Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

A Real Hero Indeed
By: Brian Betts

A hero is real; it's inside all of us.
Some show it everyday,
Some hide it away.
You are a hero, it was your job.
To take criminals off the street,
To keep a community safe.
And sometimes it takes a person,
To lay down his own life for another.
And that is what you did.
What do we give in thanks...?
A coffin draped with the American Flag,
A 21-gun salute.
Bagpipes being played, and even taps.
And what do we have to remember you?
A folded flag, a badge, a uniform.
And slowly we forget the story.
But one thing that wont be forgotten,
Is who you were,
Who you are,
And what you did.
That signifies you a hero indeed!

Written and copyrighted by
Brian J. Betts
Surviving Sibling of
Officer Christopher R. Betts, East Point Police Dept., Ga
EOW 12-22-02



May Trooper Baldridge's family know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many throughout the state of Ohio, and across this great nation. It saddens me to see another young officers life taken so early. Trooper Baldridge is a hero, no doubt about that, to lay down your own life to protect and serve makes you a hero. RIP hero, patrol the streets and highways of Gold, walk with Jesus, and watch down on your friends and family here.

Brian Betts
Sibling, Ofc Christopher R. Betts Eow 12-22-02

February 10, 2010

Rest in peace, brother. May God be with the family of Trooper Baldridge during this time of mourning. We've got the watch from here.

BL Mitchell, Patrol
FCPD, VA

February 10, 2010

On behalf of all Missouri officers, dispatchers and the like, I extend our sincere sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Trooper Baldridge. Rest in peace our fallen hero.

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

February 9, 2010

To Trooper Baldridge's family and fellow troopers i'm saddened for you what a terrible tradgedy! May god bring you comfort during this time! Your in my thoughts and prayers!

Anonymous

February 9, 2010

Gone, but never forgotten, Rest easy now my Brother in Law, your watch on earth is over. God please watch over, and tend to the loved ones left behind.......

Sgt. John L. Gulledge (Ret.)
Escambia CO Sheriff's Office Pensacola FL.

February 9, 2010

All God's angels come to us disguised.
--James Russell Lowell

You will be missed brother.
--Ed Holland

Detective Cpl. Edward Holland
Goshen Twp. PD Clermont County

February 9, 2010

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Trooper Baldridge as well as the brotherhood at Ohio State Highway Patrol. May you rest in God's eternal peace our brother!

Detective Mark Techmanski
City of Syracuse (NY) Police Department

February 9, 2010

God Bless the family and the department on Trooper Baldridge's untimely death. He was a hero who just got his wings...

Sgt's Mother
Colorado Spring's Police Department

February 9, 2010

Trooper Baldridge,

Rest in peace brother.

Detective Dave Howell
Plano,Texas Police Dept-Auto Theft

February 9, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Trooper Baldridge and his extended family,the Ohio State Highway Patrol.May god give you the strength and comfort during this difficult time.
Also,I want to wish a speedy recovery for his Training Officer.

L/Cpl J.E.Kimbrell
South Carolina Highway Patrol

February 9, 2010

R.I.P Law Enforcement Brother! From everyone at the Bellevue Police Dept.

Patrolman Eric M. Burt
Bellevue Police Dept.

February 9, 2010

There are know words to say, that can easy the pain of loosing another officer. We depend on each other no matter what the uniform color. My prayers go out to Trooper Baldridge family and friends, he will always be remembered. We will never know WHY officers are taken so young, but I believe he is in Gods arms now safe watching over each of us, exspecially is family and friends. Trooper Baldridge rest in peace we'll take it from here, as you patrol the streets of gold, please keep an eye on all that is left be hind. see you on the other side. God Bless

Deputy
Jackson Co SO Ohio

February 9, 2010

Trooper Baldridge, God bless you young Trooper and may he watch over your family.

Former Trooper Ken R. Bays
Virginia State Police

February 9, 2010

Rest in Peace, Brother.

OFC B. Grajek

February 8, 2010

My DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO FAMILY FRIENDS & AGENCY ON THEIR LOST

TCO III TAMMY TYLER
SC HIGHWAY PATROL/DISPATCH

February 8, 2010

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

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

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

February 8, 2010

Andy, In one way or another you will always be with the 149, you inspired us all, helped to lift us when we fell and gave your all to help us succeed. Thank you for given so much in so little time. Rest easy brother, we will keep working hard to make you proud.

Tpr. Salamon
OSHP

February 8, 2010

RIP Trooper Baldridge. Please watch out for all of us while in heaven. Thank you for your service. I pray for your family in this difficult time.

Anonymous

February 8, 2010

REST IN PEACE TROOPER.

INVESTIGATOR BOB CAMERON
CLEVELAND HTS PD (OHIO)

February 8, 2010

Thank you for your service and Sacrifice. Your family, friends and co-workers will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Rest in peace Trooper

J Clendening #407
Glades County Sheriffs Office (FL)

February 8, 2010

My thoughts and prayers go out to all friends families and co workers of Trooper Baldridge. This is all way too familiar and hits home with me.

Bridget Risner
widow of Trooper Joshua P Risner EOW 9/28/06

February 8, 2010

Rest easy Trooper. May God be with you and your family.

Trooper
Virginia State Police

February 8, 2010

Family Baldridge,

Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Edward Davis

CW2 Ned Davis
Ohio Army National Guard

February 8, 2010

My condolences to the family of Trooper Baldridge and members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol for your lost. The on duty death of an officer takes a terrible toll on the members of the organization but I know that the professionalism and dedication of the OSHP will sustain you during this difficult time. What adds to this tragic event is that Trooper Baldridge was starting his career of service. My prayers, also for the recovery of Trooper McLaughlin. Trooper Baldridge may you rest in peace.

Sgt. Derek Chow, Retired
Victoria Police Dept, Canada

February 8, 2010

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of Trooper Andrew Baldridge. RIP Brother--we have it from here.

Officer Jimmy Bartley
Beaumont, TX. PD

February 8, 2010