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 12, 2007

Rest in Peace, Ptlm. Douglass. You are not forgotten.

P/O #5434
Phila. PD

August 30, 2007

Well man it has been over 13 years and you are still on my mind. I can no longer listen to Amazing Grace without crying. Just so you know Jack and I are still "LIVIN LARGE and LIFE IS GOOD". ( Good as it can be without you being a part of it..) Your family is always in our prayers. We miss ya......

Bob Martin, Retired Detective Commander
Friend and fellow officer

August 7, 2007

God bless you and your family

Detective
Cranford Police Dept (NJ)

July 19, 2007

Thinking of you and your family today and everyday.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

February 18, 2007

Nearing 13 years and I remember it like it was yesterday. Don't worry about your son I have a tight eye on him. I I have never though about the sacrifice until I started working. You were a great husband, Father, and Cop. You are truly missed.

Patrol Deputy Nelson
Oxford County Maine/ Family Friend

November 16, 2006

To co-honor David, the Lower Township department of Parks and Recreation anually conducts the Coombs/Douglass Memorial Bay Run the first Saturday in August at the Town Bank Fire Company.

Bill McArthur

August 4, 2006

Thanks to all who have written over the years!
Dave was a special person. We miss him more each day.
To you, Dave *Thanks for the Memories"...
I Love You, Debi

Debbie Douglass
wife

July 30, 2006

I don't know if Dave's family ever reads these but Dave was a classmate of mine at the K-9 Academy. He was certainly a stand-up guy and great officer. He is missed a heck of a lot. I've put my class photo away along with the other snap shots from that period of time. It's just too hard for me to look at. He is missed more than most people know.

Retired Officer & K-9 Academy Classmate

December 10, 2005

"And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow, Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings; I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart's core. "-W.B.YEATS'S INNISFREE ,THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

PTL CHUCK MCNEELY RET
OCEAN CITY PD, 173RD STATE POLICE MC

November 16, 2005

Dave, What can I say? I miss you. It's been a long tough road for all us but we're all ok now. Not many people outside the county realize that you got your start with the Sheriff's Department and the reason I got got my start there as well. And don't forget that you still have alot of friends there that miss you as well. Remember, your missed and remembered and we will never forget that night!

Sgt. Dino Velli
Cape May County Sheriff's Department

February 10, 2005

Officer Douglas, My cousin is friends with your son, Dave Jr. I learned about your death through him. Your death really devastated your community. God Bless you and your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

DFC. Matt Crisafulli
Worcester County Sheriffs Office, MD.

December 18, 2004

Officer Douglas,
I remember you as a wonderful man. I know your family, wonderful people, and I know you are looking down on them from heaven. My Father said you were a fine cop; you died protecting us, but it was your proud legacy from life that speaks just as loudly. We will never forget, god bless you and all those who have fallen in the line of duty.

Cape May County Resident and Son of a retired Law Enforcement Officer

December 9, 2003

Dave,

We all miss you very much here in Cape May County. It has been many years since your death, but your memory lives on in Lower Township. There is a school and a park named for you. Every time I drive by the cemetary where you and Geno are burried, I give you guy's a salute. Rest in Peace.

Edward F. Beck (Ret)
Stone Harbor, NJ Police