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

January 9, 2008

Craig and I went to ILEA together. He kept me laughing every chance he got. He and I played alot of ping pong. He served his country and the public. A true hero. A true warrior. You could not ask for a better friend and Police Officer. He spoke very highly of his family. My life has been better because of my frienship with Craig. There are people in this world that just leave such and impression on you and we may never know why? Craig was just that person.
You are truly missed my friend. Thanks for tough not only my life but countless others as well.

Patrolman 1st Class S. Michael Tate
ACPD/NMPD - Retired

August 20, 2007

Craig

Windi and the boys came over last Saturday for Derby Days. It had been a while since we had seen them. Too long. I was amazed at how much the boys had grown. Austin is as tall as me, and Caleb isn't far behind. I see your relaxed and observing side in Austin and your mischievious, love for life side in Caleb. You must be so proud of the young men they have become. They are doing remarkably well. As for Windi, I can't imagine how she gets through each day. Her strength is unwaivering and her love for you is neverending. It would have been so easy for her hold you in her heart and let your memory fade, but she hasn't. She honors you as a husband, a father and and officer every waking moment of each day. You have an incredible wife and two amazing young men who pay tribute to you every day.

Things will never be the same without you here. So much has changed since you left us; our lives are incomplete.

I miss you Craig.

Jay
Your Brother/Texas Hold 'Em Mentor

Jay
Brother

August 5, 2007

Craig, I think of you so often. I look up and it seems as if you are talking to me sometimes. I miss you. I also am grateful to have had a friend such as yourself. Many, do not know or understand PALS. I do. I am honored. Thank you for being my PAL.

Aaron
Friend

July 14, 2007

When I first moved to this area (Lawrence) that was some 32 years ago. Much has changed over the years. What hasn't though is the courage and honor of the next generation of young officer's who serve proudly with the Lawrence Police. Officer Herbert certaintly maintained that tradition of honor. Your death was prime example of the real need for change in our laws when anyone flees from the police. It is always so sad that an officer so young died in the line of duty. Rest well brother, rest well.

Sgt. Clinton Geer, Sr.
Marion County Constable

March 29, 2007

OFFICER HERBERT, YOU WERE SUCH A YOUNG MAN WITH SO MANY YEARS LEFT TO SERVE. GOD MUST HAVE HAD A PLAN FOR YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR DEDICATION. MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS. THEY ARE ALL IN MY FAMILIES PRAYERS. ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU.

KIMBERLY KIDWELL
DAUGHTER OF FALLEN STANFORD KY OFFICER GARY KIDWELL

March 6, 2007

It has been two years that we lost you.....I still can't believe it. There are so many things I miss...your smile, your laughter but most of all your friendship. I will never forget you!

Love always,

Keri

Keri
Friend

March 6, 2007

May Our Lord wrap His Arms especially tightly around your loved ones today and may you send them a sunbeam straight from heaven to brighten the day for them.G-d Bless.

March 6, 2007

I remember seeing your picture here a couple of years
ago, but I never left a reflection. It is very disturbing to
see young officers die leaving a young family behind to
deal with the loss.
As I come to this site I recognize many of the names who have left messages. I want to add my name now
to let you know that we haven't forgotten you and that time has not diminished your sacrifice. God bless your
families still mourning your absence and may the good
Lord heal their broken hearts.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

March 6, 2007

Although it has been 2 years since your EOW, you are not forgotten. God bless you Brother Herbert and our brother and sisters of the Lawrence PD

Scott Sparks, Patrolman
Chesterfield County Police Dept., VA

March 6, 2007

Ok here I go. Craig in a couple of days you will be gone for two years. I reflect back on the night of crash and remember like it was yesterday how you stood in the gym at LC and was talking about the politics in police work, and how you wished we could just be cops and leave the politics to the politicians. Brother those words mean so much I wish there was away to make it true. I wish there was something I could say or do to make things change back to that night. Craig I hope you know we all miss you. Have a cold one for me.
Fraternally,
Tom A.

Tom A.
Brother in Arms

March 3, 2007

It's been almost 2 years now, and not a day goes by that I don't think of you. It seems like it just happened, and sometimes I still don't believe it. It's like I'm still waiting for you to come back in dispatch and have pizza with us like we did often. I miss your jokes, and the way we would mess with each other on the radio. You made it it alot of fun in here, and it's never been the same without you. I hope your in a better place and one day I'll see you again. I feel lost sometimes because I looked up to you like the older brother I never had. It's hard to see Windi and the boys, knowing that no matter how hard it is for me, I can't even begin to imagine how much they miss you. I love you brother, and you will forever be missed. Til we meet again.....

Ron B.

February 21, 2007

Although I never knew you on earth, I feel that I know you in my heart. I call you "uncle Craig" just from the conversations with Adam. Today Adam and I went down to Lawrence and applied for LPD. We visited your headstone. As I have known other officers that have passed in the field, I haven't known so much inspiration. My thoughts and prayers are with yoru family. And as I have done for a few years now, I will keep Adam safe as my brother in arms. I will always have his back. Thanks for your service Uncle Craig.

Brent Doctor
Friend of your nephew Adam

February 3, 2007

You are a hell of a cop. I enjoyed working late nights with you. Thanks for bringing me your thumbprinter on 56th St. You're welcome for the arrest of the felon behind the bigscreen TV! Hehehehe. You never needed arrest numbers to be a great cop. You taught me a lot! Sorry I missed your final ride as I was on vacation and did not hear until I returned. I will see you again....You are missed by all and you still live in our hearts!

