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 whose 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 (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

March 14, 2011

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

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

March 14, 2011

RIP Officer William Ezra Stiltner.My deepest sympathys to family and fellow Officers.

Christina Brookhart
Mother of Deputy Don McCutcheon EOW 2/8/2010

March 14, 2011

Rest in Peace Deputy Stiltner! God's Speed!

Deputy
Fresno County Sheriff's Office, California

March 14, 2011

My deepest sympathies to the family of Deputy Stiltner and to his Sheriff Department family. I'm so sorry.

Officer-ret. Paula Forest
Charlotte Mecklenburg PD

March 14, 2011

Thank you Deputy Stiltner for your service and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the fine folks in Buchanan County. My condolences to your family, friends and co-workers....You are a true AMERICAN HERO !!!! May you forever, rest in peace...

Mitch Cheselka
Sergeant, CA/OR Retired

March 14, 2011

RIP brother.

Q132
LEO

March 14, 2011

God Bless you and your family, department and community. Thank you for your service and bravery.

Sergeant Ronnie W. Miller
Chilhowie Police Department

March 14, 2011

My family would like to send our condolences to the family, friends, and fellow co-workers of Deputy Sheriff William Stiltner~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, Deputy Sheriff Stiltner.

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

March 14, 2011

The officers and staff of the Chestertown Police Department offer our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and fellow officers of Deputy William Ezra Stiltner. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May you rest in peace Willian.

Pfc. Brett Lysinger
Chestertown Maryland Police Department

March 14, 2011

my deepest sympathy!

marshal greg woodruff
tolland county marshal

March 14, 2011

A great man has gone to secure a safe path for the rest of us to follow. Thank you to you, your family and the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department. Rest in Peace Brother.

Chief Steve Marshall
Washington, NH. Police Dept

March 14, 2011

Your story tears a hole in our soul. Your sacrifice leaves us with a heavy heart. We cannot begin to repay you but we shall not forget. Rest easy brother, your work here is done.

Davis B.

March 14, 2011

Deputy Sheriff William Ezra Stiltner.. Your watch has ended and you served your community with pride and integrity. Our prayers are with you and your family... Rest In Peace my brother

Det. Dave Kelter (retired)
Teaneck N.J.

March 14, 2011

I had just gotten done leaving a reflection for another officer killed just a day ago. I go back to my inbox and here we go again. Words just cannot express the sadness and heartbreak. I know all too well how it feels to have someone taken from you in an instant. May your family somehow get thru this. I salute you, Sir. Godspeed.....Again, I am so very sorry

Lisa from Western Mass
A caring supporter and friend of all law enforcement

March 14, 2011

Rest in peace, Deputy Stiltner. Thank you for your service to your community. Your sacrifice and that of your family will not be forgotten. Prayers for your family, friends, and law enforcement brothers & sisters. Special prayers for your BCSO family. Godspeed, Hero.

Kathy B
Citizen

March 14, 2011

Deputy Stiltner,
Rest in peace brother.

Detective Dave Howell
Plano,Texas Police Dept-Auto Theft

March 14, 2011

Go rest high my Brother,your service here is complete, you will be missed. God Bless You.

Sgt. Alan Morgan
Smyth County Sheriff's Office

March 14, 2011

Rest, brother.

Cpl Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

March 14, 2011

God bless Deputy Sheriff William Stiltner for his ultimate sacrifice in protecting us. God bless his family and god rest his soul. I am so sorry and upset to learn of these deaths. Sad sad day for Virgina and all of America.

citizen, Fabrice Vincent
private citizen

March 14, 2011

From the men and women of the LAPD, our sincere condolences to the men and women of the Buchanan County Sheriff's Dept for this double tragedy. RIP Deputy Stiltner, your dedication, heroism and service will never be forgotten.

Sgt D. Bowler
Los Angeles Police Department

March 14, 2011

RIP Sir. Yourself and Deputy Justus are heroes. Now that you are gone from this Earth, may you continue to patrol the streets of heaven. Thank you for your service.

Thankful Citizen

March 14, 2011

We would like to send our warmest regards and deepest condolences to the family, friends and department of Deputy William Stiltner. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult and sad time. Rest in Peace, Deputy Stiltner and thank you for your service.

Wives Behind The Badge, Inc
Members and Staff

March 14, 2011