Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace CO Bettis. My sincere condolences to your family and to your department. God speed as you now patrol the streets of gold. Your service will not be forgotten brother.

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

September 19, 2016

"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 © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

September 19, 2016

TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES OF ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, CORRECTIONAL OFFICER KENNETH BETTIS.

My heart is filled with great sadness at learning of the lost of your loved one and fellow Correctional Officer.
We in the law enforcement community are a family, although our uniforms may be a different style and vary in color, a badge, shield or star may be pinned upon our chest.
Our areas of enforcement may vary but our goals are the same, to Serve and Protect our communities. We consist of many different agencies from across the nation, for we are: Municipal Police Officers, Sheriff's Deputies, State Police Investigators, State Highway Patrol Troopers, Conservation Police Officers, College Campus Police Officers, Correctional Officers and Federal Agents just to name a few.
We patrol small towns, large cities, college campuses, county roads, state highways, state prisons, county jails, state parks and the United States Borders.
Whether active duty or retired, we are one family, a Law Enforcement Family, the thin blue line of protectors, brothers and sisters bonded together by HONOR, SERVICE and PRIDE.
Daily we honor our fallen brothers and sisters never forgetting their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their families.
Daily our position is clear that we will Serve and Protect our communities without faltering and with no hesitation.
Daily we show pride in our chosen profession LAW ENFORCEMENT, for we willingly walk the line of good over evil facing the unknown with courage keeping our trust and our faith in GOD.
We know that evil roam these streets and at any moment in the course of performing our duties the ultimate sacrifice might be required of us in the service to our community, for Law Enforcement is not a job but a calling and only a few will make the decision to commit to that calling to serve for some will give all that they have.
ALL LIVES MATTER - LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SHOULD BE RESPECTED - If we don't respond to that call for help, or investigate that suspicious subject(s), or stop for that stranded motorist, or rush to that call of shots fired then who will?
Correctional Officer Bettis
You did not die in vain.
You sacrificed your life in the service to the citizens of the State of Alabama with HONOR, PRIDE and DISTINCTION.
I'm proud to have worn the uniform of a law enforcement officer like you did.
I'm proud to have pinned the badge upon my chest like you did.
I'm proud to have Served and Protected my community as you did.
I'm proud to call you my BROTHER!
I commend you my fallen brother for making the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of your duty.
For you left us doing what you chose to do.
Performing a job you were trained to do.
Upholding the oath you swore to do.
Most importantly doing what you loved to do..........Serving and Protecting your community Honor and Pride making a better and safer place for us all.
FOR THOSE WHO FIGHT FOR IT, "LIFE HAS A FLAVOR THE PROTECTED WILL NEVER KNOW".
FINAL CALL
Officer Bettis status..............Officer Bettis status.............. Officer Bettis status............Attention All Units.................. Alabama Department Of Corrections, Correctional Officer Kenneth Bettis having served the citizens of the State of Alabama with HONOR, PRIDE and DISTINCTION is now 10-42.
Rest in Peace my fallen BROTHER, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!!

Senior Master Investigator Cardell L. Dobbins #188 (Ret.)
Illinois Secretary of State Department of Police District 01, Region 01

September 19, 2016

To my brothers and sisters who work in prisons throughout the beautiful state of Alabama, I send my love and deepest sympathy. You do not walk alone in your grief. We have your back. We are all around you to help you remain strong in your darkest hour.

Sergeant Craig Young
Okaloosa Correctional Inst. Fla. DOC

September 19, 2016

A real "Hero" taken.
You helped make this world a safer place to live.
May God grant you eternal peace.
Prayers to your loved ones and to your department.

Det. Billy Russo (Ret.)
Nassau County Police Dept, NY

September 19, 2016

RIP brother

Matthew Roman, SGT
Nevada Dept of Corrections - Training

September 19, 2016

Rest in Peace My Brother LEO. Evil will never prosper as long as Brave Men such as yourself stand for good.

"Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be Called Sons of God."
Matthew 5:9

A/ Sergeant D. Vaquero
San Diego Police Department

September 19, 2016

Correctional officers are surrounded by felons every minute of their shift. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, co-workers, and friends. As a spouse of a Correctional Sergeant with the Alabama Department of Corrections, this hits home.... close.

Jeremy R. Abbott
Department of the Air Force (DAFC)

September 19, 2016

BROTHER WE WILL SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE WHERE THE STREETS ARE PAVED WITH GOLD .THE PEACE KEEPERS HAVE A HOME IN HEAVEN BY THE KING .SO REST EASY MY BROTHER AND SAVE A PLACE FOR ME.GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY DOWN HERE .

PATRICIA TORRES JAIL CLERK
DESOTO COUNTY SHERIFFS ARCADIA FL.

September 19, 2016

Prayers for Comfort and Peace. RIP Hero. Not only did you serve your Country well, We respect and admire your courageous walk behind the Wall. God Bless you, your colleagues and all your love ones.

Esther Symonds Deputy Probation Officer
Los Angeles County Probation Department

September 19, 2016

My sincere thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and Department of Officer Bettis. I am so very sorry for your loss.
May God Bless you and keep you and may he give you comfort and peace during this difficult time.

Thank you for your dedicated, loyal and selfless service to your country and community Officer Bettis. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Gone but NEVER Forgotten, HERO's live FOREVER...

Gina Miller, Washington State Patrol
Surviving Fiance WSP Trooper Tony V. Radulescu EOW 2-23-2012

September 19, 2016

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

POLICE OFFICER
NAPERVILLE POLICE DEPT

September 19, 2016

On behalf or our staff in the Missouri Department of Corrections, we offer our sincere and heartfelt sympathy and empathy for the family of Officer Bettis, his friends, and all our colleagues in the Alabama Department of Corrections.
We all grieve for him and recognize that he and the Correctional Cadre of Alabama and across this country are the Unsung Heroes of the Criminal Justice system. Rest in Peace Officer Bettis.

George Lombardi - Director, Missouri DOC
Missouri Department of Corrections

September 19, 2016

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

ASAC, Thomas H. Kelly Jr.
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 19, 2016

Rest in peace Brother.

Lt. Arrend Hoopes
Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office Va.

September 19, 2016

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of C.O. Bettis and the Alabama Department of Corrections. May God Bless the Alabama Department of Corrections and all Law Enforcement. RIP Brother.

Deputy Fred Parker
Putnam County Sheriff's Dept., TN.

September 19, 2016

RIP Officer Bettis. Thank you for your service to the Alabama DOC and the USA National Guard.
May God bless you and your family. Your fellow DOC/LEO will continue the fight.

Dave Garcia Training Manager
Montana Department of Corrections

September 19, 2016

Rest in peace Correctional Officer Bettis. I ask Our Heavenly Father to comfort and watch over your family, friends and the Alabama Department of Corrections. Thank you for your service. God's speed brother.

Chief Jack Cavanaugh
Lee County Port Authority Police Department

September 19, 2016

Rest in Peace, Sir. thank you for all your services. condolences to Family and Friends, along with fellow L.E.O.'s

SMSGT Robert Lindsey
Fellow American

September 19, 2016

RIP My BROTHER.

Deputy Sheriff Calix Ancion
Seminole County Sheriff's Office

September 18, 2016

Rest in peace brother, we've got the watch from here.

Senior Officer Specialist
Federal Bureau of Prisons

September 18, 2016

God rest his soul.

Sgt. Robert A. Henne
Jersey City PD/Retired

September 18, 2016

Rest in Peace

1st Lt. Stephen A. Joy#980 (Retired)
Prince George's County Police Department, Maryland

September 18, 2016

Rest in peace brother and thank you for your service. As you join our brothers and sisters in the hall of heroes, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Vires et Honorem

PTLM Frank Kapusta
Moahwk Police Department

September 18, 2016

My gosh.... RIP Sir..... Much love and support to friends and family of Blue and Blood. "Rest easy, we've got it from here."

Nancy Richards
Aux. LEO (ret), Michigan, USA

September 18, 2016