Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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

March 1, 2010

Rest In Peace and thank you for serving the Fresno County

Ofc. E.A. Torres
Bristol PD, CT

March 1, 2010

Rest in peace Brother. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. May our thoughts remain with his family and friends.

S.M.B.
Upstate NY

March 1, 2010

God speed Deputy Wahlenmaier. Your job now is to watch over the rest of us. See you on the other side, and God bless your family and department.

Deputy Jason Alexander
Crawford County Sheriffs Office

February 28, 2010

God bless you and your family

-R.I.P HERO-

Anonymous

February 28, 2010

With a very heavy and saddened heart I am again flying the American Flag at my residence at half staff in honor and respect for Deputy Wahlenmaier. I would also like to extend the thoughts and prayers of the Tulare United Methodist Church. To a Hero John 15:13

Lt. Stephen C. Harrell (Ret.)
Tulare Police Department

February 28, 2010

God Bless you brother. We will never forget~

Sergeant Timothy Long
Long Beach Police Department CA.

February 28, 2010

Rest in peace brother, may your sacrifice and memory never fade.

SGT Ron Buchholz
SANDOVAL CO SHERIFF RIO RANCHO NM(EX LASD LKD)

February 28, 2010

Thank you for your service sir. May you rest in peace.

Ofc. R. Thomas
Howard County Police Department, Maryland

February 28, 2010

Rest in Peace Brother. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and the entire Fresno County Sheriff's Dept..

Sgt. R. Gregson
BART Police Department, CA.

February 28, 2010

Deputy Wahlenmaier, you will not be forgotten! R.I.P.

Deputy Sheriff
Livingston County (Il) Sheriff's Ofc.

February 28, 2010

Joel,
You we a credit to your uniform. May god bless u.RIP

desmond Goulding
Retired Special Constable NSW Australia

February 28, 2010

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

Shelly
Citizen

February 28, 2010

It has been a distinct honor to work beside Deputy Joel Wahlenmaier. He was a consummate gentleman looked upon with the highest regard by his partners. As a supervisor you couldn’t ask for a better Deputy Sheriff. Joel had a sweet gentle nature and quiet determination. We Love you Joel and our hearts broken. But I am sustained by my faith that you are with the Lord. I will forever be grateful that you graced our lives with your presence.

God Speed Brother

Sergeant Patrick Hanson
Fresno County Sheriff's Office

February 28, 2010

God Bless you sir.

Rick F.
Ret. CO

February 28, 2010

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. There is no doubt that in your 12 years of service you touched the lives of many, and made Fresno County a safer place. Your Wife and Children as well as the rest of your Family, Friends and the Fresno County Sheriffs Dept will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

Rest in peace Deputy.

J Clendening #407
Glades County Sheriffs Office (FL)

February 28, 2010

Thank-you for your service. Rest in Peace.

Lt. Stephen A. Joy
Prince George's County Police Department, Maryland

February 27, 2010

Rest in peace Deputy Wahlenmaier. Your service and dedication will not be forgotten and your fall will not be in vain. You will be remembered and those who love you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Dispatcher Alecia Epperson
Campbell County Consolidated Dispatch, Newport KY

February 27, 2010

To the family/friends and co-workers of Deputy Sheriff Joel Wahlenmaier. I am saddened by the death of your loved one and wish it wasn't so. I'm in shock over this matter and all like it. Your loved one bravely went to this dangerous call and was struck down by a criminal's violence. May the memory of Joel Wahlenmaier be sweet, his work not forgotten and fruitful. May he forever be remembered for his duty and bravery in protecting others. God Bless his life and yours.

Sgt Scott Bodah
Syracuse, New York Police Department

February 27, 2010

Rest In Peace Brave One.

D.L Johansen
Retired Law Enforcement.

February 27, 2010

Rest in Peace Sir..........

Officer Thomas Wiederhold #1890
Fort Worth Texas PD

February 27, 2010

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

PROVINCIAL CONSTABLE MARTY LALONDE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE

February 27, 2010

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

BL Mitchell, Patrol
FCPD, VA

February 27, 2010

Rest in peace bro', we'll take it from here.

PO JA Bottillo
Troy NY PD

February 27, 2010

Thank you for your bravery, sacrifice and service to our great nation. You will always be our HERO and we will never forget what you gave up. Justice has already been served. May you arrive in Heaven on the wings of Angels. God Bless and Godspeed.

Lisa
GEORGIA CIVILIAN

February 27, 2010