Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY... A DAY LATE. YR IN OUR THOUGHTS EVERYDAY!

LAUREN AND TAYLOR

February 12, 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 26, 2007

Well DP, it's the Christmas season again...I hope your baby girl is doing well. Just wanted to say that I still think of you often (okay, well ALOT) and hope you are livin' it up in Heaven! Keep it tame til I get there! :) Love you!

DFC Angela Crocker
FCSO

December 20, 2007

David,

We've lost another one. I was thinking of you, knowing you'd show him the way home.

You will always be in my heart, you name is always displayed on my desk. Many have asked about you. I tell them about your smile, your loyalty, your laughter. I tell them to always look out for their partner, the way you did. I remind them how fragile life is. It's amazing, you still bring tears to my eyes.

You were my first; and I know that as long as I stay in the business, you won't be my last. You will always be the hardest. I loved you then - for your friendship, your smile, your silliness; and I will always love you.

Help Eric learn the ropes. Help his family heal and forgive his murderer. Give my love to your beautiful wife Paula. I know she still misses you.

William Eric Freeman
EOW December 15, 2007
Huntsville Police Department

Swish
Sister in Blue

December 20, 2007

DAVID :

WE WISH YOU WERE HERE..YR IN OUR THOUGHTS EVERYDAY AND EVERY MOMENT.. JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I HAVE DISCOVERED SOMETHING EXTREMELY EXCELLENT LAST NIGHT. ONCE AGAIN I FEEL YR NOT AS FAR AWAY AS PEOPLE THINK .. I PUT TAY TO BED LAST NIGHT AFTER A VERY LONG DAY WITH COURT AND GOING TO SCHOOL. I WAS SO TIRED BUT I HAD DONE NOTHING BUT BRING OUR BABY TO REPRESENT YOU . SOOOO.. LOOKING AT HER AS SHE SLEPT LAST NIGHT SOMETHING TOLD ME TO LOOK AGAIN AT HER HANDS. SO I PULLED ONE ARM FROM UNDER HER "LIME GREEN "PILLOW.. (YES SHE STILL LOVES THAT COLOR) .. :) SO IM HOLDING HER HAND AND IT FEELS WARM.. AS NORMAL AND THEM ANOTHER THOUGHT SAYS .. IM HERE YOU JUST CAN'T SEE ME BUT IM ALWAYS A TOUCH AWAY .. AND AS I THINK THIS THOUGHT AND LOOK AT HER LITTLE HANDS I SEE ONCE AGAIN THAT THEY ARE YOUR EXACT HANDS . NOT A MIXTURE OF US, BUT YRS EXACTLY . IT MADE ME SAD/HAPPY AT THE SAME TIME. YR GONE BUT I LOOK AND THERE YOU ARE !!!! YOU WILL ALWAYS BE TOUCH AWAY ! WHEN SHE WANTS THAT HUG, SHE CAN'T HAVE FROM YOU, IT WILL BE ANOTHER THING TO LOOK AT HER HANDS FOREVER AND KNOW YR RIGHT THERE !!! NO ONE CAN EVER REPLACE YOU BUT YOU ARE SUCH A DEEP PART OF HER . IM SO SORRY YR NOT HERE. I WISH THINGS WERE SO DIFFERENT. YOU WILL BE GLAD TO KNOW SHE IS STILL ON THE HONOR ROLL AND TALL AND BEAUTIFUL JUST LIKE ALWAYS AND I KNOW YR PROUD OF HER !!

MOM AND DAUGHTER
LAUREN AND TAYLOR

December 6, 2007

Oh Bubba,
I have been thinking of you lately. I wonder how many friends you have made in Heaven:)
I just wanted to say I miss you, I'm looking at your picture right now and all I can do is smile. You were the happiest, sweetest,kindness,person I will ever know.Thank you for that. I look forward to see you again one day.

