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

September 20, 2007

Jim and I were Reserves In Colton PD in mid 1975. We got along great and I had the pleasure of meeting his wife and family. Jim was a Texas guy with the steady manner of a thinking man. When he left Colton to join RSO we remained friends and I went on a couple of ride-a-longs with him. Being a full time Deputy did not change Jim as he was polite and professional to all he encountered. It has been many years and now I am a few years from retirement but I miss Jim still for he was one of the really good guys!

Mike Mills
SHPD

June 29, 2007

Jim,
I remember going to your house to hang out with Michelle and you calling in the very early hours of the moring to tell us that it was snowing in Sunnymead. I also remember how much of nice guy you were. You seemed to have fun with life. I still remember your EOW. I just could not believe that you were gone. To this day it still bothers me. My husband is with the Sheriffs Dept and every year we go to the Vigils I do think of you. I have stayed in touch with with your family off and on. Thank you for your service to protect and serve.

Sue HOskins
Friend of Family

June 4, 2007

Remembering You on the 27th Anniversary(sic), of that fateful day.......

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

May 9, 2007

Deputy Evans:

Yesterday, at Roll Call, I discussed Your OIS, and some of the officers were not even born in 1980.

I was a USMC sergeant back on the East Coast when this incident took place. Today, people talk about the North Hollywood BofA Shootout (which I responded to). I quickly remind them of the incident that resulted in a disabled helicopter, more than 20 patrol vehicles shot/destroyed (one even struck by a train), numerous deputies wounded, and Your murder.

I still have a copy of the videotape that includes the actual audio from deputies/dispatchers on that eventful day. I often think of that day when I am near the Brea Mall, where it all began with a carjacking of a van. All of the Security Pacific Banks are closed, BofA branches, or are long gone, but Your memory will live on.........RIP, Bro

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

October 13, 2006

REST IN PEACE DEPUTY.GOD BE WITH YOU.

J.CISNEROS
LOS ANGELES SCHOOL POLICE

July 22, 2005

Jim you were a good friend and a solid cop. I wish i could have told you to back off that day, knowing that you wouldn't. my life was changed for ever that day in May.
Gary Keeter
Retired Deputy and Dispatcher that day in May.

Gary Keeter Deputy Retired
Riverside County Sheriff

May 26, 2004

We will not forget you, Brother.

Anonymous

I just wanted to say that this incident will forever remain in my mind, as I lived in Norco during this incident. The lessons learned from this tragedy were taught to me as a Riverside Sheriff explorer and are continued to be used by training academies across the country, including here in Arizona. God bless you for your sacrifice.

Officer Chris Lee (K-9 UNIT)
Marana Police Department (AZ)