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 1, 2007

Landon,

I drive past your "last place" alot, and everytime I do, it makes me a stronger man. We will keep it a beautiful place for you and your family always.

At ntn as soon as you walk in, your right next to Liz on the wall. I always, as does every single other brother and sister who walks through the door, winks at you and smiles, every single day.

Your wife and children will ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS be protected by us and in our hearts.

P2 J
NTN LAPD

November 16, 2007

Thank GOD - for men like you.

Jason R.
Seal Team 4 (Lt. 1st)

October 24, 2007

Landon:

It has been one year since you've been gone. During this time you have not been forgotten by your fellow officers or by me. Our life memories of you live with us and with me. I will never forget the person that you were in life. You left an indelible mark upon the landscape of our hearts with those you worked with and for those you served. I pray for your family, hoping that they will be safe and that your wife and sons' will live prosperous and productive lives. God Bless you my Brother, may you rest in peace always.

Sgt. Wayne K. Guillary
LAPD Supervisor and Friend

October 23, 2007

"D":

It is hard to believe that it has already been a year, since I called the Watch Commander asking if we had lost someone in a TC, because I kept having so many bad dreams that depicted such an incident.

Tomorrow after training, I will have a drink in memory of You, "Skip" Messerly, and Chuck Heim.

May You Rest - In - Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

October 22, 2007

My thoughts are with all of your loved ones on this first anniversary of your EOW. Continue to watch over all of your loved ones and those still out on patrol. 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

October 22, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service.

VanDenBerghe
NH

October 19, 2007

As we close in on the 1st anniversary of your death, know you have not been forgotten. Your family, children, friends and in my prayers. God Bless you Landon.... We are carrying on the fight.

September 18, 2007

THE BROKEN CHAIN

We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name, In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you, the day God called you home, You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide; and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same; But as God calls us one by one, THE CHAIN will be link again.

Marisabel, Landon Jr. and Brendan

August 20, 2007

It has been really hard living with out you. Landon Jr asked for you the other day. He told me to call you at work and to tell you to come home. All Brendan wants to do is kiss every picture I have of you in the house. Landon Jr and Brendan started school. Landon loves it but Brendan cries. Landon Jr is very smart like you. I am very proud of our boys.
Don't worry honey, I promise I will do every thing you wanted our boys to do in life. We love you and miss you. I pray to God to let you watch over us everyday.

Besitos



Honey, please be with us at all times.

Marisabel
Wife

July 31, 2007

We think of you every day...it's still hard to accept that you left. I know you're up in heaven, smiling down on us. I am sure that you are very happy that you are with God! We will never forget you. I pray for your family, they need you so much...please watch over them!!

friend

July 7, 2007

You will always be remembered as a great Police Officer.Rest in Peace and God bless your family.

Capt.Taylor
LAPD

June 18, 2007

I have your picture in my locker and I look at it every day before I hit the streets. You are a reminder to me to treasure life and family and to realize how quick it can be taken away. I miss the report writing room shananigans back when you were on AMs. You will always be part of the Newton family. I miss you tons bro, watch over us from above.

Ofcr Blake
Newt div

May 22, 2007

Dear Landon,

I just received this months issue of APB and was floored. I never in a million years expected to see your name. I immediately was drawn back to all the wonderful times we had patrolling the streets of Santa Ana, in particular the David Horowitz "Fight Back Stop", LOL. I can never thank you enough for all that you taught me. When one speaks of heroes you definately fit the bill. I will always miss you and keep you and your family in my prayers.

Rest in peace brother. Rest in peace.

your friend,

Chris Bougher

Chris Bougher
C.H.P (Ret.#15378)

May 17, 2007

Rest In Peace Officer Dorris! I will pray for your loved ones.

Melissa G. Ayers
Cheyenne, Wyoming

Melissa G. Ayers
None

May 11, 2007

I wanted to write something to comfort his family and honor Officer Dorris’s service and sacrifice. After reading the touching and poignant messages left for him and his family by others from all over America and beyond, I feel humble and unequal to the task. Landon’s work, his service and sacrifice, were not only noble they made him part of a greater family, the Law Enforcement family. We all grieve for him and celebrate his life. Like Officer Davis from Nashville, Tennessee, next week I will be riding in the Police Unity Tour specifically in memory of Officer Dorris. Although we never met, I feel I knew him. Landon Dorris was the kind of man who ran into burning buildings and toward the sound of gunfire. His job was to serve and protect. As Lieutenant Commander Vernon J Gelberth (Retired) of the NYPD said “Remember, We work for God.”

