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

December 9, 2007

Hi Roddy,
Happy Thanksgiving in Heaven.
Love and miss you
Sally

Sally

November 22, 2007

Rod, I'm crying too hard to say too much, but I think of you often and everything that you did for me. I miss you terribly and love you lots.

A good friend from the (former) 4Ps

October 22, 2007

I was working the area Sgt Burke was so fond of, Park Morton Housing complex and Georgia Ave NW DC, and thought about a time that we arrested a person who just didn't want to go to jail. That was my first use of force complaint investigation, sgt Burke got me through that and other growing experiences during the short time that I was able to work for and with him.
He was a great Officer and Sgt, I think of him often while at work and how he guided me and other new officers to better themselves.

Officer Martin Garrison
MPD 3rd District

October 3, 2007

Happy birthday Rod! I miss you. Many of your friends are at Duffy's tonight in your honor. Jessie went to NYC with Sally, Margie, Nanette and the kids to see Hairspray. I love you and think about you every day. God bless you.

Patti Resmini
Sister

August 16, 2007

Hi Handsome,

It's August 16th, your b-day, and I find myself wondering how all of us made it to this date. I'm not sure how we've managed through the tears and the sadness, but somehow we've arrived and we will again celebrating your b-day without you. Honestly, I still cannot believe you're not here. I continue to expect you to walk through the door with your big smile and very warm "Hello. How's everyone here?"

George and I miss you -- but you already know that. I see your signs once in awhile. Mostly, I know you're with us when I cry and George wanders up to me with this quizzical look and wants to make sure that I'm okay. He makes me laugh out loud when he does this and I know that it was you whispering in his ear to 'check on Stacy'. It's okay to tell him though, that I don't need the big, sloppy Bulldog kisses -- I'm quite fine without those -- except that they do, of course, make me laugh a little harder.

Love you always ... but then you know that too.
Stacy

Stacy

August 16, 2007

Happy Birthday!

August 16, 2007

Hi Roddy,
Happy Birthday in Heaven. Duffy's is having a party to raise money for your scholarship fund tonight. Andy is very kind. We love and miss you.

Sally

August 16, 2007

Thinking of you as your birthday approaches and missing you. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Stacey (Ferguson) Cornman
A Friend

August 15, 2007

oh rod. when the anniversary of your death approached i felt the dread coming on and worked hard to avoid the inevitable. i was in dallas at a stupid meeting last year on 3/23. my phone rang during a meeting. once. twice. three times. then four. i looked down and it had been tom - all of them. i still shake my head because that whole day i had been making a big deal out of the fact that gonzaga had lost the night before in the ncaa finals. big, dramatic, big deal. i'm sure you can imagine (lol). anyway, i'll never forget how t's voice sounded and i immediately felt sick. roddy. in his car. line of duty. gone. it was hard to imagine that day what a world would be like without you in it. it's hard to imagine we won't hear your laugh again. (although i will never forget it. never. it was so spontaneous and big.)

i just want you to know i miss you. i think of you often...it's funny how you just show up unannounced. it usually makes me smile. lately, it makes me sad.

sending love to you, your family and stacy. you're still around, we all feel it. xo

-allie

allison walsh
college friend

May 9, 2007

Hello Burkowitz, I still cannot believe that you are gone. Your loss was and is hard to swallow. I remember the many vice picnic's we had and we talked about your human sweater (LOL). And don't forget your trusty brown curdory court blazer with the patches. You are the king of the kennedy street clean up. You took pride in your work and I always admired you for that. Well, continue to watch over us and rest on my brother, you done well.

Monique Blazio-Caesar
MPD Former 4d Vicer

May 7, 2007

Hey, You silly little goose,

It has been a year and I still can't believe that you are gone. I think of you often and it brings tears to my eyes. We had our times but I always respected you to the upmost. You take care and make sure you show Pit around up there. You both represent that good ole Substation and I will see you two once again.



P.S. Now you know Georgia Ave. is not the same

Officer,Third District Substation
MPDC

April 17, 2007

Hey Sarge its been too long since I've I talked to you. Well by now you know that Pitt is coming to back you up.Please take care of him up there like you did for all of us down here. We miss you both so very much, just know we have the watch down here and everything is ok. Do us a favor look in on us from time to time to keep our hearts filled with warm thoughts of you both.

Officer Richard Jones
MPD 3D-1

April 16, 2007

Hello Sarge, I just wanted to stop by and share a word or two and a cup of laughter with you.

First, you need to know that you are truely missed by the department and the community.

Second, I know you are looking down and watching over your evening troops. You should be proud of each and everyone of them, they are doing just what you trained them to do. They are a good group of men and women.

Third, Officer Pitt has joined the academy for angels, he is exceling well in his training and will be on your squad. So go easy on him he is a rookie in the army of the Lord.

Well, I have to be moving on.
PS. I saw Stacy and she looks good.

God Bless!!

