bill personally, but from meeting his wonderful family, and listening to the many stories told about him he sounds like a very special person. I'm sure you've heard some of the stories told about my father as well, and I don't know if this will help you or not, but I know that my dad is walking beside Bill and taking every opportunity there is to make him laugh and smile.

Please let me know if there is anything at all that I can do for you. We share a horrific bond, but regardless it is something that will be with us forever. I will alway have an open door for your family.
Love,
Jennifer

Jennifer Estes

Deputy Hunter, I find myself asking why, why you at such a young age, with a new family to look after? Why when there are so many more years to be filled with memories? When is this going to stop. When we will we stop killing each other? I don't know. I wish I had these answers but I don't. Thank you so very much deputy Hunter. You gave the ultimate sacrifice for all of us. You made this world a little bit safer and I for one am very proud. You did what you were sworn to do and yet, i still i ask why. God bless you and all of your loved ones.

Justin Betts (explorer)
Alameda County Sheriff's Office

All of us within the Chaves County Sheriff's Department wish to express our condolences and deepest sympathy in the death of Deputy William R. Hunter.

Whether it is in the line of duty or from other causes, the death of an officer, friend and loved one is not easy to accept. I hope that knowing that your department and the family of your officer will be remembered in our prayers will be of some comfort in the days to follow.

Sheriff Patrick R. Jennings
Chaves County Sheriff's Department