Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Hester, you are not forgotten. Your story and a video from your agency was showed today, at this time in an Academy class I am teaching. We live, we learn, and we remember.

May God Bless Your Family!!! You are not forgotten

Orange County Sheriffs Office

January 22, 2010

God bless you.

Anonymous

December 28, 2008

HERO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And that says it all.

Anonymous

July 14, 2008

This is one of the most horrific and tragic sacrifices I have ever heard of! You were one brave officer, as were your partner and co-workers, who attempted to save you. Thank you, sir, for your courage and service!

PSO CW Edwards
North Augusta Dept. of Public Safety (SC)

June 13, 2008

Bobby stands as a reminder that service to others comes with a deep price at times. He was a loving, gentle soul that enjoyed life. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a laugh that I stil remember. Our family still misses him after 25 years.

Cynthia - cousin

May 8, 2008

I am totally shocked by this account of what happened. I was so shocked i had to read it to someone else. I had never heard of this incident. i cannot beleive we do not hear or see anything about this anywhere. To the officer that went in three times. well i can only say that your a true hero. I wish i knew your name. Given the time frame your probably retired now but you can ride with me any day.This sounds like something that is not true, that is the subject of a television movie o horror movie........i will end with this. to all of the officers involved your heors and we that are still on the job will continue the fight and to serve as you did.

lt. spurlock
ccso

April 1, 2008

Reflecting upon this is very hard for me as so much is envolved now that the case is reopened. I was at home, recuperating from a thyroid cancer operation, on the phone with Cpt. Bill Moseley during the last several hours of this 'event'.There were over 360 officers envolved.(I was concerened for a particular officer who had been a close friend when he was 3weeks a Rookie in 1969 at West P.
I won't go into detail of the conversation but I was terrified, although on heavy medication.He had his police radio near the phone and someone called him the last hour but he left our line open.
Such a horrendous trajedy.So many descrepencies.So much confusion. So many reprocussions that still vibrate through everyone's emotions.

SusanDianeMurphree
Friend of Cpt.Bill Moseley,IAD

March 29, 2008

I can remember being 13 years old and hearing about this on the news. It's even more troubling reading about it again now. I'm so sorry we lost you, and I'm sure that your sacrifice has touched others. I'd like to express my gratitude to you and the other men and women who risk their lives to help keep us safe.

Thank you.

Jennifer
Teacher

March 4, 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

January 30, 2008

Uncle Bobby, I have just recently been told the whole story of your selfless life and heroic death. Until now, I was too young to grasp the impact of your life and death. Through the words of your loved ones I feel like I have begun to know you. I want to express my deepest sympathy to everyone who endured this horrific event. I also want anyone reading to know that Bobby IS at peace. His family has recently suffered the loss of his mother (Mildred Hester) who in the last days of her life here on earth exclaimed to her family, "I'm with Jesus...and Bobby...and all my children...what an amazing reunion!" God reassured us that Bobby is at peace joined by his siblings and now Mom. I love you Bobby, R.I.P. your strength lives on.

Katie
niece

January 18, 2008

Patrolman Hester,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Memphis. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

January 12, 2008

I was 10 when Patrolman Hester was murdered, living in Memphis. I barely recall seeing the story on the news and my mother being worried, but my parents didn't tell me the worst of the story. I just knew it was bad.

I'm so sorry this happened to you.

Anonymous

January 10, 2008

I was 10 when Patrolman Hester was murdered, living in Memphis. I barely recall seeing the story on the news and my mother being worried, but my parents didn't tell me the worst of the story. I just knew it was bad.

I'm so sorry this happened to you.

Anonymous

January 10, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on this 25th anniversary.

Former N.H. Police Officer
Fauquier County, VA

January 9, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE.

VANDENBERGHE
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

January 4, 2008

I think of you often and when I was a police recruit in Florida I told your story to my academy classmates. I know you are in a better place with other heroes who gave their
lives in service to their community.

You are the true definition of a hero and you will never be forgotten by your brothers and sisters in blue.

