Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Days are not any better like I've been told they would be. I'm holding onto you because I just can't let you go. I LOVE YOU!!!!

December 31, 2007

"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

December 26, 2007

Dear Brian,

Merry Christmas. I know that you are celebrating Christmas with Jesus in Heaven, and what a celebration it must be to behold. Please forgive me for being selfish in wanting you to be here with us so that we could enjoy the Christmas season. I realize that God needed you, but I wish with all my heart that He had not needed you so soon. We miss you and love you! I will admit that this has been a most difficult day. Please look down upon us from above. Until next time.

Mrs. M.

December 25, 2007

Dear Brian,

I lit a candle this evening in remembrance of you so that your light may always shine. We will cherish your memory forever because your sweet spirit will always be with us. We love and miss you so very much!

Mrs. M.

December 9, 2007

Hello Brian,

Today is Thanksgiving Day, an empty holiday because you are not with us. I know that today is especially difficult for your mom and dad. They miss you so much! The bond between a parent and a child is one of the strongest and most special connections that God has given to mankind. Yes, today is a sad day, but we can be thankful for the time you were with us and that you touched our lives in such a profound way. Please know that you are always in our thoughts and on our hearts. We love you. God bless you.

Mrs. M.

November 22, 2007

Dear Brian,

One of my former co-workers (retired), Nathan, went to be with you this morning. He has been so kind and compassionate to Jennifer and to me as we have struggled through the days and months without you. Please find him and return the favor by helping him to adjust to his new home. I know that I can depend on you. Brian, we miss you so much, and we will forever cherish your memory.

Mrs. M.

November 21, 2007

I miss you, I miss your smile, And even though its different now ur still here somehow, my heart wont let you go but i need you to know I miss you, I MISS YOU!

Bobbie Anne McDaniel
Cousin

November 13, 2007

"Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy." (Author Unknown)

Dear Sweet Brian,

We love and miss you so much! I know with all my heart that you are in Heaven and that we have the assurance of being with you there. I, also, know that you are looking down on us. Thank you, and please continue to do so. Until next time.

Mrs. M.

November 11, 2007

Days and nights have passed. A part of me is forever gone. I feel if I keep holding on to you real tight I won't have to let you go. Remember our secret code. Well, I just squeezed your hand three times. I'm waiting on your reply.

October 30, 2007

I just wanted you guys to know that I'm thinking of you.

Shelly Hardin
Wife of Sgt. James Heath Hardin EOW 01-11-07

October 2, 2007

My thoughts are with all of your loved ones on this 2nd anniversary of your EOW. I know and understand their pain, especially that of your parents for there is no greater loss than to lose a child, no matter how old that child may be. Life can go on for others but a parents loss is forever, but we go on. Keep Brian's memory alive by talking about him to others or asking others to tell you stories about him that you may not have heard before. Write those memories down on these reflection pages so others can read them for as long as this place exists. I ask that he continues to watch over all of you and protect you. I end with the following excerpt from a song composed by a bereaved father in memory of his 18 year old daughter,

"A greater love comes from your deepest pain and there is power in that love to help you rise again," by Alan Pedersen.

Brian is a true hero and will never be forgotten.

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

September 30, 2007

Today is not a good one for so many. We all miss you so much and think about you every day. To see your mom breaks my heart for as a mother I can not even imagine the pain that she must feel. I want you to know that your "little man" loves her very much. He loves to go to their house and see them. He really likes to play with Morgan. I know that God and his angels are rejoicing every day for having you by their side but I still pray for comfort and peace to those of us who spend many hours of our days missing you so much. We love you with all our hearts.

Gina

Regina
friend

September 30, 2007

I pray that you watch over him and keep him safe because I know you are always with him.

Mandi

September 30, 2007

Dear Brian,

Walt Whitman said, "When I give, I give myself." That statement describes you perfectly. You gave of yourself completely and unselfishly to your parents, your brother, your best girl, your fellow officers, and the citizens of your county.

This very day makes two years since God called you to your heavenly home. I am certain that you are being a loyal and devoted angel, as that is your very nature. These two years have been most difficult, and I do not foresee the difficulty being any less when it has been twenty-two years. Webster does not have enough words to describe how much we miss you. We will love you and will cherish your memory forever.

There is so much that I want to say, but I can't seem to pull it together today. I assume it is because of what day it is. I will close with the following writing:

If Tears Could Build A Stairway

If tears could build a stairway
And memories were a lane
We would walk right up to heaven
And bring you back again.

No farewell words were spoken
No time to say goodbye
You were gone before we knew it
And only God knows why.

Our hearts still ache in sadness
And secret tears still flow
What it meant to lose you
No one can ever know.

