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

January 9, 2017

My Fallen Sister! Thank you for your service and commitment to your profession. Rest we hold the line. God Bless.

Chief of Police El Paso ISD Police Depa
El Paso ISD Police Department

January 9, 2017

God bless officer Claytons family. I know that kind of pain.

Marti Dermyer
None

January 9, 2017

My thoughts and prayers to the family and friends. RIP Hero and thank you. NF!

citizen

January 9, 2017

Rest in peace sister, we have the watch now. Thank you for your many years of service, you will not be forgotten. God bless the family of Sergeant Clayton during this time of tragic and senseless loss.

Sr. Ptmn. Donald Meaders (RET)
Wewoka (OK) P.D.

January 9, 2017

I read every entry made onto the ODMP and I thank those of you who maintain this site for the use of all of us. To come to your end of watch after enjoying what I imagine was a happy holiday for M/Sgt Clayton and her family only a week ago is particularly sad. I offer my sincerest condolences to her family, friends and all who served with her in Orlando. We in Canada think often of you folks down there and what you have had to deal with. Rest in Peace Debra, you will be missed.

Neil Thompson, S/Sgt (ret)
Vancouver Police Department (Canada)

January 9, 2017

Sgt Clayton I am heartbroken for you and your family. I pray for you and your husband and children and ask thT God give them the strength they need and that he WELCOME your with open arms to his heavenly kingdom. I also say the same for the other deputy that also made the ultimate sacrifice.

Josh Holcomb Former MP US Army

January 9, 2017

To the family, colleagues and friends of Master Sergeant Clayton: My condolences for this senseless loss. Have faith that true justice will be served!

- Allie Supporter of Law Enforcement
Wife of Corrections Deputy

January 9, 2017

My heartfelt Condolences to Your Family and Department.Thank You For Your Service.Earth Has No Sorrow That Heaven Cannot Heal. Fly High My Sister In Blue. Your Job Here On Earth is Done.

Deputy Regena Pellerin
Lafayette Parish Sheriff Dept

January 9, 2017

RIP my Sister, RIP.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

Your sacrifice was far too great.

Inv. Q. Warren
AK Spec.Prosecutions/Medicaid Fraud

January 9, 2017

Rest in Peace Master Sgt. Clayton.

Our thoughts are with your brothers and sisters in blue.

Cst. M. THOMPSON
Royal Canadian Mounted Police -Prince George, British Columbia, Canada

January 9, 2017

May you rest in peace, Sergeant.

Protective Officer J. JENNINGS
Metro Protective Services

January 9, 2017

So very sad. All the best to her family.

Retired Master Patrolman Joseph Thomas
Winter Park PD Florida

January 9, 2017

RIP SISTER DEBRA..ANOTHER SAD SAD DAY..AND PEACE TO YOUR FAMILY..MARTY MOONEY RETIRED NYPD AND SON ALEX ACTIVE NYPD..BLUE KNIGHTS XIX ROME NY/XXXII SYRACUSE NY.

Marty Mooney Detective ( retired)
NYPD

January 9, 2017

Rest well hero

Honor Guard School
HonorGuardSchool.com

January 9, 2017

RIP officer. Prayers to your blood, love and blue families.

Deputy Sheriff Nebraska 9815 Terri Van H
Rock County Sheriff's Office

January 9, 2017

May God be with the affected families, and both Orlando P.D. and the Orange County S.O. during this difficult and dangerous time.

Lieutenant Bob Parkey (retired)
Hilliard Ohio Police Department

January 9, 2017

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

Ret Officer David Herbert
Toronto Police Service, Ontario Canada

January 9, 2017

Sergeant Clayton,
May you rest in Heavenly Peace. May your family be forever watched over and blessed. May your friends and colleagues find comfort. Please watch over us from on high.
We will see you again dear Ma'am.
Thank you for your service. I will never forget your sacrifice or the sacrifice of your family.
Greater Love Hath No Man....
Prayers for all involved.

Kristi
Surviving Daughter of Special Agent J. Robert Porter
Federal Bureau of Investigation
E.O.W. 8/9/79

January 9, 2017

RIP

cheif deputy jose ramirez
ICSO imperial county sheriff

January 9, 2017

RIP. those responsible should be. given the chair

sheriff jose ramirez
ICSO imperial county sheriff

January 9, 2017

RIP sister

Deputy Zak Rodgers
Boone County Sheriffs Dept

January 9, 2017

May God comfort the hearts of your family, friends and co-workers. And may justice come swiftly for the evil doer who brought an untimely end to our sister in blue.

Larry Sherwood
HCC Police Dept. (retired)

January 9, 2017

In the end, Sgt. Clayton, you did your duty and paid the ultimate sacrifice. America should never forget. God bless you and your family.

Det/Sgt. (Ret.) Gary Miles
Michigan State Police

January 9, 2017

Praying for My Sister in Blue and family; thank you for you service; O.P.D. remain strong .

gt (retired)
N.B.P.D.

January 9, 2017