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 2, 2008

On this 2nd Anniversary of your EOW, we are thinking of your family, friends and co-workers as they go through these rough holidays without you. Please watch over everyone...

Craig Figgins
Brother - SGT Dan Figgins St Charles, IL EOW 4/9/05

December 16, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you for your service and 24 years of dedication.

vandenberghe
mancahester, nh

December 7, 2007

Vivian,

For the 6 years I was in NYPD School Safety Division I have grown to know you well by working along side of you where you have taught me how to handle myself in many siutations. I will never forget you. May you rest in peace.

Timothy Johnson
Evidence & Property Control Specialist
Office of Chief Medical Examiner-NYC

A/DI Timothy Johnson (former SSA II)
NYPD Auxiliary

April 7, 2007

May you rest in peace

Sgt S Hughes
Elberton PD, GA

March 31, 2007

Fallen but NEVER forgotten.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEOs

December 16, 2006

Officer Benjamin was someone whom I knew personally by way of meeting her son in college in Raleigh, NC about 13 years ago. I will miss her but she will be remembered for being such a wonderful mother and a great citizens.

Curtis Dixon
A Friend

November 13, 2006

You have not been forgotten and are a true hero. I only wish you could have enjoyed retirement after such a long and dedicated career in law enforcement. Keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol.

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

October 22, 2006

Altough I left the department in 1990 I will always have a spot in my heart for all my former fellow officers. With all my respect,my sincere condolences to Agent Samuels-Benjamin family. She was there for the children of New York City for 25 years. And gave her life for them. God Bless and rest your soul.
Ralph Robles

R. Robles
Former Central Mobil Task Force GL

June 17, 2006

My dearest cousin you will be miss something terrible by your family especially your Sis Aunt Rose Lawson.
Luv Lynn and Your Family

Darlene (Lynn) Lawson
Cousin

June 2, 2006

My thoughts go out to the family of Agent Samuels-Benjamin. The school safety agents have been an inspiration to me as I visit the schools of NYC.

Barry Jay - NYC DOE

May 15, 2006

i love ms samuels like she was my family member me and her use to laugh and play but i really liked her thats why i will always remeber her. REST IN PEACE

ashley wallace
close friend from the school ms 390

May 5, 2006

My deepest sympathies to the family, friends and co-workers of SSA Samuels-Benjamin. As I prepare to embark on the Police Unity Tour ride next month I was reviewing the circumstances that took this dedicated public servant from us. She held the highest trust and guarded our greatest treasures, our children. It is in honor of her service and sacrifice that I will be riding in her name. I hope to meet her family and friends to express my sympathies in person. God bless.

Corporal David C. Baker
Norfolk P.D. Norfolk, Va.

April 3, 2006

To School Safety Agent Vivian A. Samuels, her loved ones and her fellow officers with the New York City Police Department:

I was so saddened to learn of the death of another dedicated officer in the line of duty. On behalf of our entire family, I wish to extend our sincerest condolences for the grievous loss you suffered when Vivian tragically died.

Vivian, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart goes out to your family. You’re in our thoughts and our prayers.

Vivian, you safeguarded our students and teachers for twenty four years. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Vivian.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the many years of distinquished service Vivian gave to her community and the citizens of New York, and for the supreme sacrifice she and her family made on December 16,2005.

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

March 8, 2006

To Vivian's family friends and coworkers of the NYPD .As an expression of deepest sympathy Officer Vivian A.Samuels-Benjamin will be remembered in a mass at the National Shrine of our Lady of Snows.Also , A votive candle will be lit at the shrine in remembrance.May you be comforted by your faith.Sincerely ,A.P.O. Sullivan #12911 @ 105 Pct.

aux/police officer william sullivan
nypd 105pct.

February 10, 2006

Rest in peace. you are the mother of school safety

Explorer
N.Y.P.D

February 6, 2006

My heart is still broken. I miss you dearly. Vivian I will always remember the scent of your perfume that filled the halls and everyone knew you were there somewhere. "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall obtain mercy."

SSA1 Tabitha Price
NYPD/SSD BS

January 26, 2006

REST IN PEACE.

SSA
PMMS

January 23, 2006

REST IN PEACE.

SSA
PMMS

January 23, 2006

God be with your family and department during this time. RIP Officer Samuels-Benjamin

Sr Disp B J Kendrick
Chesapeake Police Department VA

January 14, 2006

My condolences to the family, friends, and coworkers of Agent Samuels-Benjamin. God Bless.

Lt. Robert Davis
NYC Hospital Police

January 9, 2006

Words will never be able to truly express my appreciation for you Officer Samuels-Benjamin. My heart and best wishes go out to your family. Thank you for working to make the schools safe for the children. You will not be forgotten.

January 8, 2006

MY DEAREST VIVIAN IT WAS A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH YOU AS WELL AS IT WAS TO KNOW YOU... YOU TOUCHED EVERYONE'S HEART WHO YOU WORKED WITH. YOU HAD A SMILE THAT COULD LIGHT UP A ROOM... I LOVE YOU. REST IN PEACE MY SISTER IN BLUE FOR I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU.

SSA-1 TENEISHA MCDUFFIE
FORMERLY OF NYPD P.B.B.N

January 4, 2006

You will not be forgotten. Thank you for your many years of service.

See you at the final roll call....

Officer R Amore
Wayne PD, MI

January 1, 2006

School Safety and Teamsters Local 237 have lost a courageous and dedicated colleague and friend who gave her life doing what she loved -- protecting the children of New York City's public schools.

Agent Vivian Samuels, we salute you.

Gregory Floyd, Secretary-Treasurer
Teamsters Local 237

December 31, 2005