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 BMI © 1993 - All Rights Reserved

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

August 18, 2014

May the family's fond memories help them through this difficult time.

Terry L. Vice
Patrol Officer (1979-1984)
Greeley PD
Colorado

August 18, 2014

RIP Brother. Thank you for what you have given. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family & friends and Butler County Sheriff's Office. God Bless.

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

August 18, 2014

RIP Brother

Deputy Anita Price
Bexar County Sheriff's Office, San Antonio, Texas

August 18, 2014

Rest In Peace Sheriff!! My condolences to your Family and the Butler County Sheriff's Office.

Sgt Fred Nordt Jr.
Lake Success PD, Long Island, NY

August 18, 2014

Rest in eternal peace, Sheriff Hecker, for we have the watch now. Your family and your brothers and sisters in uniform, our brothers and sisters, too, are in our thoughts and prayers. May they find comfort in remembrances of your dedication and service.

Deputy Warden Patricia Powers
Philadelphia Prison System

August 18, 2014

Rest in peace Sheriff Hecker, my brother in blue.

Police Officer II D. Vaquero
San Diego Police Department

August 18, 2014

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. My condolences to your family, friends and coworkers of the Butler County Sheriff's Office. May you rest in peace.

Ptlm. William F. Shields
Federal Reserve Police/Philadelphia - Retired/Haverford Police

August 18, 2014

So saddened to hear the news.

May you rest in peace after having served those around you. My thoughts are with you, your family, fellow officers and friends.

Reserve Officer G. Krystof
Los Angeles Police Department

August 18, 2014

Thank you for your long and dedicated career in law enforcement. We pray for God's peace and comfort to sustain each of those left to cherish your memory.

Darlene Newton
friend of Story County Sheriff's Office

August 18, 2014

Rest in peace brother.

Sgt. Jim

August 18, 2014

God Bless you. May the good Lord above cradle you in His arms, and may you Rest in Peace my Brother in Blue. I offer my prayers and sympathies to each and every one of your family members, friends, and co-workers. Rest easy Sir.

Chris Walley
Former Jail Officer/Deputy Wayne Co. Mississippi Sheriffs Department

August 18, 2014

Rest in peace sir, we have the watch now. Your tour is complete but your memory will last forever. Thank you for your many years of service. Prayers for the blessings of God on the family, friends, and co-workers of Sheriff Hecker during this time of tragic loss.

God bless the peacemakers.

Senior Patrolman Donnie Meaders
Wewoka (OK) Police Department

August 18, 2014

A final salute officer. May God keep you and grant you eternal rest.

Marshal B. Tindle
City Of Killeen Marshals Office

August 18, 2014

Rest In Peace Brother

Captain Steve Yancey
Forest Hill Police Department, TX

August 18, 2014

Rest in peace Brother....My thoughts are with your family, friends, and the members of the BCSO during this most difficult and tragic time....

Lt. Joseph Ward, Ret.
Jackson, NJ PD

August 18, 2014

peace be with you and your many loved ones

jennifer phillips
widow of Sgt Ron Phillips

August 18, 2014

Sheriff Hecker,

Rest well in the arms of God.

To Your Family,

Feel His presence as God answers the prayers of many who have fallen to their knees on your behalf. Since the day of my son's death, I have carried every law enforcement officer and their family in my heart.

Every morning I go to my knees. During that time I pray:

“Lord, Be with all law enforcement officers. Keep them safe and free from harm. They are Your soldiers on the front line of the battle against evil. If one should fall this day - wrap their family in your loving arms. Surround them with Your angels, loving family, friends, neighbors and caring people to comfort them. Ease their pain. Help them to mourn well. In Jesus' name and for Your Glory, Amen.”

I have lifted you and your family to God every morning for over three years. Feel those prayers. God is with you; He knows and will ease your pain.

Our faith helps us to see beyond the grave.

Pamela Hotsinpiller
Mother of
Deputy United States Marshal
Derek W. Hotsinpiller
EOW 2-16-2011

August 18, 2014

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You are a Hero Sheriff Hecker. 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

August 18, 2014

Rest In Peace!

Lt. John Fortune (Retired)
Panama City Police Department, FL

August 18, 2014

Thank you for your example. At this critical time in our country, it's especially important to eschew the abounding ignorance, embrace the facts, and remember those who give the last full measure of devotion to community, state, and country.

Jamie Hurd
Former Officer - SPD, Utah

August 18, 2014

RIP and thank you for your service. My thoughts and prayers to your family and friends!

citizen

August 18, 2014

RIP, Brother. Thank you for your long service to the citizens of your stsate. May God give stregnth and comfort to the immediate and extended families. Tragic loss.

Chaplain Paul Worley
San Antonio, Texas PD

August 18, 2014

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 H. Kelly Jr.
Federal Air Marshal Service

August 18, 2014

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF SHERIFF HECKLER, AND ALL THOSE WHO MOURN THE LOSS OF SHERIFF HECKER .
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
HIS SERVICE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND HIS DEEDS NEVER FORGOTTEN.
GOD BLESS

Ret PO David Herbert
Toronto Police Service, Ontario Canada

August 18, 2014