Love you,
Kimbo

Kim
friend from high school

November 30, 2007

I know you are here with us and you know how ill Dad is stay with us son....We need your loving touch. Tell Mother
how much I miss her. Kisses and Hugs from Mom and Dad. Send
Shelly and Mike,Zack,Maddy and Sammy special Hugs. How we all miss you. I never stop thinking of you and mom.
FOREVER MOM

Linda B. Land
Mother

June 11, 2007

David,
We still miss you soo much and think of you often. We have the sticker in your memory on our car to remind us of the sacrifice that you paid in doing your job.

I still get a tear in my eye when I go into the Kids R Kids and see your picture on Mr. Mark's desk. All of the kids there really love you and your legacy will live on in their memories.

David, we miss your smiling face and we rest in knowing that you are bringing much joy to others up there in heaven with taht great smile! Thank you for always sharing your love with us.

The Funderburgs

Kim, Sarah and Brittany Funderburg
Friend

May 20, 2007

I miss you!

Faith

May 13, 2007

DAVID..DAVID..DAVID..4 LONG YEARS.

HOW WONDERFUL IT WAS TO BE WITH ALL THE PEOPLE WHO REMEMBER YOU, LAUGH ABOUT YR GREAT STORIES!! AND RIDE WITH PRIDE. THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE, BIKES, PARENTS, CHILDREN, MOTHER,FATHERS, YOU NAME IT. FRIENDS FROM A LONG TIME AGO~ MAKING NEW FRIENDS WHO LOOK AT TAYLOR WITH LOVE AND CARE ! SHE'S IS GROWING UP SO MUCH! LOOKS JUST LIKE YOU(ONLY WITH MORE HAIR) HA.HA., ALMOST AS TALL AS ME!!! AND SUCH A YOUNG LADY !! I KNOW YOU LOOK DOWN ON HER EVERYDAY AND WATCH AND PROTECT HER. WE ALL MISS YOU ,BUT NEVER FORGET YOU! WE LAUGHED ABOUT SOME STORIES, CRIED WHEN TAYLOR GOT UP ON THAT STAGE TO SING ALONG WITH CRYSTAL. THAT SONG HAD RYAN AND I BOTH CRYING.. SHE IS SO GROWN , BUT SUCH A CHILD AT TIMES.. SHE DIDN'T CRY THIS YEAR, SHE BROUGHT HER FRIEND WITH HER TO SEE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT LOVE HER DAD. THIS YEAR WAS HUGE!! YOU WOULD BE PROUD. I REMEMBER YOU DOING THESE RIDES, NEVER THINKING WE DO ONE FOR YOU. HOW I WISH YOU WERE HERE. TAYLOR IS DOING GOOD, BUT THERE'S NOTHING LIKE YOUR HUG. WE ALL MISS YOU, LOVE YOU, TALK ABOUT YOU, NOT ALWAYS CRYING... BUT WHEN WE DO..IT'S OKAY.. SHELLY ACTS JUST LIKE YOU SOMETIMES. IT'S SCARY! I WAS LOOKING AT "DOODLE BUG" THE OTHER DAY AND I REALIZED THAT SHE HAS YOUR HANDS AND FEET AND TOES. SHE TAKES A LOT OF PRIDE IN THAT NOW..SHE'S SUCH A MESS. YOU ARE MISSED LOTS!!! BUT TALKED ABOUT MORE THAN YOU KNOW! I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE'S 10 ALREADY! WEARING SHELLY'S SHOES AND ASKING ME FOR MORE MONEY... LOL.. YOU WOULD BE PROUD...I FINALLY BOUGHT HER NIKE'S..WE LAUGHED ABOUT IT IN THE STORE. ""BUT HER FLIP-FLOPS ARE STILL ADIDAS.. WE HAVE MATCHING ONES""..;) SHE SAID..

WHAT I WOULD DO JUST TO TALK TO YOU ONE MORE TIME..I FOUND YR BASEBALL CARD WITH YR OLD CELL # ON IT. I CALLED IT WONDERING WHAT WOULD HAPPEN..

RIP MY FRIEND .. TWMA..

