Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy

S. I. Dake, Lt./IPD (Ret)
Indianapolis Police

March 31, 2014

“Marines”

You can have your Army Kakiis,
And your Navy Blues,
But here’s a different fighting man,
I’ll introduce to you.
His uniform is unlike,
Any you’ve ever seen,
The Germans called him “Devil Dog”,
His title is “Marine”.

He was trained in Parris Island,
The place that God forgot,
The sand was fourteen inches deep,
The sun was blazing hot.
He awakened up one morning,
In front of his rack he’ll stand,
And in through the doorway walked,
A giant of a man.

He turned and faced this young Marine,
With eyes as cold as steel,
He said, “I am your DI,
And this is for real.
I’ll make your life as miserable,
As miserable as I can,
And when you finally leave this place,
You’ll be a fighting man.
You’ll be a rifle expert,
You’ll know your weapon well,
And when you encounter the Viet Cong,
You’ll send their souls to Hell.

Now gather around you young Marines,
And lend me all your ears,
And I’ll tell you of a few things,
We’ve conquered through the years,
We fought at Iwo Jima,
The land of fire and Hell,
We killed all those Japanese,
And took their land as well.

Now you can tell your ladies,
And this my Lad is true,
To get herself a young “Marine”,
There is nothing he can’t do.
He’s peeled a million onions,
And twice as many spuds,
Then you’ll find him in the slop chutes,
A soaking up the suds.

And when he gets to Heaven,
St.Peter he will tell,
Another “Marine” reporting Sir.
I’ve served my time in Hell.

Written and copyright by: David Lee Bell
1968
USMC 1968-1971
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1968 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

March 31, 2014

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

March 31, 2014

Rest in peace Ofc Thalmann. My sincere condolences to your family and to your department. Godspeed as you now patrol the streets of gold. Your service will not be forgotten.

OFC TERRY F. ZECH(RET)
VETERAN AFFAIRS POLICE DEPT, DETROIT, MICHIGAN

March 31, 2014

"The Final Inspection"
The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep....
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't.....I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."
Author Unknown

Sergeant Chad Miner
Powell PD, WY

March 31, 2014

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

March 31, 2014

RIP my brother. Take your place of honor. We will take it from here...

Sgt
Phoenix Police Dept

March 31, 2014

Rest with God Officer Thalmann. Your devotion, dedication, and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. Prayers for your family (personal and department) during this time in their lives,

retired Police Officer Bob Lester
Midland Texas Police Department

March 31, 2014

Alex I am blessed for having known you. Rest well brother!
You will be remembered always!

Patrolman S.Burk
Plymouth Police Department N.C./ Spring 2013 B.C.C.C B.L.E.T.

March 31, 2014

Thank you for your sacrifice Officer Thalmann.
Rest In Peace

Civilian supporter and future LEO
Lorain, Ohio

March 31, 2014

Rest in Peace Brother.

First Class Officer
Raleigh P.D.

March 31, 2014

Thank you for your time of service.
I salute you and your family.

Randalyn Benson
Survivor Daughter of Chief James Leonard Speer

March 31, 2014

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You are a Hero Officer Thalmann. Thank you for doing your job. Rest in peace Dear Brother. God bless. " HEROES LIVE FOREVER"

CATHERINE A. GARIBAY SANCHEZ
SURVIVING SISTER of DEPUTY SHERIFF
STEVEN GARIBAY EOW 2/10/1987

March 31, 2014

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the friends and family of Officer Thalmann. We would like to thank Officer Alexander Thalmann for his service to our country and to law enforcement. May he rest in peace.

Zone Five Academy Session 56
New York State Zone Five Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy

March 31, 2014

May God rest his soul and comfort his families, immediate and blue. Semper Fi, Brother. I know you guard the streets of heaven with many other heroes who have gone before. May His peace be yours.

Chaplain Paul Worley
San Antonio, Texas Police Department

March 31, 2014

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 “it’s 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.
Officer Jim Weaver (#11452), Los Angeles Police Department retired
12-25-2010

Sheriff Jim Weaver (Retired)
Jerome County, Idaho

March 31, 2014

Rest in peace.

Sgt. Jim

March 31, 2014

Semper Fi, you lived the dream, protecting and serving. RIP

SPC Paul Jenkins
Britsh Police, UK

March 31, 2014

Godspeed Officer Thalman...

Sgt. Dan Lamont
Pamlico Co. Sheriff's Ofc (Ret)

March 31, 2014

Rest In Peace Brother.

Det. Andreoli
NYPD

March 31, 2014

REST IN PEACE BROTHER. YOU ARE A TRUE HERO.

Deputy J.D.Davis
Pittsylvania County Sheriff's office

March 31, 2014

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Rest In Peace Officer Thalmann. Our deepest heartfelt condolences to all of your family, friends, and brothers and sisters at New Bern Police Department.

Scott Horne U.S. Postal Inspector
US Postal Inspection Service

March 31, 2014

RIP Officer Thalmann, you are a true American hero and you left this world way too young. You did exactly as you were trained to do and you were a brave young man. Your mom, your family & your friends should be extremely proud of you. In addition to being a great police officer & Marine, you were a great young man who was loved by many. May you rest in peace and watch over all of your brothers & sisters in uniform now!

Julianne Harris

March 31, 2014

Rest in peace brother.

Police Officer
NYPD

March 31, 2014

Thoughts and prayers to Officer Thalmann, his family and his brothers and sisters of the New Bern PD. Thank you for your service.

Ofc. F.M. Finch, ECU PD
Greenville, NC

March 31, 2014