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

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

October 8, 2007

Donna,
I know your brother's murder goes unsolved here on earth, but rest assured, God saw it all. He will deal with the monster who took your brother's life. Justice will be served.

Taryn Walters Ontiveros
Daughter of Officer Larry Walters EOW 11-13-74

March 10, 2004

My brother was killed 31 years ago, he was only 24 when he was murdered. He was so young and had his whole life ahead of him. I was so proud of him, besides being a great big brother, he was a Vietnam vet and loved being a DeKalb County police officer. He risked his life everyday protecting the public as all officers do. It takes a special kind of person to do this job. I miss him everyday and it makes me very sad that my childen will never know him. My heart is full of love and memories for David and I share them with my children to let them know what a wonderful person he was. My hope for the future is that someday they will find who took my brother away from me and my family. To date, his murder is the only unsolved murder case of a Dekalb County police officer.

Donna Corn Neill-Sister

Thank you so much for serving those who never knew you.