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

December 11, 2007

Son,
Thomas fell during the last game of the classics tournament in Havre. He broke his thumb and index finger. He is going to have surgery in the morning. Ijust back from the clinic with him. He seems so grown up but beneath it all he's the little boy you left. Please hold your baby's hand and keep him safe.

I miss you more today than yesterday.
Love, Mom

December 10, 2007

Jody I am sorry for the lose of your brother.

Anna Rutherford-Barningham

November 28, 2007

Son,

Thomas and I went out to the field where you spent the last minutes of your life. We took out a blanket and covered your site. It breaks my heart that you were alone at the end.

I get to see Thomas or talk to him on a regular basis. It was well worth the wait. He just smiles at me when I call him Josh. He is so much like you.

He is doing well at school and his basketball season starts on the first in Havre.

Marc has been calling and its been nice to talk to him. Nothing with him ever seems to change. He is the eternal optomist.

My son, I miss you more today than yesterday. I spent Thanksgiving with Jill. Now I just have to make it through Christmas.

Mom

November 25, 2007

Well the Holidays are right around the corner. I can not believe how fast the Year went by, it seems like it just began. You are still missed dearly everyday of every year.
DC

November 9, 2007

Son,

Thomas needs your prayers as he has been put in a very difficult situation. Please keep your eye on him and not let him be harmed.

Love, Mom

September 10, 2007

Thank you for the blessing you brought to the door

August 23, 2007

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
LITTLE BROTHER
JODY

August 17, 2007

HAPPY B-DAY JOSH

August 17, 2007

Hey Joshman
Was just thinking about you on your birthday and wish you were here to tell you.
DC

August 16, 2007

Happy Birthday, miss you more every day.

Love Mom

August 16, 2007

:: Hey my name is Jaime Riddle and I currently received an award in honor of Officer Rutherford at the Police Academy this summer. I want to pursue a future in Criminal Justice and follow the sense of pride accomplishment and greatness I have heard about Josh. I was honored to recieve the award and to hear Lt. Tim Coleman tell the story of him and how rewarding he was to the community. I know it is still to this day not easy for Coleman and many others who had the privelidge to partner with Josh to rethink such sorrow and I just wanted to tell the family that my thoughts and prayers go out to you.

Jaime Riddle
student

July 31, 2007

Son,

It's getting closer to your birthday and I am so thankful for the twenty eight years that you graced our lives. I know that you are happy with all your grandparents, aunt and uncles there by your side. The days are getting harder again being so close to your birthday.

You know that I was able to speak with Thomas and Teague. I took Teague's glasses off and looked into his face. He looks exactly like you at the age of 11. I can't believe how tall Thomas is. Please watch of your boys as they get older.

Your sister Tammy is so strong and somedays she has to pull me along. You know about my health issues. Keep an eye on Jody. I worry about her so much.

Joshua you are so missed and loved by all those you left behind. You know the first question I am going to ask? What the hell were you thinking running around in that field without proper gear. Why did you not take the extra minutes to put your vest. LJ will have to live the rest of days knowing what he has done.

I will end this with I am one day closer to you.
Love Mom

July 25, 2007

Just thinking of you

July 13, 2007

Hi Josh, You dont know me however your mom always wanted me to meet you. I am sorry I never got the chance to. I have been thinking alot about your mom and I am hoping she is doing ok. You both are in my thoughts and prayers

TAMMY CORDOVA
FRIEND OF MAXINE

June 22, 2007

To this day I still remember that night when are naboor the firefighter on that night telling me and my dad that two officers had been shot and my dad asked who they were and he said that Deputy Rutherford and Deputy Junis and my dad asked how they were doing and he said Deputy Junis had gotin shot in the arm and he was at Fort Belenap hospitol waiting for the mercyflite to be flone to Billings and my dad asked how Josh was doing and he said that he was dead
the guy had gotin Josh's gun and shot Josh and killed him

Jessica M

June 15, 2007

The night you were killed was a hurific night I still rember it like it was just yesterday that I saw you on a call going like the wind to get there no mater if it was a car acttadent,shoting,violens you were there to help the people get through it and stop it

Jessica M

June 13, 2007

I was sitting by your mother one day while we was in between classes. She was on your refelctions page. She misses you everyday. I know you give her strength to make it thru everyday. She's such a wonderful caring lady. I know that's where you got your caring nature. I remember the time when my eldest daughter was mercy flown to Great Falls and it really helped with you being there with me and my family at that hard time. I'll never forget that, and I wanted you to know how appreciative I was that you was there with us. I never got that chance to tell you that in person. I see your son Thomas from time to time. He looks like you. He's friends with my sister. Anyways, I just wanted to leave something for you on here. I know you're always there with your mother. I check up on her all the time. She is such an awesome lady, and I have to utmost respect and admiration for her. She's so strong. You are a true hero Josh!

June 7, 2007

thought of you today and wanted you to know it. even though i'm sure you already do.

May 31, 2007

Hey Joshman..I can not believe it has been four years. As this time comes there is still alot of tears, laughs and memories. Spoke w/ your mom and she is still holding in there but you can hear her pain of loosing you. You will always be greatly missed and forever in our hearts

DC

May 31, 2007

It is hard to believe that 4 years has gone by since you departed. I think of you often and miss you a lot. It gives me a sense of peace knowing that you are in a better place.....no more suffering or hurt. Watch over all of us and keep us safe my friend. Love you always!

Jackie

May 30, 2007

Josh it was 4 years ago tonight when I got the call that you had been shot and killed. I still find it hard to believe that it is true. What you and Loren went through that night will continue to haunt all of us that loved and respected you. But knowing you I feel that you would want all of us in L.E. to learn from what had happened. That even if you do everything right you can still pay the ultimate price. I approach each call now even 4 years later with the caution, training and experience that you and others had instructed me at the academy and through out my career. Your mother, sons and loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers this night and always. Your friend Alan.

Deputy Alan Guderjahn
Phillips County Sheriff's Office

May 30, 2007

Son,

Well today is here and you have been gone for four years. I miss you more every day. We to Pony Hill yesterday and decorated graves. I hope you met your grandmother wnen she got there. I am so lost these days.

Just wanted to tell you that I love you.

Mom

May 29, 2007

4 yrs. ago today and never to be forgotten! God Bless the Rutherford family, friends & Blaine Co. Sheriff's Office.

Ret. PO
City of Miami PD Fla.

May 29, 2007

Deputy Rutherford,

On this the anniversary of your leaving us in the physical sence, we pay tribute to your spirit. Tonight the Evening Watch of the Henry County Georgia Police Department will hit the street in your honor. Please watch over us as we continue your fine work.

For the entire shift,
Sergenat V.T. Rosen

Sergenat V.T. Rosen
Henry County Police Department

May 29, 2007