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

December 20, 2007

Sleep soldier! still in honored rest
Your truth and valor wearing;
The bravest are the tenderest; ---
The loving are the daring.

From A Song of the Camp, by Bayard Taylor (1825-1878)

Anonymous

September 10, 2007

[IF]

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!

A classmate recited this poem at our last senior assembly (1968). He was one of Gregory's best friends. As I glanced across the auditorium I could see that these words moved Gregory as they did me. Whenever I think of Gregory, I think of this poem and often wonder if this had an influence on why he was able to exhibit the kind of bravery that makes a police officer.

A dear friend who remembers

August 29, 2007

I remember Gregory as a warm, caring individual. He was always willing to help others although he remained in the background. In school he was very bright and a good student. He found a place to express his care and concern about the welfare of others by joining the New York City Police Department. I will always remember him and the sacrafice he made and will always keep him and his family in my fondest memories.

Christy Cummings
School Classmate

August 28, 2007

I was just 9 yrs.old when I heard the tragic news of the cowardly murders of you and Rocco.I still, after all these years, think of you two often.Two great Americans who bravely served their country in Vietnam and as police officers in NYC.Rest in peace,brother.God comfort all of your loved ones.You are and always will be an inspiration to those of us who tstanding......in

Ptl.otmail.com
GPD

August 15, 2007

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

June 11, 2007

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

December 5, 2006

I remember watching the movie about Officer Foster and Officer Laurie many years ago. I could not help but to shed tears for the loss of two great men, two great officers and for a partnership with two great friends which they had become. Your legacy lives on always and the inspiration you have had and continue to have on other officers like myself is quite incredible. Thank you for your service and may God always watch over your family.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

September 14, 2006

To those I Love and Those Who Love Me

When I am gone, release me, Let me go
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now it's time I traveled alone.

So grieve a while for if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a while that we must part
So bless the memories within your heart,

I won't be far away, for life goes on
So if you need me, call and I will come
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near
And if you listen with your heart, you'll
Hear all of my love around you soft and clear

And when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and say,
"Welcome Home"

January 8, 2005

DAY IS DONE,
GONE THE SUN,
FROM THE HILLS, FROM THE LAKE, FROM THE SKIES.
ALL IS WELL, SAFELY REST,
GOD IS NIGH.

GO TO SLEEP, PEACEFUL SLEEP,
MAY THE SOLDIER OR SAILOR, GOD KEEP.
ON THE LAND OR THE DEEP,
SAFE IN SLEEP.

LOVE, GOOD NIGHT,
MUST THOU GO,
WHEN THE DAY, AND THE NIGHT NEED THEE SO?
ALL IS WELL. SPEEDETH ALL
TO THEIR REST.

FADES THE LIGHT;
AND AFAR
GOETH DAY, AND THE STARS SHINETH BRIGHT,
FARE THEE WELL; DAY IS GONE,
NIGHT IS ON.

THANKS AND PRAISE,
FOR OUR DAYS,
'NEATH THE SUN, 'NEATH THE STARS, 'NEATH THE SKY,
AS WE GO, THIS WE KNOW,
GOD IS NIGH.

A Brother In Blue

Detective Troy S. Pilivi
Box Elder Narcotics Strike Force (Utah)

October 20, 2004

Dear Patrolman Foster,

It is with great respect and sadness that we write this to express our condolences to the NY City Police Department and to you and your fine family. God gives up great peace in allowing us memories of good times. Dwell on these good memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you for your love and care of your fellow man. Please watch over us from above and pray for us. We love you dear one.

Grandma and Grandpa Hinkle
Parents of a Deputy Sheriff

October 11, 2004

Your death will never be forgotten as your service to the world.

May 10, 2004

Greg, I was a young DC cop when you and Rocco were murdered. I will never forget you. You are my brother forever. Greg, as you now know, Jesus Loves You, we always have.

Ret Officer RB Wade
Richmond,VA Police

October 7, 2003

OFFICERS GREGORY FOSTER AND ROCCO LAURIE WERE DEDICATED MEMBERS OF THE NYPD. THEY INSPIRED ME AS A YOUNG BOY GROWING UP IN NEW YORK CITY TO BECOME A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. THEY WERE SHOT FROM BEHIND IN THIER BACKS BY LOWLIFE COWARDS THAT DIDNT HAVE THE GUTS TO FACE THEM.
THEY SERVED THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK WITH PRIDE AND RESPECT.
THEY ARE TRUE HEROES. R.I. P. MY BROTHERS

COURT OFFICER JOE LAGRIPPO
BRONX CRIMINAL COURT