Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The policeman stood and faced 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 a badge
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 time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept 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 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 a 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 born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

July 28, 2004

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).
Unfortunately, I had to add the name of another friend. Deputy Jeffrey Hewitt, Buncombe County (NC) Sheriff’s Department, E.O.W. April 4, 2004.

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti Ingle (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood County EMS (NC)

July 28, 2004

Tal, thanks for your many many years of service. You are thought of and will be missed a lot. To the Groover Family, I am so very sorry for your loss, but he's in a better place and will be looking down protecting you all every minute of every day.

P.O. II Taylor Schmitz
Metro Nashville Police Dept.

July 28, 2004

Rest in peace, your work here is done. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family friends and fellow officers tonight.

Sgt. Al Whitney
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Yuma, AZ

July 28, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of XXProbation Officer Eugene T. (Tal) Groover and the Georgia Department of Corrections...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Tal... rest in peace as you continue your watch from the heavens......your memory will never be forgotten...

God Bless....Be Safe..... and wear your vests...

Vin, Pook and all of us at beyond-the-blue

Vinman and Pooky -Site Owners
beyond-the-blue

July 27, 2004

On behalf of the men and women who serve and work for the Georgia Perimeter College Police, our thoughts and prayers are with Probation Officer Eugene Groover's family, friends, and co-workers with the Georgia Department of Corrections.

Rest in peace our Georgia brother in blue. The watch is now ours.

Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

July 27, 2004

MAY GOD BLESS THOSE WHO LOVE AND WILL MISS P/O GROOVER DURING THESE TRYING TIMES IN THIER LIVES. MAY GOD BLESS P/O GROOVER AND MAY HE REST IN PEACE. A HERO FOR SURE. YOU SERVED WELL MY BROTHER.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

July 27, 2004

Thank you for those 22 years of dedicated service. You are in a better place now. May you rest in peace sir.

Captain Robert W. Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.

July 27, 2004

Rest in peace Officer Groover. You will never be forgotten.

Ashley Drury
Clare, Michigan

July 27, 2004