Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU YOUNG SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

January 22, 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

September 20, 2007

I was in the 111th SDPD Police academy when you went to heaven. Many of us learned from you and your name came up often in training especially P.T.
Your last day on earth was also your first day in heaven...Congrats on getting your next assignment. Former officer J.Lane Moscow, idaho

Jack Lane
EPD, La Grande PD, Oregon

February 11, 2005

Officer Hartless,
On today, the 17th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you-not only for your service to to the citizens of San Diego but also to our Country and to our Corps as a Marine.
Semper Fi Devil Dog,
A fellow LEO and former Marine

January 31, 2005

Jerry,

I was in the SDPD academy and on a two week field training with my FTO out of Central Division. My FTO was also a SWAT officer and the morning of your death, I was met by him as he rushed out the building, informing me of what had happened and that he was needed to help find the man who was responsible. Your story was told many times althrough my time with SDPD and now as a Sergeant and FTO with the Kennewick Police Department, I still tell your story with hopes that every officer can learn from the past and make the future a safer place. God Bless you Jerry!

Sgt Mike Genack
Kennewick Police (WA)

October 4, 2003

Officer Hartless's sacrifice should remind all citizens why we should not take our law enforcment officers or those who serve in the millitary for grandet. They put their lives on the line for us everyday for little pay and recieve little respect. In the end though there are those who will not forget.

A Kansas Citizen

August 21, 2003

Jerry and I went to the academy together and were close friends as young patrol officers working Southeast division. 14 years have past and I still think of our good times together. Jerry was an ex-marine and very physically fit. He was on top of his game. His memory should serve as a reminder to all of us that no matter how prepared you are things can and will go wrong. Work smart, work safe and never assume...

Sergeant Dale Cummins
Gresham Police Department

I'm a former NYPD officer that just joined the SDPD 7 months ago. I'll be graduating my second police academy next week and walking some "new" beats. Jerry's story is often told at the academy and he is still thought of as one of San Diego's best and brightest. He is not forgotten.

Police Officer Christopher M. Poznanski
San Diego Police Dept.( retired NYPD)