Officer Billie Davis
Third District Substation

April 14, 2007

Sarge,

Well Pitt came to be with you and keep you some company up there. Make sure you take care of him, and keep him by your side. We miss you both so very much and it hurts, but we have a great group of people at the sub-station and that makes it a little easier. God Bless us all.

Officer
MPDC 3D-1

April 11, 2007

"My Brother"

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was idealistic and believed he could make a difference.
He was immensely proud of the uniform and the badge and what they represent.
He felt privileged to be of service to his department, his community and to his country.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was friendly, courteous, and polite, yet firm.
He laughed and joked, but was serious when necessary.
He was competent, trained, and professional.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He had a strong sense of right and wrong and became
frustrated when true justice became sidetracked.
He felt the sharp criticism that goes with the job, but he
never wavered.
He stood by and for his fellow officers.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He longed for his family during the long hours.
He worried about them during his shifts and the lonely
weekends, holidays and midnights when they were apart.
He felt guilty about the lost time, but knew his calling
and prayed they would understand.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was a good son, a loving husband, and a devoted father.
He was dedicated to the profession and cared about the
people he served.
He wanted to do the best job that he could and strived to
be the best he could be.
He was a good citizen and a good neighbor.

He was a cop.

Yes, I did know him.
He was a cop, he was my Brother.

Rest easy Brother Burke, we have the watch...



”I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
---Isaiah 6:8

You answered the call and made the ultimate sacrifice. Rest easy in God's kingdom and watch over us as we continue the battle here on earth!!!

Officer
MPDC

April 8, 2007

Fourth District remembering your sacrafice one year later

Officer
MPD

March 24, 2007

ONE YEAR TODAY. YOUR FAMILY IS IN OUR PRAYERS. JOB WELL DONE, SARGE.

SERGEANT BURKE JR., NEVER FORGOTTEN.

JIM SWEENEY CIVILIAN NEW JERSEY
A FRIEND TO ALL PEACE OFFICERS

March 23, 2007

To Roddy, his parents and other family and friends:

Today is the first anniversary of Roddy's tragic death and the day all your lives changed forever. As I read the loving reflections left by those who called Roddy beloved, I am mindful of the journey we all struggle with as we try to make a life for ourselves...we know that is what our beloved would want us to do, but the heart always aches for the one who can only be with us in spirit for now.

I hope that you all find some peace in your heart today as you hold your memories like the rare and beautiful pearls they are.

May Roddy's spirit continue to soar and his memory continue to inspire.

Rest in Peace, Roddy. Your valor and dedication and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Phyllis Loya, mother of Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

March 23, 2007

Sarge...it's crazy to think it has been a year. I think about you all the time, and love sharing stories about you to people who never knew you (and there were some wild ones). I'll never forget you telling me about the guy who mooned you...That one was classic. I am, however, one of the lucky ones in that I did get to know you. I just wish it was for longer.

God bless your family, loved ones and the whole Third District. I know they miss you as much as I do.

Ofc. J. East
Alexandria PD

March 23, 2007

Hi guy,

One year today. I've been dreading this day, like I dread most since 3/23/06, for a long time. I miss you more today than ever. I know that you are just "on the other side" but some days are so much harder than others -- today will be one of them I suppose.

We will celebrate your life this afternoon and this evening. I know that you'll be with us, in spirit -- as I know you are with all of us everyday.

Missing you,
Stacy

March 23, 2007

Hey, you... it's hard to believe it's been a year without you. I watch my wedding dvd whenever I miss you most - the sight of you dancing and laughing always ends the tears and leaves me smiling. It's so hard to leave a few memories here when I have so many wonderful memories of you... you helped me become who I am today through your friendship and love, and I am honored to have known you. Oh, and I still have that Christmas present for you - it was the first one under our tree this year, and I guess it will be every year from now on. I miss you and love you, my friend.

SueAnne

March 23, 2007

Hi Roddy,
Happy 1 year anniversay in Heaven. It’s comforting to know the kids have you as their own little “guardian angel.” Keep watching over everyone and enjoy Heaven!
Love and miss you always.

PS - Say "HI" to Aunt Florrie for us. We love and miss her too!!

Love Sally

March 23, 2007

On this, the first anniversary of your passing, we pause to remember. We remember not only the officer, but the man behind the badge.
It is in his memory that we continue to serve.

Master Trooper
Virginia State Police

March 23, 2007

I wanted to let your family know you are still saving lives. My husband is a deputy and at his department ordere physical his blood pressure was up. He never went back for more tests because he thought it was no big deal. Upon reading your story I forced my husband to go back to the doctor for a complete workup. Turns out he was a heart attack waiting to happen at 32. I am sure he wouldn't have gone if he hadn't read your story. All of his numbers are down and with continued diet and exerice he will be able to go off all of the medicine he is currently taking. I have 2 small children and I don't know what I would do without my husband. Thank you again, for saving his life.
LEO wife

March 23, 2007