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

A tribute to your sacrifice- an American Hero!

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

July 26, 2009

Sgt. May, your watch is ended. May our Heavenly Father watch over your family and friends during this tragic time. May your soul walk carefully and proudly into everlasting life. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in God’s peace my friend, you deserve it.
REV

Chaplain Michael Grinnals
Camillus Police Department

July 26, 2009

Sarg,
I was still living in Ceres (A town next to Modesto) when the incident happened. I remember reading about it and talking to other cops about it. By all accounts, you were a tough cop, you had guts and you were straight up. That would explain why you held on so long. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. You will always be remembered as a hero. Rest in peace. Job well done now go with G-d

Corporal Tim Zuniga
UC Berkeley Police Department

July 26, 2009

God Bless you sir.

Rick F.
Ret. CO

July 26, 2009

Rest in peace brother you are never forgotten.

Anonymous

July 26, 2009

None of us can imagine the stress your loved ones have experienced all these years.. waiting for you to awaken and join them in life again. God bless you and you complete your life journey. May you go in peace and feel the healing love and may your family be at peace as well. Thank you sir for your sacrifice to save your community from people like this. God Bless.

Concerned Citizen

July 26, 2009

On behalf of all Missouri law enforcement officers, dispatchers and the like, we extend our sincere sympathy to the family, fellow officers and friends of Sergeant May. Thank you for your service. Rest in Peace our fallen hero.

Scott Barthelmass, Founder/Team Manager
Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team

July 25, 2009

May you rest in peace, Sir! You will never be forgotten.

Police Officer

July 25, 2009

Rest in peace Sergeant May, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you very much for your service!

Shelly
Citizen

July 25, 2009

Sergeant May,
You fought long and hard and you hung in there longer than a lot of people could have. You lived a hero and died a hero. Rest in peace brother, we'll take it from here. You will never be forgotten.

Sgt Ncye
Broward Sheriff's Office

July 25, 2009

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Anonymous

July 25, 2009

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

OFFICER BOB SWOPE #5609
OLMSTED FALLS POLICE DEPT.OHIO

July 25, 2009

Rest In Peace Sarge. Your battle is over. Go to your final resting place knowing the subject who took you life was killed the day you were involved in the accident. My condolences to your Family and the Modesto PD.

PO Fred Nordt
Lake Success Pd, Long Island, NY

July 25, 2009

My sincerest sympathy to the family and friends of Sergeant Steven May as well as to the Modesto Police Department. Rest in peace Sergeant May, you are gone but will not be forgotten...

Dispatcher Sue Rusch
Punta Gorda PD, Punta Gorda FL

July 25, 2009

REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

INVESTIGATOR BOB CAMERON
CLEVELAND HTS PD (OHIO)

July 25, 2009

Our hearts and prayers go out to your family and friends in their of sorrow. May God Bless and Rest in Peace!

Cpl David Murphy
TX DPS

July 25, 2009

May you rest in peace brother. Job well done!

Trooper Mark Holthaus
Washington State Patrol

July 25, 2009

For Sergeant Steven May:

Our duties involve that we engage many risks as law officers. Vehicle crashes that are experienced while performing our job add to this risk.

Steve May was unfortunate to have not only been the victim of such a crash performing his duty, but lying unconscious for many years afterward is a nightmare not only for him and those close to him.

While the high-risk is expected and accepted, years of contending with the after-math of this horror is both sad and difficult for family and friends. While regretting his passing, and knowing that hope was always present for his recovery, Steve's plight and the pain of enduring this hardship is now finally over.

We pray for Steve, his family, friends and co-workers.

I proundly render Sergeant Steven May, a hero among heros, a final salute.

Cpl. Ralph D. Fiorenza (Ret.)
Pennylvania State Police

July 25, 2009

So many years of selfless, brave dedication. God bless Sgt. May and may God give his wife and children the strength that they need.

Anonymous

July 25, 2009

Rest in Peace, Brother.

OFC B. Grajek

July 25, 2009

God bless you and your family.

A Texas Street Cop #614

Anonymous

July 25, 2009

Another hero called home, may God be with the family and friends of Sgt. May.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02

Anonymous

July 25, 2009

Rest in peace Sergeant May!
You will not be forgotten!
VALAWENFORCEMENT salutes you!

Willie Bell Hopewell VA
Friend Of All Law Enforcement Officers!

July 25, 2009

Rest in peace brother and thank you for your service.

Gordon Hobbs
NC Game Warden

July 25, 2009

MAY THE ANGELS LEAD YOU IN AND PROTECT YOU FOREVER. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND THE MODESTO POLICE DEPARTMENT CALIFORNIA.
AUNT OF TROOPER CRAIG J TODESCHINI EOW 04/23/06

Anonymous

July 25, 2009