California Highway Patrol, California
End of Watch Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Reflections for Officer Shannon Lee Distel
"Final Inspection"
The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"
The policeman 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 awfully 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've wept unmanly tear,
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 all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."
Rest in Peace, God bless you and may he watch over your family.
Ofcr Redican
L.A.P.D. 77th Street Div Patrol
August 28, 2003
8/28/03: What a shame! Drivers should pay more attention to their driving and not be so distracted by other things. My thoughts, prayers & condolences goes out to Officer Distel, his family and the California Highway Patrol. Rest in Peace, Motorman!
Immigration Officer
Department of Homeland Security
August 28, 2003
I want to extend my deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Shannon Distel. I pray that you will feel God's comforting arms around you during this terrible time. My children lost their father in the line-of-duty on July 9, 2003, so I understand the pain and shock that you are feeling right now. Always be proud of Officer Distel and the work that he did. It takes a special person to be a law enforcement officer! May God bless you all!
Debbie Mundy
Survivor of Sgt. Jerry Mundy, EOW 7-9-03
August 28, 2003
Rest in peace...
THE POLICEMAN'S LAST ROLL CALL ...
THE POLICEMAN STOOD AND FACED HIS GOD, WHICH MUST ALWAYS COME TO PASS. HE
HOPED HIS SHOES WERE SHINING, JUST AS BRIGHTLY AS HIS BRASS. "STEP FORWARD
NOW, POLICEMAN. HOW SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU? HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER
CHEEK? TO MY CHURCH HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE?"
THE POLICEMAN 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 awfully tough. But I never took a penny that
wasn't mine to keep, though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just
got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with
fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept many unmanly 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 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 all around the throne where the Saints had often trod. As
the policeman waited quietly, for the judgement of his God. "Step forward
now, policeman, you've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's
streets, you've done your time in hell."
Author Unknown
Deputy
Dane County Sheriff's Office, WI
August 28, 2003
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