Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

"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

November 2, 2016

My prayers to the family and may he RIP. I pass that all the time closing my house down for the winter and had to stop and say a prayer for my brother in blue.

Det. Frank Salamone (ret)
NYPD

November 2, 2016

Rest in peace my brother in blue. I will say a prayer for you, and extend my condolences to your loving family, members of your entire department, and all your friends that will always know that you are a true hero.

N.Y.P.D. Lt. Ray Flores (Ret.)

November 2, 2016

R.I.P. BROTHER Pratt!!!

Nebraska Police Officer

November 1, 2016

Thank you Tpr Pratt for a job well done. May GOD Bless you and your family. R.I.P.

CPSO Edie Sommer (retired)
Fl. DOC

November 1, 2016

Rest In Peace brother we got from here. My prayers go out to your family and Department .

Sergeant George Gazzola
Black Hills Patrol

November 1, 2016

Rest in peace brother. May Yahweh give your family and friends peace.

Retired Chief Jim Spratlen
Durango Police Department

November 1, 2016

To the family of Trooper Timothy Pratt, friends, Superintendent George P. Beach II and the New York State Police.
You are lifted up in thoughts and prayers. May God comfort, hold you close and give you peace now and always. Thank you for your service to our Nation and to the people of NY. John 15:13 / Matthew 5:9

Patrolman A.S.Batson
Cherry-Oberry Police Department, NC

November 1, 2016

Rest in peace brother. You are a true hero.

Jamie Davis
Pittsylvania County sheriff's office

November 1, 2016

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Rest In Peace Trooper Pratt. Our deepest heartfelt condolences to all of your family, friends, and brothers and sisters at New York State Police.

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

October 31, 2016

Rest in peace brother. Thank you for your service and dedication.

Cpl. M. Davis #2614
Prince George's County Police

October 31, 2016

Trooper Pratt you have left a huge hole in our hearts, but you left a huge positive mark to all you have touched , RIP till we meet again, huge respect and love forever sir

Sgt James Anoe
G4S Albany NY

October 30, 2016

Rest in Peace Trooper Timothy P. Pratt. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice.

I Pray for Peace for your Family, Friends and Co-Workers. I also Pray that the scum who killed you be forever tormented by the hounds of hell whilst his sorry soul burns forever in the pit of fire. May his days on this earth be plagued with immense pain and agony.

Amen.

Barry Sherwood Sr. Special Agent Retired
Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston, TX

October 30, 2016

"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 Wyoming Police Department

October 30, 2016

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.”

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.

I have lifted you and your family to God every morning for over five 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

October 30, 2016

God Bless You, Your Family, & Friends. Thank you for your unselfish service.

James P. Waggle
Civilian

October 30, 2016

Rest in peace Trooper Pratt. 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.

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

October 30, 2016

Rest in peace

Civilian John Corrigan
City Of LOWELL board member

October 29, 2016

RIP Sir. May God be with your Family and loved ones. Rest easy now.

Officer Steven Austin
Lawrence TWP P.D. (NJ)

October 29, 2016

Rest easy brother

Police Officer Andrew Russo
NYPD

October 29, 2016

Tim,

Thank you for being a great leader and mentor to the younger Troopers of SP Wilton. You have always been a person I looked up to. You have always been a great example of what a New York State Trooper is in your work and in your community. You will be greatly missed by your fellow Troopers and our community.

Trooper Kyle Hutter
New York State Police - Wilton

October 29, 2016

May God welcome you into paradise.

State Trooper D Osborne
Tennessee Highway Patrol

October 29, 2016

RIP, Brother. God Bless ..

Det. Carlos Selvi
Balto. Co. P.D.

October 29, 2016

My condolences to the troopers in the barracks where Trooper Pratt was assigned-absolutely heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers are with his family who's loved left for his shift and never got the chance to come home at the end of his tour. Be proud of his legacy and the honor he brought to law enforcement.

Sincerely,
Det. Sgt Heidi Mahan (ret)
Onondaga County New York

Det. Sgt Heidi Mahan (ret)
Onondaga Couny New York

October 29, 2016

God Bless you, Trooper Pratt.

Condolences to the family and friends...and his police brethren.

Thank you for your service.

Beth Bluman
Mom of NYSP Trooper

October 29, 2016