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

November 22, 2019

Rest in Peace, good and faithful servant.
God has already reserved a special place
for our protectors.
Please continue your watch over us.


Thank you for your service!
Thank you for your protection!

Our prayers to the family and department.

Charles F. Holloway, Jr.
Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association
Elizabethtown Police Department

November 22, 2019

Rest in Peace Investigator Ridley. May the Lord grant your family, friends and co-workers peace during this difficult time. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Deputy Parole Administrator Howard Wykes
Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections

November 22, 2019

On behalf of the Klamath County Sheriff's Office in Klamath Falls Oregon, we send our sincerest sympathy in the recent loss of your Investigator, Cecil Ridley, in the line of duty. It is always a huge loss when a fellow Investigator makes the ultimate sacrifice. His bravery and courage to protect and serve your community has not gone unnoticed.

Sheriff Chris Kaber
Klamath County Sheriff's Office

November 22, 2019

Rest in Peace Investigator Ridley.

Joseph Hart-Bowley

November 22, 2019

Avenue of the Fallen

Standing at attention in their class “A“uniforms, badges gleaming and shoes like glass, are your brothers and sisters of Law Enforcement. All of whom have previously paid the ultimate price.
Today, like many others, they welcome you to this wonderful place.
As you march down the Avenue of the Fallen, all eyes focus on you as if to say “it’s OK, you’re with your eternal partners.”
A salute is followed and a tear can be seen on so many faces.
Welcome, you served well.
Now come join us in the ranks, another is coming home.
Officer Jim Weaver (#11452), Los Angeles Police Department retired
12-25-2010

Officer Jim Weaver
Los Angeles Police Department retired

November 22, 2019

Rest in peace brother, we have the watch now. Thank you for your service, you will not be forgotten. God bless the family, friends, and co-workers of Investigator Ridley during this time of tragic and senseless loss.

Officer Donnie Meaders
Wetumka (OK) Police Department

November 22, 2019

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

James P Waggle
Civilian

November 21, 2019

Ridley family and friends may God grant you all with a speedy healing. Inspector Ridley thank you for your Dedicated Service to your Community and Department. Most of all thank you for your Ultimate Sacrifice in the Line of Duty.

Reserve Sergeant Rudy Jones #9105
Cuyahoga Falls Police,Ohio

November 21, 2019

Thank you Investigator Ridley for your hard work and dedication and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the fine folks in the great state of Georgia. 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

November 21, 2019

God Bless you Investigator Cecil Ridley. Thank you for your service with The Richmond County Sheriff’s ❤️. Thank you for making the people in Richmond County , GA area feel safer. We are all thankful to you for your service, your devotion and your sacrifices, and to your family and friends for their sacrifices. We are so saddened by this terrible news and you will never be forgotten! Our thoughts and Prayers go out to your family, and all of your sisters and brothers in Blue that protect us. God bless you all!! (Matthew5:9)

Kelly & Eddie King

November 21, 2019

INV CECIL RIDLEY MAY YOU REST IN PEACE

MICHAEL LONG
RETIRED NY STATE POLICE

November 21, 2019

Rest in peace, Investigator Ridley. 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

November 21, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother.

Det. Andreoli
NYPD-Retired

November 21, 2019

RIP brother- prayers to the family

S/A E. Smith
Virginia State Police

November 21, 2019

RIP brother -prayers to the family

S/A E. Smith
Virginia State Police

November 21, 2019

Thank you for your service. Prayers for your Family and Departmen.

Sergeant Monica Veney
Baltimore Police Department

November 21, 2019

My family and I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and fellow co-workers of Investigator Cecil Ridley 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
Investigator Cecil Ridley.

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

November 21, 2019

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Rest In Peace Investigator Ridley. Our deepest heartfelt condolences to all of your family, friends, and brothers and sisters at Richmond County Sheriff's Office.

Postal Inspector Scott Horne
US Postal Inspection Service

November 21, 2019

On behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, our thoughts and prayers are with the immediate family of Investigator Cecil Ridley and the extended law enforcement family of the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, Georgia.


End of Watch Tuesday, November 19, 2019.


Rest in Peace brother and watch over us. We will protect and serve from here on in your honor.

I fight not for glory or fame, for they are momentary. I fight for those who can't. I fight for Justice. I fight for the oppressed and the down trodden. And if I should lose my life for these just causes, then I have no regrets, For I serve to protect the innocent. It matters not where or when, for evil knows no boundaries. Be it fire, flood, or the threat of tyranny, I will not flee. Justice is my weapon. Faith is my shield. Hope is my armor. Cry not at my passing, for it was my Honor to fight for you. Shed not tears of sorrow, But tears of joy, for now, I stand with God.

By Jon F. Hooper

"Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation

November 21, 2019

Thank you Investigator Ridley for your hard work and dedication and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the fine folks in the great state of Georgia. 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

November 21, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you Hero for your sacrifice and service. Thoughts and prayers for your family, friends and brothers/sisters in blue.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

November 21, 2019

God rest his soul.

Sgt. Robert A. Henne
Jersey City PD/Retired

November 21, 2019

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 Police Officer G. Krystof
Los Angeles Police Department

November 21, 2019

Investigator Cecil Ridley, Richmond County Sheriff's Office, thank you for serving the people of Richmond County, Georgia. You'll never be forgotten.

(Ret) Sgt Thomas McCarthy
NYPD

November 21, 2019