Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO! May God
Give the family and friends the strength and faith to deal with this tragic loss. Words can not express my sorrow!

"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

This may be re-posted in the Honor of his death and the death of any Law Enforcement Officer!

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

April 15, 2013

Thank you Mrs. Peggy for protecting us and for your years of service to law enforcement. My heart goes out to the family at this time. I lost my dad in August 2007. His name was David Richard, Port Barre Police Chief. I am sure they knew each other by reading the years of service she had in law enforcement. Just wanted you to know that you are never alone. If you need to talk, I will be here when you need. God Speed Officer Sylvester and forever watch over you family. Oh, and tell my dad I said hello and will see you soon!

Lainey Richard Estis
Port Barre, LA

April 15, 2013

Warden Sylvester, may you rest in peace. You'll never be forgotten.

Sgt Richard Eckert
Town of Chester Police Dept

April 15, 2013

Rest In Peace and Godspeed Assistant Warden Sylester! My deepest condolences and prayers go out to her family, friends, and Department.

Deputy Michael Matranga
Orange County Sheriff's Department
Lake Forest Police Services

April 15, 2013

A police officer should be remembered not by how she died, but how she lived! A great woman has gone to secure a safe path for the rest of us to follow. Thank you to you, your family and the Opelousas Police Department. Our country is a little less safe without you. Rest in Peace Sister.

Anonymous

April 15, 2013

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and coworkers during this difficult time. Your service and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Supervisory FAM, Thomas Kelly Jr.
Federal Air Marshal Service

April 15, 2013

As you departed the bonds of this earth and touched the face of God, know that the service and dedication you had for your department, its fellow officers and the citizens of your community will never be forgotten. May God comfort in this time of sorrow your family, your fellow officers and all those whose lives you have touched. You have served your time in hell, now rest comfortably in the arms of God. RIP, we’ll take it from here.

Interim Chief James W. Moore
Gardner, KS Police Department

April 15, 2013

My heartfelt condolences go out to Assisant Warden Sylvester's family, friends and co-workers. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.

Ms. Gina Miller
Washington State Patrol
Fiance of Trooper Tony V. Radulescu
EOW 2-23-2012

April 15, 2013

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. REST IN PEACE.

POLICE OFFICER
NAPERVILLE IL POLICE DEPARTMENT

April 15, 2013

Thank you for your service Assistant Warden Sylvester. You will never be forgotten. Rest in peace...

Chief Joseph A. Edwards
Columbia Police Department, IL

April 15, 2013

RIP Sister of the Badge, God Bless your Family, Friends and Department.

Bob Reed
Retired Police Officer

April 15, 2013

My sister I will miss you dearly I will never forget the last person you booked for me and those last words of, "See you tomorrow." RIP (Ms. Peggy) as we all called you.

P.O. Romalis Curtis
Opelousas Police Department

April 15, 2013

Rest in Peace...

Detective
Syracuse Police Dept, NY

April 15, 2013

The Florida Police Chiefs Association would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Assistant Warden Peggy Sylvester, and the Opelousas Police Department. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of great sadness. Please take comfort in knowing that your extended law enforcement family grieves with you. Warden Sylvester, we thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten.

Members and Staff
The Florida Police Chiefs Association

April 15, 2013

Avenue of the Fallen

Standing at attention in their class “A“ uniforms, badges gleaming and shoes like glass, are your brothers and sisters of Law Enforcement. All of whom have previously paid the ultimate price.
Today, like many others, they welcome you to this wonderful place. As you march down the Avenue of the Fallen, all eyes focus on you as if to say its ok you’re with your eternal partners. A salute is followed and a tear can be seen on so many faces.
Welcome, you served well.
Now come join us in the ranks, another is coming home.

A brother law enforcement officer
12-25-2010

Sheriff Jim Weaver (Ret.) LAPD (Ret.)
Jerome County, Idaho (Ret.)

April 15, 2013

Rest In Peace Assistant Warden Sylvester. Our deepest heartfelt condolences to all of your family, friends, and brothers and sisters at Opelousas Police Department.

Postal Inspector Scott Horne
US Postal Inspection Service

April 15, 2013

Thank you A/W Sylvester for your years of hard work and dedication and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the fine folks in the great state of Louisiana. You are a true AMERICAN HERO !!!!!!

My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and co-workers. May you forever, rest in peace, my sister.

HEROES NEVER DIE...

Sgt. Mitch Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

April 15, 2013

May you rest in Peace.

Gavin F. Price II ( retired )
Escambia county sheriffs dept

April 15, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with Assistant Warden Peggy Sylvester's family and everyone at the Opelousas Police Department. Rest in peace my sister.

Officer Joe Hoyer
Green Bay Police Department

April 15, 2013

Rest in peace Sister Peggy.

Ofc Timothy M Furlong
Nahant MA PD

April 15, 2013

Expressing deepest sympathy to Family, Co-workers and Friends, and hoping you all find comfort in knowing we care and are near in thought.

Rita Rocker, Director
Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles

April 15, 2013

Rest in peace, Assistant Warden Sylvester. Thank you for your dedicated service to your community. Your ultimate sacrifice and that of your family will not be forgotten. Prayers for your family, friends, Opelousas PD and many law enforcement brothers & sisters. Godspeed and God Bless, Hero.

Kathy B.
Grateful Citizen

April 15, 2013

May the good lord welcome you with open arms, for you have done your job well

Reserve Deputy Douglas J. Maykowski
Macomb County Sheriff Mt. Clemens Michigan

April 15, 2013

Rest in peace Warden Sylvester!
You will not be forgotten!

Willie Bell Hopewell VA!
Friend Of All Law Enforcement Officers!

April 15, 2013

Warden Sylvester rest in peac. My sincere condolences to your family and to your department. Godspeed as you now patrol the streets of gold.

OFC TERRY F. ZECH
VETERAN AFFAIRS POLICE , DETROIT, MICHIGAN

April 15, 2013