Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sergeant LeBow R.I.P. Sir. God Bless you and your Family.

VIPS Jeff Claybern
Alexandria Kentucky Police Dept.

February 5, 2008

"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

February 5, 2008

Rest in peace trooper. Thankyou fort the time you stood watch. All your brothers' on "The Job" will miss you.

Det. R. Castelhano 160
Mount Vernon NY PD

February 5, 2008

Even if I never had the honor of knowing you, I want to think you for your service. May god look over you and your family in this time of loss. We serve the same purpose, my brother. Seeing the news of your demise, makes me all the more aware of the sarafice we all share.

May the lord hold us all close, my sisters and brothers in blue!!

Officer Higgins-Galluppo
Arkansas officer

February 5, 2008

Such a long career, only to be ended by a tragedy. My sincere condolences go out to Sergeant LeBow's family, friends and the entire Arkansas State Police family. May God bring comfort during this time.

TROOPER JOHN C. MOORE
WISCONSIN STATE PATROL

February 5, 2008

Sarge, you've had a good watch. God bless its time to rest, we'll take it. You've done more then your job. God Speed.

Master Sergeant
Illinois State Police

February 5, 2008

The family as well as the Arkansas Troopers will be in my prayers. For 27 years this MAN worked hard at protecting the people of the state of Arkansas and this country. It is now time for him to rest in peace. I salute Sgt. LeBow not only as a dedicated Trooper but also as a good man and from what I have read in these reflections a Hero to Little league ball players. This told me a lot about this man. I am a retired Sergeant of the South Carolina State Highway Patrol and returning coming out of retirement to be a Trooper again. I will carry this man's memory with me as an example. Thank you Lord for blessing us with the life of this fine man.

Trooper W.R.Griffith Jr.
South Carolina Highway Patrol

February 5, 2008

You are a true HERO. God speed.

Cpl. K. McGee
Murphy PD,Texas

February 5, 2008

The Fort Smith Police Department would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sergeant Richard C LeBow, and the Arkansas State Police. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of great sadness. Please take comfort in knowing that your extended law enforcement family grieves with you. Sergeant LeBow, we thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Fort Smith Police Department

February 5, 2008

I have only seen you but never spoke to you before. From what I have read on here I wish I had met you. May God welcome you with open arms and keep an arm around your wife and children for support. God Speed.

Communications Officer James Haggard
Van Buren Police Department

February 5, 2008

My deepest condolences to the family of Sergeant LeBow.
Please know that my prayers are with you at this terrible time. May the Lord be with you and give you strength and courage for the days to come.

Jennifer Mayo
Sister of fallen Deputy Hilery A. Mayo Jr. STPSO La.

February 5, 2008

Our prayers and deepest sympathy to the family and the fellow officers.
Rest in peace Sarge you will not be forgotten.
May God comfort your family during this difficult time.
Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Deborah Roelandts (911 retired)
Oconomowoc Wisconsin

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc

February 5, 2008

Rest in Peace, Sergeant LeBow. You have served your tour as hero for a very long time. Our prayers go to your family and fellow officers and friends. You will not be forgotten.

Craig Dabroski

February 5, 2008

Rest in Peace, Brother.

OFC B. Grajek

February 5, 2008

On behalf of our Academy class, thank you for your unselfish service and for the sacrifice you made. God speed, Sir.

Recruit Evans
Arlington, TX. PD - Class 35

February 5, 2008

God be with you Sgt. Lebow and may your family recieve the peace and comfort that only the lord can give. I appreciate everything you stood for. Respectfully,

Officer Ryan S. Rowe
Bonanza Police Dept

February 4, 2008

My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to your wife, and entire family, your friends, and entire department. You will not be forgotten! I know that Angel wings softly carried you high into the heavens above. God Bless!

Police Dispatcher Sara Singleton
Howard County Maryland Police Communications 911 Center

February 4, 2008

My heart and prayers go out to Sergeant LeBow and his family. It's not easy to understand why this situation occurred. Sergeant LeBow is in a better place watching over all of us. He will be a guardian angel to not only his personal family but his family within law enforcement. Sergeant LeBow, to you I salute for being brave in fearful times, for being strong when most are weak, and for taking the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the safety and welfare of Arkansas. May you rest in peace and may God bless you. We will miss you and please watch over us all.

Police Explorer Nick Sisti
FSPD & Washington County Explorers

February 4, 2008

I am deeply saddened by the death of Sgt. Lebow. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Trooper
Virginia State Police

February 4, 2008

We have too just lost a fellow brother to a traffic collision. My thoughts and prayers are with you, and your family in this time of mourning. We all go to work thinking that we will be home at the end of our shift. The reality is you never know. You can rest asure that we will care on your duties and stand watch.

TFC T.T. Blackwelder
Troop 7/ Post C
S.C. Highway Patol

TFC T.T. Blackwelder
S.C. Highway Patrol

February 4, 2008

Thank you, Sergeant LeBow, for your service to the citizens of Arkansas and the United States. Even though you served miles away from me, I appreciate your dedication and efforts to protecting me and my family. Your service will not be forgotten. Rest in peace, HERO!

Janice Brown
Conway, Arkansas
civilian

Janice Brown
civilian

February 4, 2008

What can I say? I am grief stricken and almost speechless. When a Trooper friend from Troop L in Springdale told me about this, I was in shock. After seeing Ricky on ODMP, I can’t possibly describe my feelings of sorrow and pain. Ricky & I are just months apart in age. We both went to work, about the same time, at different police agencies. Therefore, we have been friends for over thirty (30) years. We would 10-49 many a night when we were on night shift. I vividly remember the day Ricky called and said “Hey, I got accepted to the State Police. I’m gonna be Trooper!” I was happy for him but sad because I knew that by becoming a Trooper he would be transferred away from me. Ricky was one of the most kind, genuine, and down to earth men I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Even though a year or two would pass before we met again, Ricky always greeted me the same way: When we extended our hands to shake, he would pull me to his body, slap me on the back, and say “How you doin’ pal? Long time, no see.”

The ONLY solace I can take is that Ricky wasn’t gunned down by some dirt bag. To his family I offer my love, sympathy and prayers. The world will NOT be the same without ASP Sergeant Richard C. LeBow. But, Heaven will be a better place because he is there. May God bless us all in this time of trial. Ricky, you will FOREVER be a hero and will NEVER be forgotten! I will always miss you and always love you. We SHALL meet again. Until that day, keep walking your beat on the golden streets of Heaven

FPD Sgt. Mark Hanna, Retired

February 4, 2008

You did this job for many years; your fellow law enforcement officers and community thank you for your service. God bless you and may you rest in peace.

Deputy Doug Sullivan
Fresno County Sheriff's Dept. (CA)

February 4, 2008

May god bless you. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, and your agency at this difficult time and those to come. You will not be forgotten.

Communications Officer
Floyd County Sheriff's Department, IN

February 4, 2008

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

February 4, 2008