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

November 14, 2007

I haven't come on here in a while. I owe you a few "thanks" for everything you still do for me. Thank you for staying with me even though we're no longer together. Thank you for understanding, but moreso helping me understand. I'm reminded daily of the million things you taught me. (most of it was unintentional...but still, thanks) I miss you and love you always.

Amy

November 12, 2007

Hi Sweetheart

Just wanted to let you know that I love you and miss you. Thanks for listening to me when I need your ear. It helps a lot.

Your spirit is always with us. Please keep watching over us all.

Love you,
Mom

Mom

November 11, 2007

Hey O-
Your tremendous spirit continues in all of us. Miss you.
Geo Hamo

November 4, 2007

Owen,
I met someone who knew you. It was during National Night Out in August and she spoke very highly of you. I don't recall her name but she had mentioned that she was a retired Flint-area teacher. When I responded by telling her that I was from Flint, we eventually got to talking about you.
I remember when your accident happened. We wore mourning bands around our badges. Although I never knew you personally, every police officer mourns the passing of one of our own. In your death, I am made to remember that the word "routine" doesn't exist in our job.
Rest in peace and may God bless you and your family.

Officer John Free

Officer John Free
Meridian Township Police Department

October 24, 2007

Just had dinner with mom and dad tonight--wish you were there. It's still strange to not have you around--something I definitely don't want to get used to. I have a long drive tomorrow for work, so I'll talk to you about it then. Love and miss you.

Katie

October 22, 2007

Brother Owen-
Hey remember that litte war that the terrorist started on 9-11 and how much it upset all of us? I know we seem to forget the tears as time goes on, well the Army took me away for a year. Story for you. Had a kid break his ankle in ground fighting saturday and It was like in a blink I saw you on the mat rolling around on your back holding your knee...(your cried too, I'll never tell...) and DS Bianco yelled at you "You just gonna lie there!" yes...you over-reacted. Well, this kid saturday didn't say a peep and his damn bone was broken... I think you must have slipped into his body just to give me pay back for yelling....Anyways....thought that was a bit sneaky of you to follow me to Ft. Benning. Thankyou!

Army Strong!
DS TC

DS Todd Christensen
US ARMY/ Kalamazoo PD

October 9, 2007

Hey O--
Just thinking of you. Missing you. Loving you.
Kate

Katie

September 30, 2007

Hi O,
Still thinking of you and missing your wealth of spirit.
Love,
Dad

David Fisher
Father

September 26, 2007

My father, Arthur LaVigne, and my brother, Gary LaVigne both retired from Flint P.D. May God bless you for your faithful service and sacrifice. Rest in Peace.

Former Res. Deputy Alan LaVigne
Vigo County, IN

September 25, 2007

Its starting to smell like fall. I don't think anything in the world could remind me of you more than that. There's just something about the chill in the air and the smell of outside that makes me feel your presence a little more strongly than usual. I miss you so much.

Loving you always,

Amy

Amy

September 16, 2007

hey O,

i have been thinking about you alot lately and i dont know why. its not a bad thing its actually calming to think about you, cuz i know i have someone watching down on me and protecting, i know we all miss you so much and its hard to do the things we did without you or uncle rays (grandpa)'s presence but you are still with us all, you show in all of us in little way. I am visiting my boyfriend in college at akron and we were walking around and he told me one of the buildings names, Owen, everytime i here your name i get this silencing feeling over my body and i cant explain it, i hope that when i get some time off for work i can come see you and the family in flint. it will be nice and hard at the same time. the other day was grandpas anniversary and a few days before i had gone alone after work, while walking in a butterfly flew past me and i looked around and i saw a couple more. it made me think of you it was nice. i felt like it was you and grandpa showing us your still here but in different ways. well i guess they are done playing video games and im done crying, for now... i hope your doing well up there with gramps, keep a look out for us.... i love you owen fisher. :)



xoxoxo mary your little cousin

mary
little cousin

September 8, 2007

Heading off to my Siblings retreat later today. It's comforting to talk about you so openly at the lodge without that feeling of making others uncomfortable. I'll be thinking about you much this weekend--watch over me, please (especially the flight!). Love you.