Captain Paul Philipps
Parsippany Police, Parsippany NJ

May 2, 2007

Hello to Marisabel, Landon Jr, Brendan, LAPD Northeast, and other friends and family of Officer Dorris. I have the privilege of representing Officer Dorris in this year's Police Unity Tour for Police Memorial Week in Washington D.C. In reading Officer Dorris' reflections, I can tell that he was very much loved by his family and friends. I am honored to ride for him, and look forward to meeting everyone in D.C.

Officer Emily Davies
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, TN

Officer Emily Davies
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department

March 15, 2007

Bless you and bless your family for suffering such a tremendous loss! I just hope and pray tonight, just as every night that we make you proud and know that you are not alone and will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!

Ofcr Wright
LAPD

February 20, 2007

Just tonight there was a back-up on Drew and Estara, this time it wasn't you but still through all the commotion you fell into my thoughts as you do so many times while we are out patrolling. So many great memories and stories come to mind, some I share and others I just smile to myself about. "Dora the Explorer" I know you got our back. We miss you Bro.

LAPD-Northeast

January 14, 2007

It is not how these officers died that made them heroes
It is how they lived

Rest in peace my brother your service is done.

Deputy Chief Anderson
LAPD

January 10, 2007

Officer Dorris,

Know that while your tour of duty continues in the heavens with God your beloved Marisabel is in our care. Know that the Los Angeles Police Department Family Support Group will always, throughout her lifetime, be a place for her to receive comfort, tears, solice, support, caring, and love. She is now one of our sisters and we will take excellent care of her.

Landon, rest in peace as she is now part of our family.

God bless you and keep you.

Marijo Johnson
LAPD FSG

Marijo Johnson
LAPD Family Support Group

January 6, 2007

"If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded." -- Maya Angelou

Aloha Police Officer II Landon Dorris,
Thank you for your service and dedication to your community and your country. You and all officers that continue to lay your lives on the line and pay the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities and country safe, will NEVER be forgotten.

I personally pledge, (after one of Hawaii's own, Honolulu Police Officer Steve Favela, lost his life in the line of duty protecting our Commander in Chief, President George W. Bush), to become a continuum of the "ODMP Light". That light is in the form of an ODMP tribute.

People from all walks of life, regardless of age, race, religion, profession, education, and geographical location can share here a word or two on behalf of each and every fallen officer.

Every fallen officer is an hero. The ODMP serves as a place where that continuum of "LIGHT" can be seen through and within, the heart and soul of each and every person who honors our fallen heroes with a relection and/or tribute. As we say in Hawaii, "We are `Ohana. We are family".

May God comfort the family and loved ones who have lost their beloved Landon. May God also comfort those who have lost a fellow officer and friend that can never be replaced in this lifetime.

I wish you peace and love beyond all understanding.
May you rest in peace Police Officer II Landon Dorris.
Me Ke Aloha Pumehana. Amen.

**I pray all find comfort in this Hawaiian prayer I leave you.**

THE PEACE OF " I "
KA MALUHIA O KA "I"

Peace be with you, All My Peace,
O ka Maluhia no me oe, Ku'u Maluhia a pau loa,

The Peace that is " I ", the Peace that is "I am".
Ka Maluhia o ka "I", owau no ka Maluhia,

The Peace for always, now and forever and evermore.
Ka Maluhia no na wa a pau, no ke'ia wa a mau a mau loa aku.

My Peace " I " give to you, My Peace " I " leave with you,
Ha'awi aku wau I ku'u Maluhia ia oe, waiho aku wau I ku'u Maluhia me oe,

Not the world's Peace, but, only My Peace,
The Peace of " I ".

A'ole ka Maluhia o ke ao aka, ka'u Maluhia wale no,
Ka Maluhia o ka "I".

Moana V.C. Molale (Private Citizen)
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Island

January 5, 2007

...things happen for a reason...but, no use trying to explain things...we are stronger because of you...your family is stronger because of you...are prayers are with with your family everynight, especially these first holidays without you...it will never be easy with you gone...you will never be forgotten...

ntn friend

January 2, 2007

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. It gives me strength to know that so many people cared about my husband Landon. While we miss him deeply, I will make sure that his memory lives on forever. May God bless you all.

Marisabel, Landon Jr and Brendan Dorris
His Family

December 10, 2006

To the family and friends of Officer Dorris my heartfelt condolences. I've heard some the stories and seen the love your family had for you during our brief meeting. I had the honor of escorting you during your journey home. Thank you for standing the watch then and now. God bless and keep your family.

Brian RN
USC RN

December 8, 2006