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

May 28, 2020

deepest condolences to the officer's family and friends

Randal Glenn
Canada Border Services Officer retired

May 28, 2020

Rest in Peace, good and faithful public servant.
God has already reserved a special place for our peacemakers.
Please continue your careful watch over us.
When Law Enforcement dies, a proud and caring nation mourns.
Thank you for your heroic sacrifice!
Thank you for your selfless service!
Thank you for your guardian protection!

Our prayers to the family and department.

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

May 28, 2020

God rest his soul.

Robert A. Henne
Jersey City PD/Retired

May 28, 2020

Faithful Unto Death | Eternal Rest | Salute

S. I. Drake - Lt/IPD | IMPD (Ret)

May 28, 2020

Rest In Peace! Thank you for your service!

Adult Probation and Parole Officer; Erie
Erie County Adult Probation and Parole

May 28, 2020

Pettiway family and friends may God grant all of you with a speedy healing. SD Officer Pettiway thank you for your service to your Community and Department. Most of all thank you for your Ultimate Sacrifice in the Line of Duty.

Res.Sgt.Rudy Jones
Cuyahoga Falls,OH Police Dept

May 28, 2020

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

Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

May 28, 2020

God Bless you Senior Detention Officer Alexander Pettiway! Thank you for your many years of service with the Durham County Sheriff's Office. Thank you for making the residents of Durham County, North Carolina feel safer. We are all thankful to you for service, your devotion and your sacrifices, and to your family and friends for their sacrifices. Our hearts break for your loved ones!! 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)

Eddie and Kelly King
Supporters of the Blue

May 28, 2020

On behalf of the Klamath County Sheriff's Office in Klamath Falls Oregon, we send our sincerest sympathy in the recent loss of your Senior Detention Officer, Alexander Pettiway, from complications of the COVID-19 virus. It is always a huge loss when a fellow Senior Detention Officer succumbs from this deadly disease. His bravery and courage to protect and serve your community has not gone unnoticed.

Sheriff Chris Kaber
Klamath County Sheriff's Office

May 28, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Pettiway!
You will not be forgotten!

Willie Bell Hopewell VA!
Friend Of All Law Enforcement Officers!

May 28, 2020

Rest in peace Senior Detention Officer Pettiway. Honored to leave the first reflection for you.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 28, 2020