Rest in peace.

Officer Todd Riggins
Brighton, Tennessee Police Department

November 18, 2007

Bobby was my big cousin. His father and mine were brothers. Bobby was several years older than me, but he was always so much fun to be around when we would all gathers at our grandmother's home for holidays, or if we traveled to Memphis to visit. I was 19 years old on that horrible day that I'll never forget. That day taught me so much... it taught me what true hate felt like, but because of the wonderful family we have it also taught me true forgiveness Bobby acted exactly as any of us would have known he would that day....he was a hero to the end. His partner spoke with us later and through the things he shared Bobby's courage and friendship that horrible day held true. Thank you to all that have written wonderful things here. If you could know all the tragedies that Bobby's Mom has faced in her life you would understand that he came by his courage naturally. Bobby will always be a part of our lives, we never have a family gathering without someone speaking of him, his brother and father that preceded him in death and his sister that has since past on also.

Mary
Little cousin

August 26, 2007

I remember the horrible sad day you were killed, being an ex-wife of a Mphs. police officer with 2 young daughters it terrified me...my heart was breaking as the news was coming out about your pleas for help & the terrible way you were killed...I pray that God has blessed your family & friends with only the "good" memories to bring them comfort & peace...may God bless your family & I pray you are at peace...

Cheryl Jones Hawkins
ex-wife of Mphs. police officer

June 2, 2007

in 1983 officer Hester i was a freshman in college thinking of becoming an attorney . as i sit here and read about what happened to you that january day in 1983 my heart breaks , not only for the torture you endured , but also for your/my fellow brothers and sisters that could not save you . you see in in september of 1987 , i became a police officer and to this day i don't like going into peoples' homes because a mentally ill person locked me in , and i had no escape ; however , i survived .... i was not tortured , i was saved ... i will forever have a link to you , not only because we share the thin blue , but because you were with me that day and safely saw me home to see my family . in writing this reflection i sense your spirit and i hear you my brother ... " always by my brothers' side , he'll never be alone "... thank you for being by my side and not leaving me that day . i know that you are at peace with our Heavenly Father , you will remain in my heart this day forward ... rest now please , although you have'nt yet , we have the watch from here and even when we can't save our brothers/sisters i know that you've asked GOD to step down to be there with them . thank you again and may your family know that you love them still....

officer val pickens
birmingham p.d./birmingham,al

May 25, 2007

THIS IS SO SAD AND ALL THIS HAPPENED ON MY STREET. I LIVE AT THE OTHER END, BUT MY SCHOOL IS ACROSS THE STREET FROM THAT HOUSE. the house still stands and wouldnt yall like to start...MY FRIEND NIA MOVED IN THAT HOUSE, THEY MOVED RIGHT OUT BECUZ YOU COULD STILL HEAR THE TRAGEDY THAT WENT ON.

ROBYN MEDICAL ASSISTANT

April 23, 2007

YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN ON THIS 24TH ANNIVERSARY.

Former Police Officer
District Heights,MD.

January 12, 2007

Your story is so horrific.For a man to suffer so much before death is unspeakable but I know these people will still have to face Our Lord's judgement.May you rest in peace, may you be blessed.

January 12, 2007

this story still saddens and sickens me .i was in grade school when this happened.my mom was teaching patrolman hester's partners child at the time.i keep this story always in the back of my mind when entering a house making a medical call or even a fire call. anon firefighter

firefighter troy holloway
bartlett fire department

December 28, 2006

bobby is my cousin. he was my grandmother's (mildred hester)nephew. and it so happens my dad works for memphis too as a sergent. basicaly every thing that happened that fateful day was an example of how things go wrong

cousin

December 21, 2006

My God I'm at a loss for words after reading about your tragic death. After all of the horrible things that you went through I feel that you are now in a better place and treated to a Beat in heaven, lined with good people, doing good deeds and being watched over by you, one of the Lord's chosen beat cops.

Sgt. Eddie Bounds (Retired)
Jacksonville Beach Police Department

September 27, 2006