LAUREN LAND SUMMERLIN
MOMMY

April 30, 2007

To all of those who still remember, thank you. Remember David for the person he was and the kind of things he did. Remember the loyalty that he displayed for his family, friends, and job. He is not forgotten.

Trust me...it feels like an eternity. It does not take an anniversary or the sight of a motorcycle to remember. When you are tied to someone by true love only those that have lost in this way can truly know. It is a pain that no one should ever know. Every day is a heartache.

Taylor, you too are not forgotten. It is a shame that my words to you have to be on a website....with that...I wish you a happy 10th birthday on Wednesday. I hope that you are becoming the daughter that your daddy can be proud of. May you get all that you wish for!!!

Paula Land
Wife and Stepmother

March 26, 2007

We are still thinking about you, today and always.

Mary Honiker
friend

March 26, 2007

David,

Today was your memorial service at the accident scene, even today four years later you still have touched our hearts. The turn out was very touching. Even as the memorial service was a touching moment I still couldn't help but smile thinking about your wonderful smile and huge heart. As long as there is at least one deputy at this agency who remembers you your spirit will live forever. You are truly loved and missed by many. When God took you from us he took a piece of each of us who knew you as well.

Cpl. Johnsn
FCSO

March 26, 2007

Rest in Peace Motorman. You are not forgotten.

Motor Officer Danny Johnson
Metro Nashville Police Dept.

March 26, 2007

Rmembering Sergeant Land on his 4th anniversary in Heaven. Thank you for your service. You will always be missed.

March 26, 2007

You were my first thought this morning. I can't believe it has been 4 years. I miss you. Taylor, I love you and am so proud of the little lady you are becoming. And your daddy would be SO proud!

Until I see you again,
Love,
Kelly

Kelly

March 26, 2007

Hi Son,
It has been awhile. Mom and I are getting ready to join your friends at the site of the accident. You will never know how much your are misssed and Loved. I guess you do know because you are watching all of this from above. 4 Years---it seems like both an eternity and a flash of time. Love you son and may God bless us all
Dad

Paul Land
Father

March 26, 2007

Sgt Land,
reading your reflections I can tell that you were and are a much loved and respected man.I can also tell that your wife is a strong and gracious women.May you both be ever blessed by Our Lord and may He shower you and your wife and daughter with His love and comfort.

March 26, 2007

Bubba

Soon it will be 4 years that you were taken from your family and friends. Its still not easy, I think of you everyday and miss ya. love ya

D

Detective
D.M. Carr

March 23, 2007

David,

It's been almost four years since we've been without you. I miss you dearly and think of you every day. We now have four motor officers ... and every time I see one of our bikes all I can see is you riding. I pray for their safety always, as I pray for all of my brothers and sisters in blue, but their's especially. I hope your family is doing well as we come upon this date that none of us will ever forget.

I love you!

DS Angela Crocker
FCSO

March 23, 2007

Thinking of you today - and always.

XOXOXOX

Kelly

March 21, 2007

I still miss you!!!

Faith

February 22, 2007

David, have a wonderful birthday in heaven. I will be thinking of you when I blow out my candles on my birthday cake.

Mary Honiker
Friend

February 9, 2007

David,

Thought of you the other day and wanted to say hi. Another deputy and I were laughing about the ballcap you always wore on duty. I don't see a FCSO ballcap without thinking of our beloved David.

A few months ago I saw Paula, you'd be VERY proud of her. She's doing very well, but misses you dearly. You two were and are true soulmates. I know from as many roses as you gave her, she can't look at a rose without thinking of her beloved David. I know when I see a rose I can't help but think of the love you have for Paula.

Anyway David, have fun in heaven playing golf, making everyone laugh, and looking down at your daughter, wife, and loyal friends.

Paula if you read this I'd like to do lunch soon.

Cpl T.J.
FCSO

January 31, 2007

Merry Christmas in heaven, David and Merry Christmas to your family and friends who still miss you so dearly.

Mary Honiker
Friend

December 27, 2006