Kate

September 7, 2007

Hey O--
Thinking about you often,
especially on my long drives.
Just wanted you to know
you're in my thoughts, always.
Love,
Kate

Kate

August 29, 2007

Hey Owen,

I was just talking about you today to some friends. They heard your name but had never met you. I filled in some spaces for them. One of my friends asked that we not talk about you because it was depressing. I thought so to at first and realized that I enjoy talking about you. You were so great to me and I was able to tell them stories about you that I would never repeat on here. :-) I miss you but I know that you are still here with us all. I proudly wear my "Heroes Live Forever" bracelet every day. I can't look at it without reminding me of you. I miss you so much and I enjoy telling people about how great you are.

Lauren Golembiewski
Friend

August 28, 2007

Hey O-
Thinking of you today.
Sure wish you were around.
George Hamo, Flint

August 14, 2007

Hi O,
Your sister is filled with excitement and joy about her new job, but like all of us it wouldn't hurt to have you look after her. Guard her kindly.
Still missing you,
Dad

David fisher
Father

August 11, 2007

I've wondered the last week-and-a-half about how to mention to you the happiest wake-up I ever had. While we were at Notre Dame, I was filled with the memory of that morning at 5:00 when I woke up to "Daddy, a carnidal, a carnidal!" It was just a reminder of the sweetness that is you. As usual, your mum and I wept and laughed as we remembered you at Notre Dame that magical summer.
We're missing your magic.
Love,
Dad

David Fisher
Father

August 6, 2007

Hey--I've been thinking about you often. It's the clear summer days when I look into the clouds that flood my mind with thoughts of you. Whenever I see a cluster of clouds with a little slice of blue, I always imaging you looking after us through that open space. Anyways, I love you and miss you and love you and miss you.

Katie Fisher MacDonald

August 4, 2007

Hi Sweetheart

This last month has been a flood of memories, great stories and kind words. You have certainly not been forgotten. The stories will keep you from getting too big a head - a good thing. The days surrounding the 16th are days that have their sad moments and some very big laughs. I know you are watching and listening to all of us. The fun part is you have no chance for rebuttal!

We've had plenty of opportunities to see your old friends and families. We feel lucky to still be a part of their lives as they were so important to you. We also enjoyed the guys including us in remembering you. You are certainly not forgotten! It was a way for us to appreciate what you were doing and what they continue to do.

All things family have also been on our minds. We are thankful we were able to do so many things together. We were in Chicago and remembered your sister's birthday and visiting the Field Museum and you both climbing into the giant chairs of the "how children see the world" exhibit. We stopped at Notre Dame and thought of you kids with "Miss Hannigan" and the dead animal tours. That was a very special summer. What struck me is the things we enjoyed doing together are the things that we all continue to do.

Just wanted to let you know I miss you and love you.

Love,

Mom

Mom
mother

July 31, 2007

Hey Owen, I never knew this was here until I googled your name, this is a wonderful thing to have. We miss you so much and I love all the memories I have of you, keep watch over my hubby when he is out on the streets, I know how you cops stick together!Love you and miss you. Tera

Tera
Friend

July 18, 2007

Hey Owen...I've always read these, but never posted anything. Just spent the past couple days with your parents, Katie, and Amy. I always leave those types of meeting wishing I had known you better. But other times it's pretty entertaining and I feel like I did know you very well. I think you especially would've liked our discussion on wedding cake last night.

I'm looking out for your sister, even though it never feels like I can do enough. But she's such a strong person that sometimes she doesn't let on that she misses you as much as she does. I'll keep trying. I find myself wishing you were around when I get stuck in a make-up conversation or something about shoes w/Amy and Katie. The 'how about that Tiger game' just doesn't seem to fly! The picture that's been painted for me of you is an outstanding one for sure. Keep watching out for everyone...

Jeremy MacDonald
Brother-in-law

July 17, 2007

2 YEARS TODAY OFFICER FISHER. WE REMEMBER AND PRAY FOR YOUR LOVED ONES. CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER THEM, AS WELL AS OUR POLICE OFFICERS ON THE JOB.

OFFICER FISHER, NEVER FORGOTTEN.

JIM SWEENEY CIVILIAN NEW JERSEY
A FRIEND TO ALL PEACE OFFICERS

July 16, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this 2nd anniversary of you being called away from duty. I know the daily struggle your parents face and how they miss the sound of your voice and that special laugh and the warmness of your touch. All any of us can do is take one day at a time as our lives have been changed forever. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and let them feel your presence so they know you are close. You are a true hero and heroes never die. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

July 16, 2007

Thinking of you today and missing you like always. I've got your picture on my dashboard as I've been driving across country the past couple days. Thank you for watching over us. Miss you and love you.

Little Amanders

July 16, 2007