E. Gundle
LPD

December 23, 2006

It's almost been two years, still at times seems so unreal. I've sat down many of times and wanted to write but I couldn't. The boys there doing ok, we all have our good and bad days. You would be proud of how they've grown. Each one of them have your characteristics and faces you would make. Bub has the quiet side of you and bubby has the aunry side of you, cracks me up.
As for myself I never imagined this is how I would tell you whats going on. I want to say THANK YOU for your love,understanding,my bullhead at times ha ha! The 12 years we shared as husband and wife and when we first met sophomores in high school. Through out our lives together. I couldn't have asked for better husband. A Great DAD! and all around great man period. For you will always be the love of my life and I will always miss you. So Thankyou for the memories, for the talks we shared about everything,and above all YOU will forever be in my heart!
and The most precious gift of all our boys! We Love and Miss You Windi & Boys
P.S. We will always remember the last christmas we spent together. You taking the boys for a ride on the quad in the snow and pulling the sled behind it. They got such a kick out of that! The snowman and the snowball fights and Thank GOD I stayed in to get pictures. So they will allways have the memories. I will try to do the quad as Christmas comes up but knowing me the boys would probably go flying off if there snow that is. I can see you laughing or getting that grin. I will never forget!

GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND BE WITH YOU THROUGH THE HOLLIDAYS!

Windi
Wife of Craig

December 20, 2006

Just to let the family know I am thinking of them.

Until we meet again--
Miss Mary

Mary VanHaute

August 6, 2006

I miss our meetings in the morning hours as I am starting duty and you are getting off duty we would meet somewhere in Fortville and exchange information or just talk about what we we going to do on our days off, or when I was headed to work I would see you and you would flash your lights at me. I remember when you first joined the Fortville Police department as a Reserve Officer and would ride with me and how excited you were when you were hired as a Full time Officer. You are a very good friend and I know that I will be seeing you again.

Officer Gary Garner
Fortville Police Department

June 26, 2006

Dennis Sloan, 16, pleaded guilty in a deal approved by prosecutors and the family of officer Craig Herbert, who was 35 when he was killed in March 2005.
Sloan's case was waived from juvenile to adult court after a judge ruled the crime was "so heinous in nature" he had no choice but to regard Sloan as an adult. The judge also noted Sloan's prior juvenile convictions ranging from auto theft to criminal mischief.
Sloan had faced up to 20 years in prison if convicted on charges that included reckless homicide, resisting law enforcement and auto theft.

Deputy Bennett
Henry County Sheriff's Dept. (Indiana)

June 2, 2006

Dear Officer Herbert,

May 15th is National Peace Officer's Memorial Day and I have just returned to work from my journey to Washington DC for the Memorial services there. I rode my bicycle there from New Jersey with almost 400 other officers in the Police Unity Tour to raise money and awareness for the National Peace Officers Memorial. Together, we raised one million dollars which we donated upon our arrival at the Memorial on Friday, May 12th. As part of the tour, we each take a bracelet which has an officer who made the ultimate sacrifice and who is going to be dedicated to the wall at the Memorial. I was given the honor of being able to wear a bracelet with your name on it as I traveled on my 300 mile journey. I researched the ODMP website and was saddened to hear of your sacrifice and emotions that your loved ones are going through. I thought of you and your family as I rode and was strengthened by the thought that my small sacrifice will contribute to never letting your sacrifice be forgotten. I'm mailing the bracelet to your agency so that it may be forwarded to your family. God bless you and your family. May he make them strong and hold them in his hand forever.

Sgt Thomas Schmieder
Chester Township PD, NJ
Police Unity Tour

Sgt. Thomas Schmieder
Chester Township Police NJ - also Police Unity Tour

May 16, 2006

We will be in Washington with honor and respect to hear your name read.

Linda Rittenhouse, Matt's Mom
Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/04

Linda Rittenhouse

May 2, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with your family on this first anniversary. Anniversaries are so very hard. I am very sorry they must walk this painful journey. Rest in peace, Officer Herbert. You are a hero who will never be forgotten.

Mary Kay Balchunas
Mother of Jay Balchunas, EOW 11/5/04

March 6, 2006

To the family and friends of Officer Craig Herbert, and most especially to Craig himself:

On this the first anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered. Rest in Peace, Officer Herbert.

May his loved ones continue to be comforted and supported by your law enforcement family, and by other police survivors who share this painful journey with you.

In reading the reflections about Craig, it it obvious that he was well-respected and cared for by many people.
His valor and dedication will never be forgotten, and his memory will be forever revered.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD eow 4/24/05

March 6, 2006

I know that you have been watching over us from up there and keeping us safe.
Rest in Peace Brother!

Dep. Bennett SR#134
Henry Co. Sheriff's Dept. (Indiana)

March 6, 2006

Your dedication and sacrifice are remembered and honored on this one year anniversary of your arrival in Heaven.
Heroes live forever...

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

March 6, 2006

Lord, today is a very hard day for the family and department members of Officer Herbert.I pray that Offc.Herbert is resting safe in Your care and ask that You wraps Your Arms tightly around those who love and miss him and especially need Your Love and Comfort today.

March 6, 2006