Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

RIP Brother. May the lord hold you close & give your family the strength to carry on untill you meet again at his side. God Bless.

Lt. Robert M.Petty (Ret)
North Bergen N.J.P.D.

September 1, 2013

This poem was written after getting my wife’s 19 years perspective of being a police officer’s wife.


“He Does it For You!”

He doesn’t do it for the money,
Cause surely there’s something better to do,
He says, “Someone has to do it!”
So really, he does it for you.

His eight to twelve hours is from call to call,
From a murder to a cat in a tree,
You say he’s never around when you really need him,
But without him, where would you be?

You curse him when you get a speeding ticket,
And scream there’s something better he could do,
But have you looked at how many deaths there are on the highways,
So really, he’s doing it for you.

He’s always seeing so much bad in the world,
He really doesn’t know what to do,
He wonders sometimes if it’s even worth it,
But he knows he has to do it for you.

Each day when he leaves for work,
And I always kiss him good-bye,
I don’t know if I’ll see him again,
Cause the day might be the day he dies.

So many times he comes home from work,
And I see a small tear in his eyes,
I ask him what is the problem dear?
And he says another innocent person has died.

You always say a cop isn’t human,
Cause at a tragedy he’s cool from the start,
But you don’t have to live with him,
And watch his mind and heart break apart.

I remember one hot June night at work,
His supervisor came, “Your husband’s been hurt!”, he said,
It was such a long ride to the hospital,
They wouldn’t say if he was alive or dead.

Crime is always on the increase,
The streets a battle ground,
And when one in “Blue” is slain,
At the funeral-taps will sound.

He’ll lay in a flagged draped coffin,
An honor for those who die for this land,
Just like the Army, Navy and Marines,
He died by the enemies hands.

Most ordinary citizens won’t be at the funeral,
But you’ll see plenty of people wearing blue,
You’ll see dozens of marked patrol cars,
Honoring the one who died for you.


Written by David L Bell Copyright © 1991
Retired Deputy Sheriff after over 38 years
Richland County Sheriff’s Dept
Columbia, SC

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

September 1, 2013

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

September 1, 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.)

September 1, 2013

Rest In Peace Fellow Sergeant. Know your fellow Officers will do everything possible to find your killer. Watch over them as they continue on with the watch. My condolences to your Family and the Draper Police Department.

Sgt Fred Nordt
Lake Success PD, Long Island, NY

September 1, 2013

The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
Psalms 37:39-40
God bless you and your family.
Rest in peace brother.

Sergeant Paul Schanno
State of MN Dept. of Corrections MCF-Stillwater

September 1, 2013

Rest in Peace my brother it is our watch now. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of this brave man, and with all my brothers and sisters of the Draper Police Department.

Officer B. Ruth
Baltimore County Police Department

September 1, 2013

Condolences to the family and Draper Police Dept. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn with you on this loss of an honorable Officer. "When a police officer dies, it's not an agency that loses an officer, it's an entire nation." CC ODMP Founder.

Margaret Hood (ret'd)
Citizen Watch

September 1, 2013

RIP Brother! The heart of a Hero never dies just rises to the Father.

Sgt. Richard Strain
Illinois trooper

September 1, 2013

I have laid down my life in service to all of you.
I have been a part of the fabric that has held the line between your safety and your victimization. I have given my life so that others may live in peace. I have lived my life as a dedicated member of the greatest profession. There is no greater honor.

As I now become a part of the rich history of law enforcement, please remember me always for I have left behind those who loved and depended upon me.
My partners and my agency, please remember my family, their loss, and don’t let time soften your compassion for them.

You guard the gate now and I will continue my watch from above.

MAY YOU REST IN PEACE AND MAY YOUR FAMILY FIND COMFORT IN THE GOOD YOU HAVE DONE HERE ON EARTH.

Doug Gist, Captain (ret) Washoe SO
Silver State National Peace Officers Museum, Virginia City, NV.

September 1, 2013

Derek,

You will never be forgotten, you will live forever with us and in us. We are your police family and we morn your loss.
You are an outstanding officer and you will be missed.

May the love and peace of Chirst be with your family during this difficult time.

Richard Stone
Salt Lake City Police

September 1, 2013

Sergeant Johnson and his family is in our prayers. Rest easy knowing we have the watch from here.

Officer Roy Smith III
Florida Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement

September 1, 2013

may god give you all peace and strength during this sad time. thank you for your service "sarge" and your sacrifice.

detective shawn chapa
trenton,ga p.d.

September 1, 2013

We just buried a fine man, Ofc. Jason Schneider (BCoPD) yesterday KILD Weds past. Both of these brave souls have no doubt touched the face of God. May God Bless Sgt. Johnson and the family in Blue & Blood he leaves in mourning.

Scott O Milller (former Patrolman)
Balto. Co. Police Dept.

September 1, 2013

My sincere condolences to the family.

DCSI (ret)
BK Germany XXI

September 1, 2013

God bless officer Johnson's family, his partners, and friends and give them the strength to get through this horrible ordeal. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Chief Robert R. Fresquez
Del Norte Police Dept.Del Norte co.

September 1, 2013

God be with you Sgt. Johnson. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and Draper PD. Always remembered, never forgotten.

Sgt. Greg Olney
Orem Police Department (UT)

September 1, 2013

Rest in peace Sgt. Derek Johnson. We'll take it from here!

Officer
Unified Police Dept Greater Salt Lake

September 1, 2013

Rest in peace my brother. You're a good man.

Battalion Chief Addison

September 1, 2013

God Bless the family and friends. I am so sorry for the loss.

Brenda Moeller
Just a person that wants to pray for you

September 1, 2013

God bless Sergeant Johnson's family, friends and coworkers and give them strength and peace to get through their grief and pain. Thank you for your service and sacrifice brother.

Sergeant Clark O. Parry
Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office, New York

September 1, 2013

RIP Sgt. Johnson 10-42

Det. JP McGrath(retired)
Schenectady Police Dept., NY

September 1, 2013

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

Officer Thomas Wiederhold, Retired
Fort Worth PD, Texas

September 1, 2013

May you rest in peace. My condolences to his family

Supervisory Special Agent
ICE(Retired)

September 1, 2013

May God put his loving arms around Officer Derek Johnson's family and members of his department giving them strength, courage and wisdom to get through this terrible incident.

Major(Retired)Walter R. Landrum
Bainbridge Public Safety

September 1, 2013