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 judgment 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

December 21, 2004

Rest in peace Agent Debates, Thank you for your service. To the family, look unto the lord for comfort. Blessed be the peace keepers.

Cpl. Kevin Clendenen
Blount County Sheriff's Office

December 21, 2004

WHAT IS A COP?

Cops are human ( believe it or not) just like the rest of us. They come in both sexes but mostly male. They also come in various sizes. This sometimes depends on whether you are looking for one or trying to hide something. However, they are mostly big.

Cops are found everywhere-on land, on the sea, in the air, on horses, in cars, sometimes in your hair. In spite of the fact that " you can't find one when you want one", they are usually there when it counts most. The best way to get one is to pick up the phone.

Cops deliver lectures, babies, and bad news. They are required to have the wisdom of Solomon, the disposition of a lamb and muscles of steel and are often accused of having a heart to match. He's the one who rings the door-bell, swallows hard and announces the passing of a loved one; then spends the rest of the day wondering why he ever took such a "crummy" job.

On TV, a cop is an oaf who couldn't find a bull fiddle in a telephone booth. In real life he's expected to find a little blond boy " about so high" in a crowd of a half million people. In fiction, he gets help from private eyes, reporters, and who-dun-it fans." In real life, mostly all he gets from the public is " I didn't see nuttin'."

When he serves a summons, he's a monster. If he lets you go, he's a doll. To little kids, he's either a friend or a bogeyman, depending on how the parents feel about it. He works " around the clock", split shifts, Sundays and holidays, and it always kills him when a joker says. " Hey tomorrow is Election Day, I'm off, let's go fishing" ( that's the day he works 20 hours).

A cop is like the little girl, who, when she was good, was very, very good, but, when she was bad, was horrid. When a cop is good, " he's getting paid for it." When he makes a mistake, " he's a grafter, and that goes for the rest of them too." When he shoots a stick-up man he's a hero, except when the stick-up man is " only a kid, anybody coulda seen that."

Lots of them have homes, some of them covered with ivy, but most of them covered with mortgages. If he drives a big car, he's a chiseler; a little car, "who's he kidding?" His credit is good; this is very helpful, because his salary isn't. Cops raise lots of kids; most of them belong to other people.

A cop sees more misery, bloodshed, trouble, and sunrises than the average person. Like the postman, cops must also be out in all kinds of weather. His uniform changes with the climate, but his outlook on life remains about the same: mostly a blank, but hoping for a better world.

Cops like days off, vacations, and coffee. They don't like auto horns, family fights, and anonymous letter writers. They have unions, but they can't strike. They must be impartial, courteous, and always remember the slogan " At your service." This is sometimes hard, especially when a character reminds him, " I'm a taxpayer, I pay your salary."

Cops get medals for saving lives, stopping runaway horses, and shooting it out with the bandits ( once in a while his widow gets the medal). But sometimes, the most rewarding moment comes when, after some small kindness to an older person, he feels the warm hand clasp, looks into grateful eyes and hears, " Thank you and God bless you, son."

Officer David Carroll
Choctaw Oklahoma

December 21, 2004

Rest Easy Brother George, the Watch is Ours Now and Yours was with Honor. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with your Family, Friends and Co-Workers.

APD #128
Altoona Police Dept. Altoona, Pa

December 21, 2004

Rest In Peace Brother.

Cpl. D. Johansen
Federal Reserve System Police Services.

December 21, 2004

On behalf of the members of the Sutherlin Police Department, I send to you, our heartfelt condolences and prayers in your time of sadness. May your fallen officer’s legacy live on in the memories of his friends and family. Rest now brother, after a job well done. We’ll take it from here.

Cpl. Justin Marquis
Sutherlin Police Department, Sutherlin, Oregon

December 21, 2004

Your work here is done. Good job my brother.... we have watch on the Borders now. Rest in Peace.

Broward County, Florida multi-Agency Police Honor Guard

December 21, 2004

The thoughts and prayers of the men and women of the Onondaga County Deputy Sheriffs' Police Association are with the family, friends and co-workers of Agent George Debates.

Detective
Onondaga County (NY) Sheriff's Office

December 21, 2004

MAY GOD BLESS ALL WHO MOURN THE LOSS OF AGENT DEBATES. OUR CONDOLENCES TO THE GRIEVING MOTHER DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON. MY BROTHER, THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE TO YOUR COUNTRY. A HERO FOR SURE. YOU SERVED WELL, NOW REST IN PEACE. MAY GOD BLESS.

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

December 21, 2004

May God bless agent Debates and his family. Rest in peace brother.

Texas Peace Officer
University of Houston Downtown Law Enforcement Academy Class 89

December 21, 2004

Rest in peace Brother George, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten for your service and courage.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham
Sand Springs Okla Police Department

December 21, 2004

May God rest your soul and thank you for your service to this great country.

Grand Rapids Police Department

December 21, 2004

Rest in peace, brother.

Officer K.A. Lokey
Norfolk Police Department, Virginia

December 21, 2004

Rest in Peace brother

Agent
Border patrol

December 21, 2004

Rest in Peace Agent Debates, your services to our borders will never be forgotten.

Philip Salamone EMT
Kutztown Ambulance, Kutztown PA

December 21, 2004

This gentlemen was a friend of one of my family members and I share in their sorrow and offer my condolences. Being part of a law enforcement family who has been a part of almost losing someone, I can empathize with your feelings, however. having never lost anyone, I can never pretend to understand your loss. God Bless him and your family....

Officer
Prescott Valley

December 21, 2004