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 21, 2022

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

Postal Inspector Scott Horne
US Postal Inspection Service

September 19, 2022

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Captain William Hargraves. I am truly sorry for your loss. The service and sacrifice of Captain Hargraves will not be forgotten.

Deborah C.
Wife, Mother, Aunt of LEOs
Maryland

September 15, 2022

Cpt. Hargraves,

Thank you for your sacrifice for our nation. May you be with the Lord and may he be with your family.

Det. Russ Cain

Pittsburgh PD

September 2, 2022

The true measure of a person
is not found in the
might of their arm,
their wealth
or their power –
it is found in the strength
of their character.

There is no greater testimony to
ones character, than ones
willingness to sacrifice all,
in the noble quest of
providing protection to all
whom they serve.
Author Unknown

Javier Cornejo
Police Officer, Retired
City of Milwaukee Police Department
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

September 1, 2022

Captain Hargraves, for many years, you dedicated your life to protecting others that they may be safe. Our Lord, who sees all and knows all, will reward you abundantly for your courage, dedication and selfless service. My heart breaks for the sorrow that your loved ones are experiencing, especially your parents. May God immerse you and them in His Divine Mercy. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.

Jess Espinosa
Civilian

August 27, 2022

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

Deputy Parole Administrator Howard Wykes
Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections

August 26, 2022

Years ago, Willie and I spent a good bit of time together in Ada, OK, teaching firearms at the State Police Academy. He had a terrific sense of humor and was always smiling. Our side of the firing line was always the most fun to be on, due largely to Willie! I was very saddened to hear of his passing. See you on the other side, my friend.

Lt. K. Hill
Moore, OK PD

August 25, 2022

Requiescat in Paces

Sergeant Mike O'Connor
Branford CT PD

August 24, 2022

Rest In Peace, Captain Hargraves. Praying for your loved ones.

Officer C Curione (Retired)
Rochester Police Department, NY

August 24, 2022

I am sad to learn of the passing of a Brother and Hero in Captain William Hargraves. 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 Osage County Sheriff's Office, Oklahoma.

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

August 24, 2022

Faithful Unto Death | Eternal Rest | Salute

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

August 23, 2022

Rest In Peace Captain Hargraves, my sincere condolences to your family and to your department. God speed as you now patrol the streets of gold. Your ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. Fair winds and following seas brother. We have the watch.

TERRY F ZECH OFC RET
Department of Veteran Affairs Police Department Detroit Michigan

August 23, 2022

Willy you will be missed brother. You were one of the Officers who led me to Law Enforcement. Thank you for your service not only in Law Enforcement but the fire service as well. Rest in peace brother. We have it from here.

Sergeant Alex Myatt
Blackwell Police Department

August 23, 2022

Rest in Peace Captain Hargraves, Thank you for your Service.
My prayers to your Family, Friends and Co-Workers.

Gone but Never Forgotten!!

Corporal Terri Albright, #668
DuPage County Sheriff's Office
Wheaton, Illinois

August 23, 2022

Captain Willy Hargraves, I thank you for your many years of brave service to all of us. May God Bless you and your family now as they grieve your loss. Rest in Peace, Brother.

Mary Milam
Sergeant (Ret)
Chicago Police Department

Hudson, FL

August 23, 2022

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

James P. Waggle, Jr.
US Army Veteran (SFC)
Civilian

August 22, 2022

RIP Captain Hargraves. Thank you for your service to the citizens of Osage County

Sergeant Darren Weisse
Tufts University Police

August 22, 2022

Rest in peace Captain Hargraves. Thank you Sir for your service and sacrifice. May God comfort your immediate family and fellow colleagues.

Former reserve Deputy ( OCSO) FL Eddie A
Osceola county Sheriff's office

August 22, 2022

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

Abraham Lincoln

Captain E.Kemmer
Nevada Department of Public Safety

August 22, 2022

Willy was a great guy. Funny sense of humor and a great firearms instructor. He always made time to help out in any way he could.

Investigator Joe Horner
Cherokee Nation Marshal Service

August 22, 2022

So sad 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

August 22, 2022

Thank you for your service, brother. RIP.

Lieutenant Brian J. Wills II
Oswego County Sheriff's Office
New York

August 22, 2022

Prayers & Condolences
Rest in peace Captain William Hargraves

Sgt. Randy Keenan (retired)
City of Alameda, CA Police Dept.

August 22, 2022

Rest in peace Brother....My thoughts are with your family, friends, and the members of your agency during this most difficult and tragic time.....

LT. Joseph Ward, Ret
Jackson, NJ PD

August 22, 2022