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

June 27, 2011

Our deepest condolences to the Curley family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you through this heartbreaking time. Darrell was a kind and good hearted man. We will remember him in our minds and our hearts. Although, it is difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, but may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow and the days ahead. He will be missed.

Eddie/Bert Halwood
Navajo Nation Police Dept.

June 27, 2011

Brother Curley, thank-you for your dedication & service to our Navajo Nation Police Dept. Its sad that a death finally wakens us to realize the danger you all face when you respond to a call. You have definiately shown us great courage & detemination to protect our people. The lord called you back at this time since your work was fulfilled upon this earth. Our hearts are sadden whether we knew or not and our prayers are with your faimly at this difficult time! God Be With You Til We See You again!

C. Begay

June 27, 2011

Your friendship and your leadership will be greatly missed sgt.-within the Navajo Division of Public Safety, Navajo Department of Law Enforcement-Navajo Police Training Academy-Toyei, Arizona...We love you, Sgt.!

Janice Mitchell-Senior Office Specialist
Navajo Police Training Academy-Toyei, Arizona

June 27, 2011

25 years of service; what a tragic loss for us all. Prayers and sympathies to his family who has supported and sacrificed so he could do the job all those years. Same to his law enforcement brothers and sisters - my thoughts are with you too; take care of yourselves.

J. Cole
Glendale, AZ

June 27, 2011

First of all to the family of Sergeant Darrell Curley: I am sorry for your lost of a loved one.
Second To the Tuba City Police Department: I know you are trying hard to find the person who is capable of this selfish thing. My heart is with you guys. I pray for your safety and wish the best amongst the whole Navajo Nation Police Department.
Third of all To Sergeant Darrell Curley: Thank You for serving the Navajo Nation. You are my hero. May you Rest In Peace.

Citizen
A proud supporter of all Law Officers

June 27, 2011

Thank you SGT for all you have done. We well keep moving forward, and that means you well also keep moving forward. As long as Navajo Police are around you well be also, but you now have the duty of keeping heaven safe... RIP..

Crownpoint Police
Navajo Nation Police Department

June 27, 2011

My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and fellow officers of Sergeant Darrell Curley. R.I.P. sir.

Citizen
Citizen

June 27, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Sergeant Curley during this difficult time.. Rest in Peace Sir..

Joyce
Sister of Ofc. John P Harris EOW 8/19/1994

June 27, 2011

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K. Murphy
Union PD,NJ

June 27, 2011

Sgt. Curley, I thank you over and over for the many times that you shared your words of wisdom, support and encouragement to myself throughout the years. Each time that we made contact with one another, you always brought a smile to my face and I would leave your presence, a better person and a better officer. The pain I feel now is too great to describe. You are a beautiful person. You are a friend that I will never ever forget. Your family is in my prayers always. Our law enforcement family is also in my prayers. May you be with the Lord and continue the "Watch" and continue to protect us throughout our days. You left us as a "Warrior" in every sense of that word. You did not give up the fight, Brother. You are a True Warrior. I am proud to have known you. Rest In Peace my Friend and Brother.

CI S. Yazzie
Navajo Police Window Rock District

June 27, 2011

Rest in peace Sgt Curley. We'll take it from here and continue the fight.

Sgt Troy Castillo
Palm Springs Police Department, Ca

June 27, 2011

God's peace and speed Sergeant Curley. Thank you for your many years of brave, dedicated service. RIP brother.

P/O R. Popelka #7903
Chicago PD

June 27, 2011

God bless, and be with those left behind. Rest easy my Brother in Law, your watch on this earth is now over.......

Sgt. John L. Gulledge (Ret.)
Escambia County FL. Sheriffs Office

June 27, 2011

Sergeant Curley,
Rest in peace brother.

Detective Dave Howell
Plano,Texas Police Dept-Auto Theft

June 27, 2011

Chief Strzelecki and the entire Niles Police Department extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Sergeant Curley. Godspeed.

Niles, Illinois Police Department

June 27, 2011

Our deepest condelences to Sgt. Curley, his family, his relatives, clan, and his fellow officers of the NDLE. May the Great Creator see you through this difficult time. Sgt. Curley is now an Angel, keeping watch still. He served honorably and with compassion. Thank you to his family for sharing him. May the Lord strengthen each of you, especially to those who "serve and protect"!!

Citzen
Chinle

June 27, 2011

While we are all aware that the shield can exact a heavy price, it is not for personal or material gain that we wear it. It is out of empathy and compassion for our nation and its citizens that we respond to the need. I know you understood this well my friend and you never faltered in your dedication and commitment as your duties took you across this great beautiful nation we call home.

My heart is heavy now my brother, your departure has left a void that is felt by all who knew you, loved you, and appreciated you. I thank you for your service to the Navajo Nation and I thank your family for sharing you with us.

The watch is over for you my brother, may the Lord Jesus Christ receive you and grant you rest. You will never be forgotten. We will maintain the watch by your example.

Lieutenant
Navajo Nation Police Criminal Investigations

June 27, 2011

It has been an honor to have known & worked with Sergeant Darrell Curley...he truly was unselfishing giving & compassionate person---always willing to lend a shoulder and his famous words..."JUST DO YOUR BEST". Our Navajo Law Enforcement dept has lost da finest & greatest, we will forever miss you my friend. Thank you for the time, memories and most of all that you have done for the world, we will forever cherish.
TO ALL THAT REMEMBERED US TODAY: Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers to our Tuba City (AZ) Navajo Law Enforcement Dept and the families of Sgt Curley. We will have tougher days ahead but we will find strength thru your words....THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONDOLENCES ON BEHALF OF THE TC Navajo Police Dept & the great Navajo Nation. Stay safe and continue to pray for us...

Navajo Law Enforcement Dept,

Mary Begay, Admin Assistant
Tuba City Police District/Navajo Law Enforcement

June 27, 2011

I was so sadden to hear of the death of SGT. Curley and my heart has been heavy since. I met him soon after I came to Page. He was always very supportive of our program and was instrumental in getting the Emergency Mobil Response Team started on the Nation. He always believed in our mission and was helpful in every way. I think he was an officer’s officer. But more importantly, he was a kind and decent man with a good heart. I think he touch a lot of people…I know he touch me. The world is lessened by his death but better off that he lived among us.
Our prayers are with his family.

Katherine Reusing, Execuive Director
Page Regional Domestic Violence Services

June 27, 2011

Rest in peace, brother.

Officer R. Law
Rocklin PD

June 27, 2011

REST IN PEACE BROTHER. YOU ARE A TRUE HERO.

Deputy J.D.Davis
Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office

June 27, 2011

Our deepest sympathies to the Curley family, our prayers are with you in this difficult time.

The Family Hoskie Gene Jr.

June 27, 2011

My prayers and blessings to your family for their loss. Rest in Peace.

Elaine M.
BIA, OJS, Southern Pueblos Agency

June 27, 2011

Rest in peace brother.

Det. James P. McGrath(retired)
Schenectady Police Dept., NY

June 27, 2011