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
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

March 3, 2008

Rest in peace, hero.

William Woodburn
Private Citizen

February 19, 2008

I heard about Trooper Davidson on the show 'American Justice'(#105). I was curious and looked the story up. What a horrible tragedy. I just had to make a note to thank those who love Trooper Davidson for keeping his memory, courage and impression left on other alive. Thank you Trooper Davidson for your service to the people and you will always be remembered as a hero.

Kelly Hall

January 31, 2008

Darling I think about you every day. I miss your smile,your hugs and kisses,the special way you took care of me and our children. I just read all of the wonderful things that have been written to you and I cried so because it meant so much to me knowing that you are still remembered by so many people. I know you are my angel in heaven looking out for me always. I will always love you with all my heart and soul.

Linda Davidson
Widow of Trooper Bill Davidson

January 12, 2008

I met your wife, daughter and grandson today at the DPS training academy. They were there to represent you for the Texas Memorial for Fallen Officers. It has been many years since your passing but your wife still had a hard time speaking about it while we were eating. Your grandson was so personable in the little time that I was with them. You are definitely not forgotten, your family proved that today. We will always remember.

Trooper II Allen
Texas Highway Patrol

May 15, 2007

It has been so many years since this tragedy. Bill, I remember seeing you about 30 minutes before your life was taken. I was a dispatcher with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department and you had come into dispatch to visit. You left, then returned because you forgot your cowboy hat on the filing cabinet. I remember you grabbed your hat said you were headed out to the highway to work some traffic. It was just a short time later that I received the first 911 call from a citizen traveling on the highway who stopped to help you as you lay on the ground. You had not checked out on traffic with me (but with DPS Dispatch in Victoria), so that made the 911 call even more of a surprise, because I didn't know what officer the citizen was talking about. I will never forget that call and never forget the hundreds of times I talked with you on various traffic stops as a dispatcher. I was attending the police academy at Victoria College at the time of your death and my graduation was the day we laid you to rest. I arrived at my graduation late and did not walk to receive my certificate because it was very hard and emotional. To this day, there is rarely a traffic stop that I make that this tragedy doesn't come back to me. Your death severely impacted the way I conduct traffic stops.

Bill, may you continue to Rest in Peace.

Deputy Constable James R. Baker
Wharton Co. Constable Pct 2, TX

May 15, 2007

It has been so many years since this tragedy. Bill, I remember seeing you about 30 minutes before your life was taken. I was a dispatcher with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department and you had come into dispatch to visit. You left, then returned because you forgot your cowboy hat on the filing cabinet. I remember you grabbed your hat said you were headed out to the highway to work some traffic. It was just a short time later that I received the first 911 call from a citizen traveling on the highway who stopped to help you as you lay on the ground. You had not checked out on traffic with me (but with DPS Dispatch in Victoria), so that made the 911 call even more of a surprise, because I didn't know what officer the citizen was talking about. I will never forget that call and never forget the hundreds of times I talked with you on various traffic stops as a dispatcher. I was attending the police academy at Victoria College at the time of your death and my graduation was the day we laid you to rest. I arrived at my graduation late and did not walk to receive my certificate because it was very hard and emotional. To this day, there is rarely a traffic stop that I make that this tragedy doesn't come back to me. Your death severely impacted the way I conduct traffic stops.

Bill, may you continue to Rest in Peace.

Deputy Constable James R. Baker
Wharton Co. Constable Pct 2, TX

May 15, 2007

Thinking of you on the 15th anniversary of your EOW.
20 years and you never got to see a day of your
retirement. Time has not diminished your sacrifice
and we thank you for your many years of loyal service.
I am happy to see that your murderer paid for your life
with his own. Although it doesn't bring you back and
it may not lessen your families' grief, at least justice
was done; well, at least on this earth. I wish more states had the death penalty for cop killers.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

April 12, 2007

God Bless you, Trooper Davidson. Thank you for your service.

Police officers don't die heroes-they live every day as one.

SSgt Adam Keith
U.S. Air Force Academy K-9 Unit

September 24, 2006

14 years ago today you gave your life for the citizens of Texas. You will never be forgotten.

Dennis Stevens Investigator
Bell County County Attorney's Office

April 12, 2006

I was a sophomore in high school when this tragic event happened and I remember hearing about it and see it on the TV. It was a very painful experience to see and hear about. Something made me remember this specifically today and now I understand why. Today is the 14th anniversary of losing Trooper Davidson and I think he is in Heaven reminding us to keep an ever watchful eye out for LEO's everywhere and telling us that they have a few angels on our side. Thank you for keeping an eye on them and keeping them safe.

Erin

April 12, 2006

A shot was fired,
And the Angels looked below,
Rivers of tears from Heaven flowed,
They saw him fall,
The gates swung open,
And another hero is welcomed home.

Blessed are the peacemakers.

December 18, 2005

Last night your killer finally got what he deserved. Though it won't bring you back at least justice was finally served.. God bless you and your family.

Sergeant Paul George
Houston Police Department

October 7, 2005

Justice has been served. May you rest in peace. God Bless.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" Matthew 5:9

LEO Wife
Fort Worth, TX

October 7, 2005

Rest In Peace Trooper, Justice has been served...

Wife of LEO

October 7, 2005

Your killer's punishment has been carried out. Sleep in peace, hero.

William Woodburn
Private Citizen

October 7, 2005

Your murderer is scheduled to die by lethal injection tomorrow. It took a few years, but justice was done.

California Officer

October 5, 2005

The coward that took your life has only 4 more months to live his.
God Bless you and your family Trooper Davidson.

Texas Officer

June 17, 2005

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

April 12, 2005

May god help ease and calm his families pain for the loved one they have lost.

February 5, 2005

Rest in peace my brother.

Police Officer
Burlington Township PD NJ

December 15, 2004

Trooper Davidson issued me my first citation when I was 17. I'm proud to say I followed in the footsteps of a truly professional man. May you rest in Peace brother.

Officer T. Eddleman
Fort Worth P.D.

February 24, 2004

you where a great man, a friendly neighbor, and an outsanding trooper. you have been and will continue to be missed.

micahel nelson

November 12, 2003

May your killer never see the light of day again!. God bless you Trooper.

Capt. Scott Wright
Mount Holly Police Department, NC

October 20, 2003

You will never be forgotten.

Anonymous