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

September 17, 2007

Thoughts and prayers are with your family and your agency. RIP Brother in Blue.

Patrolman D. Kirk #309
Round Lake Heights PD (IL)

September 17, 2007

I worked for the Odessa PD for thirteen years and Abel was a friend. He was an exemplary officer, one of three employed at the Odessa Police Department. I transferred to another Department and begged Abel to come with me, but his dedication to his children and the City of Odessa was too strong. He was working overtime when he killed. He was brave and courageous. I never heard a negative comment about Abel from anyone. He will be missed dearly and I know he is in heaven free from the struggels of earth. Love you Abel .. 713

Sgt Rickey George

September 16, 2007

Rest in peace Corporal Marquez, you are a true Hero. My deepest condolences to your family and your Department.

Sergeant L. Arteaga
Miami-Dade Police

September 16, 2007

May God Bless you brother! our thoughts and prayers go out to your family, friends, and the Odessa Police Dept.

Patrolman
New Mexico State Police

September 16, 2007

REST IN PEACE. MAY YOU BE IN GODS HANDS AND WITH THE ANGELS UP IN HEAVEN. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS. WE WILL MISS YOU DEARLY. WITH LOVE THE GOMEZ FAMILY

patricia gomez
cousin by marriage

September 16, 2007

REST IN PEACE. MAY YOU BE IN GODS HANDS AND WITH THE ANGELS UP IN HEAVEN. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS. WE WILL MISS YOU DEARLY. WITH LOVE THE GOMEZ FAMILY

patricia gomez
cousin by marriage

September 16, 2007

May god be with you and your Family...

Jennifer

September 16, 2007

May the Lord comfort your family and friends and give you eternal peace in that special place reserved for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Rest in peace Brother.

Ptlmn. James Murray
Chicago Police Department - Retired

September 16, 2007

Rest in peace brother.

1773P
CSPD

September 16, 2007

Thank you....May you rest in peace and may God always bless your family.

Grateful

September 16, 2007

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Corporal Marquez as well as the brotherhood of the Odessa Police Department. May you rest in eternal peace our brother.

Detective Mark Techmanski
City of Syracuse, NY Police Department

September 16, 2007

God Bless you Corp. My prayers are with your family and the Odessa P.D. Thanks Brother for the ultimate. You hung on as long as you could we got man sleep in peace.

Sergeant C.Johnson
Miami Dade P.D.

September 15, 2007

Corporal Marquez, thank you for your brave and selfless service. My prayers and tears are with your family, friends, and Police brothers and sisters.

How can we ever repay you? You've given us EVERYTHING.

Timothy Reise
Nashville, TN (cousin of Chicago Police officer)

September 15, 2007

Rest in peace my brother.

PATROLMAN PJ AMROLLAH
FAIR OAKS RANCH POLICE DEPARTMENT, TX

September 15, 2007

rest well sir you are in good company, god bless you.

jason parker patrolman
new london tx police department

September 15, 2007

I SEND MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND ODESSA POLICE DEPARTMENT REGARDING THE DEMISE OF CORPORAL ABEL MARQUEZ. I PRAY EVERYONE WHO KNEW THIS HONORABLE MAN WILL CONTINUE TO REMEMBER HIS BRAVERY, COURAGE, AND THE LEGACY IN WHICH HE LEFT.

CORPORAL ABEL MARQUEZ YOUR SHIFT IS OVER NOW, WE WILL TAKE IT FROM HERE. REST IN PEACE, BROTHER...

DEPUTY SHERIFF JAMES E. BRADFORD JR.
BRADLEY COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

September 15, 2007

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Cpl. Marquez. May God be with your family during this trying time.

Brad Gray #530
Henderson County SO, TX

September 15, 2007

Even though I did not know this brave officer, he was a hero. Everyone in Odessa area were praying in hopes that this officer would pull through and give us some kind of joy during this time of need. He fought for his life for days and I pray his family and friends find it in their heart to move forward.

Robert
citizen

September 15, 2007

I cannot express my saddnes enough to the family and the department of Corporal Marquez. My husband was a Toledo Police Officer who was killed in the line of duty in February of this year and the pain and shock of this horrible tragedy is still fresh. I am sadden because I know what you all are going through and this senseless tragedy is not understood. My thoughts are prayers are with you all. God Speed.

Danielle Dressel
Wife of a Fallen Officer

September 15, 2007

Rest in Peace brother we will hold the line. You gave the ultimate sacrifice your honor and bravery will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family and the OPD family.

Deputy Sean Roach
Brewster County Sheriff's Office

September 15, 2007

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Geraldine Breston-Jennings

September 15, 2007

Thank you for your service and may GOD bless you and your family.

HEROES LIVE FOREVER!

Dispatcher
Fairfax COunty Police, VA

September 15, 2007

May the Lord bless Corporal Marquez, his family, friends and fellow Officers. Thank you for your service and may you rest in peace Brother.

Patrolman Bryan Losagio
Salisbury Township Police Department, Lehigh County, Pa

September 15, 2007

Thank you for your service and dedication. May you rest in peace, Sir! You will never be forgotten.

Police Officer

September 15, 2007