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

Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

August 24, 2008

God Bless you and your family. Thank you for your dedication to the state of New Jersey.
Sincerely,
Jon Lowder, Cpl.
Union County Sheriff's Office
Monroe, North Carolina

CPL. JON LOWDER
UNION COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

August 24, 2008

Rest in Peace my Brother, God Bles you, your family and your Dept.

OFFICER BOB SWOPE #5609
OLMSTED FALLS POLICE DEPT.OHIO

August 24, 2008

Dear family of Tommy: please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. I can't believe that he is really gone. It is such a shame and waste of a young life. Please tell your baby all about his father and let him know that Tommy will be looking down from heaven on him or her, guiding, watching and loving him/her.

My deepest condolences for your loss. I wanted to attend the services, but I can't see him laying there, its just too hard. I am sorry.

Joyce
family friend

August 24, 2008

Rest In Peace, Officer Raji.

Lt T Carr
NYPD

August 24, 2008

Officer Raji, thank you for your service. My dad lives in Perth Amboy and has since 1985. So for the years you served, thank you for taking care of him. I know the reason he has been safe is due to you and your brothers on the Perth Amboy Police Department. When I called him to see if he had heard, he told me he did, and that he cried. He nearly lost me to an on duty collision almost 8 years ago so it really hit home. My thoughts and prayers go out to your wife, family and parents.
Rest In Peace, Brother.

Sgt. Mark Rivera
Maryland State Police

August 24, 2008

REST IN PEACE, BROTHER
PROVINCIAL CONSTABLE MARTY LALONDE, ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE

Anonymous

August 24, 2008

On behalf of the men and women of the Camillus Police Department, our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and co-workers of Police Officer Thomas Raji. Rest in Peace Brother, We now have the Watch.

PBA
Town of Camillus Police Department, Central New York

August 24, 2008

My family would like to send our condolences to the family, friends, and fellow co-workers of P.O. Thomas Raji~you're in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. May God give you the strength to carry on and help heal your hearts. May you find comfort and support with those around you.
God bless you and rest in peace, Officer Raji!

Gail M. Pabst
Aunt of a fallen MI P.O. eow 2004

August 24, 2008

Rest in peace brother, you will not be forgotten.

Patrolman Shaun McCready
Altoona (PA) Police Department

August 24, 2008

Rest ion peace bro' we'll take it from here

PO JA Bottillo
Troy NY PD

August 24, 2008

Officer Raji ... Thank you for your service brother ... we keep your watch.

Ofc. Connor / District Four Officers
U.S. Park Police / Washington DC

August 24, 2008

Rest in Peace, Brother.

OFC B. Grajek

August 24, 2008

REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

INVESTIGATOR BOB CAMERON
CLEVELAND HTS PD (OHIO)

August 24, 2008

The members at Arresting Hearts wish to offer their deepest heartfelt sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Thomas Raji. Because of Officer Thomas Raji‘s ultimate sacrifice we live in a safer place. We thank you for your service and your dedication.


The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.” Mary Stevenson 1936


With love and respect,

The members of ArrestingHearts.com

The members of ArrestingHearts.com
www.arrestinghearts.com

August 24, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

K9 Officer Tom Sumerville Jr
Eutaw Police Department

August 23, 2008

RIP brother

PO Dan Ehrenreich
NYPD

August 23, 2008

The Angels carried another Hero high into the heavens above. Offering my deepest sympathy and prayers to your family, friends, and entire department. May you rest in peace. God Bless!

Dispatcher Sara Singleton
Howard County Maryland Communications 911 Center

August 23, 2008

Rest in peace....

Patrolman
Pennsylvania

August 23, 2008

Today we lost a hero, this day God welcomed one home.

Patrolman Dwayne Delcour
Mansfield Police Mansfield, Mo

August 23, 2008

Rest in Peace.

Det. Castelhano
Mt. Vernon NY PD

August 23, 2008

Officer Raji, thank you for your service, dedication, bravery and sacrifices you made to the people of New Jersey. You will NEVER be forgotten and will be remembered in my daily prayers. God Bless your family, friends and your Police Family. May you rest in God's Love and in His Arms.
Respectfully
Kathi Halligan PHILA PA wife and mom of LEO'S

Kathi Halligan
Philadelphia, PA.

August 23, 2008

Rest in peace brother. Your service will never be forgotton.

Jake
Citizen

August 23, 2008

R.I.P. Officer Raji

Ptl. Andres Mejia
Lawrence Twp, NJ

August 23, 2008

Thank you Officer Raji. My prayers are with you and your family.

Officer Andrew Laurinec
Hammond Police Dept

August 23, 2008