Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"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 whose 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

Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

September 17, 2019

Rest in peace Detective Joseph Paolillo,
Prayers and condolences for family and friends.

Sgt. Randy Keenan ~ (Retired)
City of Alameda, CA Police Department

September 17, 2019

may HIS light shine perpetual upon his face

Chief Jim Allen (retired)
Mobile County Child Support

September 17, 2019

Rest In Peace brother. I can not begin to fathom the pain your family is enduring. You and your brother rest amongst our nation’s best and bravest heroes. Thank you is not enough. I will pray a rosary tonight for you, your brother and your families. Rest brother, and thank you.

Corporal (Retired) Glenn Elliott
Temple Police Department--Temple,Tx

September 17, 2019

Rest in peace brother.

Detective Stephen Trejo
Donna I.S.D. Police Dept. Tx

September 17, 2019

Psalm 15
God bless.
Rest in peace brother.

Sgt. Paul Schanno
Minnesota Dept. of Corrections MCF-Stillwater

September 17, 2019

Rest in peace, Detective Paollilo. You deserve your divine reward.

May God comfort your family, friends, and fellow officers at this difficult time.

God bless and protect the Thin Blue Line that protects us all.

Private Citizen Kathryn Felts
Mother of & Family Member of Law Enforcement

September 17, 2019

R.I.P, Thank you for your service. Prayers to the family and friends and the department.

G P P D. C565

September 17, 2019

Thank you for your service. Prayers for you Family & Department.

Sergeant Monica Veney
Baltimore City Police Department

September 17, 2019

My family and I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family, friends and fellow co-workers of Detective Joseph Paolillo during this difficult time. May they find comfort and support from those around them. May happy moments from the past bring forth precious memories to cherish for a lifetime. May God help heal their aching hearts. Thank you for your service and may you rest in peace Detective Joseph Paolillo.

Gail M. Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit Police Officer Jennifer Fettig eow 2/16/04

September 17, 2019

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 17, 2019

Thank you for your service.

Dmytro Goloborodko

September 17, 2019

RIP Brother.

Trf Ofc. (ret) G V Daunhauer
Jacksonville Sheriff Office

September 17, 2019

Rest, brother.

PFC Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

September 17, 2019

Joe, It was an honor to serve with you, brother. Here’s hoping you, and your brother, are watching over the rest of us now. Never forgotten.

DT3 Steven Sposito
NYPD

September 17, 2019

We will remember.

Miss Eleanore Trupkiewicz
Civilian Supporter of Law Enforcement

September 17, 2019

Thank you for your service, brother. You're family, friends, and colleagues are within my thoughts and prayers. May you forever rest in peace.

Special Agent Supervisor George Edwards
FL DOL

September 17, 2019

RIP

President Bobby Jenkins
Florida State FOP

September 17, 2019

Rest easy Brother, Thank you for your service. May your sacrifice and memory never fade.

Jerry Matalone #8046 (Retired)
Des Moines Iowa Police Department

September 17, 2019

Rest in Peace Detective Paolillo. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and prayers are with the Paolillo Family and the NYPD.

Cpl. Gary Hughes (Retired)
Passaic County Sheriff's Office New Jersey

September 17, 2019

The men & women of the Abilene Police Dept extend their condolences to the family, coworkers, and friends of Detective Joseph Paolillo. As we remember this tragedy of Sept 11, 2001, we recognize the long term effects a single act can have as it reverberates throughout time. Our deepest gratitude for service rendered.

Beth Reeves, Chaplain
Abilene Police Department, Abilene TX

September 17, 2019

I am sad to learn of the passing of a brother and hero in Detective Joseph Paolillo. I believe our Heavenly Father has welcomed him home into his loving arms where he will now patrol the golden streets of Heaven. May the Lord deliver blessings, comfort and peace to his family, friends and all members of the New York City Police Department, New York

Retired, T W Martinez
FOP member
State of New Mexico/JJS

September 17, 2019

Thank you Detective Paolillo for your hard work and dedication and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the fine folks in the great state of New York. You are a true American HERO. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and co-workers. May you forever rest in peace, my brother.

HEROES NEVER DIE...

Sergeant Mitchell G. Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

September 17, 2019

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.

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

September 17, 2019

Detective Paolillo, I truly Thank You for your brave service to your city and to our country. I am so very sorry for the suffering that both you and your loved ones have gone through all of these years since that tragic day of the attack. May God Bless you and your family now as they grieve and learn to live without you. Rest in Peace now, Brother; your pain is over.

Mary Milam
Sergeant (Ret)
Chicago Police Department

Flowery Branch, GA

September 17, 2019