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

February 13, 2008

Elston; My memory of him was this young kid full of life.
when he went to vice he was so happy because he was so young. He loved to wear suits and I would see him in court looking like an attorney more then a cop.

Only God knows why such a promising life was taken as it was just beginning to blossom. I am glad I got to know you, you made an impression on my life whether you knew it or not.

blain
HPD

August 29, 2007

Mr. Howard,
I don't think anyone's words can express more sentiment than Leslie's. Thank you for being a hero....you ran into the fire when the rest of us would want to run away. I am certain that God will hold a special place in His kingdom for people like you.

ASAC
US Treasury Dept.

July 20, 2007

I will never forget you Elston, the times we shared were priceless.Thank You for saving me. Friends to the End.
Many are Called, But few are Chosen.


Renell

Renell
Friend

May 24, 2007

Rest in peace brother. Thank you for your service.

NC Game Warden

April 18, 2007

This reflection is to Morris' family:

Every time I hear of a slain HPD officer, I remember that dreadful day in 1988 when driving to work downtown I heard his name on the radio. It took a while for it to sink in. By the time, I got to my desk, I called my Mom and was hysterical. She could barely understand what I was trying to tell her. I told her the the slain officer was Morris. I ended up crying for the next hour while at work and had to go home.

I had known Morris for over 20 years. We grew up together, went to elementary school together. We also played and fought like brother & sister. That's how I thought of him and Mario (Pepper), my brothers. But going to different Jr. High and High Schools caused distance between us. But we still saw each other in the neighborhood.

To this day, no one but my Mom knew how devastated I was. Through the entire days leading up to and including the funeral, I was in a fog trying to understand how a human being could take the life of another and wanting it all to just be a dream and not true.

I was very proud of Morris when he became an HPD officer. He talked about wanting to do so many things when we were growing up, but being a good officer was important to him. I also admired his being a good father. He matured alot during those years and turned out to be a very honorable and respectable man that any mother, sister, daughter & friend would be proud of.

To Mother, Sheila & Michelle - I will always think of you as family and will never forget my "brother", Morris.

Love,

Leslie

Childhood Friend

September 27, 2006

It has been so long and I still miss you terribly. For you see we were born on the same date, same year and the same day exactly seven years apart. Family and friends have passed away, but you are still in our hearts. I feel as if a part of my heart is still missing. I will always, always keep you near, my dear best friend and brother.

Your sister,
Sheila

May 6, 2006

I WAS SAD TO SEE MY FELLOW CLASSMATE AND NEIGHBORHOOD FRIEND ON THE NEWS WHEN I CAME BACK TO TOWN TO VISIT THAT YEAR.AS I SAT THERE WATCHING I COULD'NT BELIVE MY EYES.IT WAS (MORRIS) AS WE KNEW HIM BY FROM KINDERGARDEN THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL . EACH YEAR WE HAD CLASS TOGETHER.HE HAD A BEST FRIEND WE CALLED (PEPPER)MORRIS WORKED TWO DOOR DOWN FROM ME AT MY BEST FRIEND HOUSE (BESSIE).THE LAST TIME I SEEN HIM HE WAS WORKING WITH HER FATHER ON JUNK CARS.AND TOLD HIM HE LOOK LIKE FRED SANDFORD.HE SEEMED TO BE A HARD WORKER.I WAS PROUD TO LEARN HE MOVED ON TO BIGGER & BETTER THINGS IN LIFE. HIS LIFE & DEATH TOUCH A LOT OF PEOPLE.I CAN STILL REMEMBER HIM IN THOSE TIGHT BLUE JEANS WITH HIS FAT BUTT WE USE TO TEASE HIM ABOUT IN SCHOOL.HE WAS A HANDSOME YOUNG MAN. AND THOSE WHO DID'NT HAVE THE PLEASURE TRULY MISSED OUT ON A COOL GUY.THANK GOD I DID'NT.I'M SURE I'M SPEAKING FROM ALL OUR CLASSMATES AT BESTY ROSS, KEY MIDDLE,SAM HOUSTON& KASHMERE HIGH. ALSO THE HOOD ,GOLD ST,MILWALKEE,IVY,CHREEY,ECT..WE MISS YOU HOMIE.SEE YOU AND ALL THE REST ON THE OTHER SIDE.

YVONNE

April 3, 2006

~~~Eternally and Always~~~

I didn't get to say goodbye
You're gone without a reason why
I've loved you all of my life
and then you weren't there

I didn't get a chance to say
how much I cared
I can't even remember the tears
that I cried
All I really wanted was to tell you
Goodbye

When I last saw you I felt I wouldn't
see you again
There was a distance between us
that I couldn't explain
You wouldn't look
at me but I could see the tears
in your eyes
If you knew then
You should have told me
Then I could have said
Goodbye

So many words left unspoken
So many hearts left so broken
My love for you is forever
And that will never die
We'll be together always
Our souls are one with God
Eternally and Always
I'll never have to say
Goodbye

February 18, 2005

Amazing how paths cross and a man's legacy is remembered. In my errands today, I had to go to my church to drop off some paper work. While visiting with two of my dear friends in the office at church I saw a newspaper sitting on the table and decided to grab one for reading material at my own business. The title of the paper is "Good News For a Change". Now, this is a paper that should capture attention since there is so much hatred and evil in our world today. The front page is really what caught my eye though. The article was titled "Fallen Hero Living Witness". Of course with my life circumstances of having a line of duty death of my husband the phrase 'Fallen Hero' hit close to home. I read the article and knew without doubt that you, Officer Howard, you will be one of those that will receive many crowns on judgement day. You were a living example of Christ in a profession that is looked on as being gruff and tough. Thank you Officer Howard for your love of our Saviour and devotion to telling others about Him. Your legacy is living on.

Cathy Hill
surviving spouse Deputy Barrett Hill
Harris County SO
e.o.w. 12/4/00

August 23, 2004

This was a terrible incident. I remember watching the news footage of this fine officer's death.Officer Howard was an fine officer. The statements that was made about this officer were some of the most inspiring words I have ever heard. It was not the way this man died in that bookstore but it was truly about how he lived everyday of his life. God bless you Officer Howard. You will never be forgotten.

Anonymous