Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hey Big Brother,

Man, I really miss you. I think about you all the time. I also reflect on how lucky I was to be the last one on the department to work with you,(we had to double up your last day at work). I agree with Juan in saying it's hard to beleive it's been over 15 years, wow how the time has flown! I will never forget you and how much you meant not only to me but to the Squad 36 family. I love and miss you. See you when I get there. Oh yeah, tell Catfish I said hi! Holla.

Sgt. Von Smith #1876
Squad 36 Member

March 24, 2008

"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 © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

November 7, 2007

It's hard to believe that it's been over 15yrs since that fateful day. I still remember it like yesterday. We were getting ready to start our mid night tours when this happened to Ryan. Your a good man Ryan and you are truly missed.

Cpl. J Rosado #1671
Ex PGPD

September 8, 2007

Thank you sir for your service and dedication. You, sir, will never be forgotten. Continue to keep watch over us as you patrol the golen streets of Heaven and we keep the watch here.

NC LEO
Winston-Salem PD

April 22, 2007

Know that you will neve4r be forgotten for your sacrifice.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

April 22, 2007

Thank you for everything you did for our great Covnty. You will allways be missed and on the lips of every PG officer.

GOD SPEED,
Bob Steinat

January 14, 2007

No words can express the love I have for this man. You will always be in my heart as long as Im walking this journey called life. I love you

Ryan C. Johnson Jr.

November 7, 2005

We still remember you my departed fellow classmate. Session 75, We cam as many, we survived as ONE. You live on through the memories of your friends and loved ones.

Cpl Ross #1824
PGCPD

July 5, 2005

You'll Never Walk Alone

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At the end of the storm is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
Tho' your dreams be tossed and blown.
Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart and you'll never walk alone,
You'll never walk alone.

March 9, 2005

May God continue to grant you eternal peace, and bring comfort and peace to your loved ones.

January 25, 2005

God bless my family when I am away,
Leave the lights on I'll return from harms way,

Grant me courage and strength to protect others each day,
So they live in peace without worry, fear or dismay,

Bless those who have fallen given their life for another
May their spirit live on from then and forever,

Return me home to my family at the end of each night,
May I pass through the door before the morning's first light,

Shall I give my life for another before the dawn breaks today,
God bless my family when I am away.

Anonymous

November 30, 2004

God bless you and your family. You will never be forgotten.

DE
St. Louis City Police

June 24, 2004

Don't worry, brother. We have been continuing the fight. Thanks for all of you hard work.

Officer/ Dist.III
Prince George's County Police Department

Officer Johnson ws the youngest son of my sister Donna and she and Ryan's father needless to say were devastated at his death. My husband and I lost our oldest daugther to a medical cause and I could empathize with my sister in her lost and I felt exactly what she was going through and I hope that I was able to help come to terms with her lost although nothing can prepare one for losing a child. Ryan and my youngest dauther were 3 months apart in age and were very good friends as well as cousins.

Jacqueline E. Boozer
I am the Aunt of Ryan Johnson