Since you'll never be forgotten
We pledge to you today
A hallowed place within our hearts
Is where you'll always stay.
(Author Unknown)

Please look down upon us from above and remember how much we love you!

Mrs. M.

September 29, 2007

Dear Brian,

Last week and this week have been awful and painful beyond words. We miss you so much!!!

Mrs. M.

September 25, 2007

Why must I grieve silently when I feel my heart is loudly screaming??

September 18, 2007

Hey, Thelma, Ronnie and Jarrod,

Just wanted to let you know, another day with all of you in my thoughts. Not one that will make things all right.
If my feelings could do the job, then you would be just fine.
Wishing, hoping and praying for all of you to somehow have
some sort of peace.
Must be possible.
Love,
Chris

A cousin-in -law

September 16, 2007

I talked to your dad today about the upcoming golf tourney. It's hard. Here we are approaching two years... I love your parents and think the world of them but it is so hard for me to see them and talk to them. They mean the world to me and I would do anything for them but I have such a hard time. Words are not sufficient.

I know that the Lord has his plans for each of us and that His plan for you was not something that we could have foreseen. Knowing this doesn't make it easier. I know that I am hiding my pain and my sorrow. I go through months with no thoughts of that day only to step back and start the healing all over again. It isn't all consuming nor is it something I express outwardly, but it's there. It never goes away, it's just harder on some days then others.

On the day you passed away I cried for the first time since childhood. I wept like a baby. While the tears don't flow as easily anymore there is a large part of me that hurts so badly when I see others that share my pain. I want to reach out to them but I don't know how. I've spent years helping people and I'm at a loss to help those who mean so much to me.

I think your parents know that I hurt and I pray that they understand how hard it is for me. I don't want to cry anymore and I want the world to be as it was exactly two years ago. While it can't be, oh how I wish were.

My friend, the time has changed all of us. For the good and the bad. My wife, son and I had dinner with your FTO and his wife tonight. We shared a lot of good laughs about the job and the people in it. I wish you could have been there tonight. Earlier today I interviewed people who wanted to come into my unit. I wish you could have been there as well. You'd have done a great job.

I don't know what else to say and I guess I am really just rambling on about whatever. I guess I'll hang it up for now, it's late and I'm getting yelled at for not coming to bed.

My little guy is getting so big and I ask that you help watch over him and keep him safe. See ya.

September 7, 2007

I Love You, I miss you!!!!!!!!!!!!

September 7, 2007

Dear Brian,

When I went to the grocery store this afternoon, I saw a large display of deer corn for sale. I immediately thought of your love and respect of the great outdoors. In your heavenly home, I wish for you fields to hunt, open spaces to roam, trails to ride, rivers to fish, oceans to travel, and sandy beaches upon which to walk with a gentle breeze upon your face. May you feel the love of those of us who have been left here to cherish your sweet memory. We love and miss you so much! God bless you.

Mrs. M.

August 18, 2007

I've learned.....that no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Love You, you are always with me.

August 8, 2007

"Wherever a beautiful soul has been,
there is a trail of beautiful memories."

We miss you and love you with all our hearts!!
I know you are looking down from heaven on the
"little man".

Regina

Regina Wheeler

July 14, 2007

Dear Brian,

Happy Birthday. Your Jennifer and I went to visit today, and she spent a great deal of time talking with you. I wish with all my heart that things were different and that the two of you were spending your lives together. You brought so much joy to so many people. We all love and miss you so much! God bless you. I'll write again soon.

Mrs. M.

July 1, 2007

Dear Brian,

The memory of the righteous will be a blessing. Proverbs 10:7 (New International Version)

I read that verse this morning and immediately thought about you. Please know how very much we cherish your memory. We love you, we miss you, and we feel such an emptiness in our lives. We miss your sweet and gentle spirit more than I can begin to tell you.

Until next time.

Mrs. M.

June 24, 2007

Brian,
We didn't know each other, but I wrote a message on here long ago, about how you had been in my office the morning you left this world behind.

I had the privilege of singing in the state Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony. We had to wear all black, and pearl necklaces. The only thing on my shirt that wasn't black was a small CCSO tie tack with a blue and black band across it, and your call sign, A-14, in white letters on the ribbon. Your mother gave it to me many months ago, and I still wear it on occasion. I was proud to wear it, to honor one of our own who died doing something he loved.

Thanks to you and all those who went before you, and followed behind you. You are truly blessed for choosing to pick a profession that asks so much, and rarely gives back as much.

God bless you for the life you gave, and your family and loved ones for the sacrifices they too have made.

Christian P.
CCSO

May 15, 2007