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

September 20, 2007

37 YEARS OFFICER HUERTA. I REMEMBER THAT NIGHT AS IF IT WERE YESTERDAY. WE REMEMBER AND PRAY FOR YOUR FAMILY. CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER THEM, AND THE OFFICERS ON THE BEAT STILL SERVING.

OFFICER HUERTA, NEVER FORGOTTEN.

JIM SWEENEY CIVILIAN NEW JERSEY
A FRIEND TO ALL PEACE OFFICERS

August 7, 2007

in 1970 i was 6 years old and knew nothing of you officer Huerta ... i was carefree , but your family was going through the worst day in their lives that summer . little did i know that 17 years later i would be your sister in blue and have been for 20 years now . i had a citizen ask me once why i unsnapped the holster to my handgun as i approached his vehicle to issue him a citation , i said to him ,as he began to tell me he would'nt do anything he respects the law ," there is someone else who does'nt" . i realize now that it was you richard that told me my rookie year , be prepared sister , there is someone who does'nt like what we do and he's always around the corner waiting for you , but i'm here and will always keep watch . so thank you my brother for your service and for your hand on my shoulder . your life stood for something great and you are still on tour , you shall never be forgotten .

officer val pickens
b'ham p.d./b'ham,al

April 5, 2007

You have not been forgotten Officer Huerta

Officer
Maryland

January 21, 2006

After the tragic events this past weekend involving East Palo Alto Officer Ray, I was given a haunting reminder of when Richard Huerta was slain.

If you knew Richard you knew there was another side of Richard other than his law enforcement career and his family. Richard was a music teacher. Specifically he was an accordion instructor. More specifically, I was one of his students. I think he had about a dozen pupils.

Richard had a way about him with kids. He was really good with us. I won't bore you with the details of his teachings, but there were certain aspects of that teaching that have stayed with me these past 35 years. I was only 9 years old when he was slain. It was the first time I had experienced death. It is the only time I have experienced a violent death.

The morning he was killed I remember waking up hearing my mother speaking to someone in the kitchen. It was early, too early for company. I went to the kitchen and my mom was talking with our next door neighbor who coincidently worked at the Sheriff's Office. I walked in and my mom just looked at me. I remember her telling me "someone killed Richard last night." I didn't need to ask Richard "Who". I ran to my bedroom and cried the rest of the day. He was killed in the early hours on a Thursday. I was to have my lesson that night. My lessons were always on Thursday. My lesson would never come that night. They would never come again.

We were robbed when Emile Thompson stole Richards life. The sad thing is, had it not been Richard it would have been another law enforcement professional. Thompson robbed all of us of a dear friend that to this day I sorely miss.

Through strange acts of fate over the years I had crossed the path of his father once and on a separate occasion his widow and daughter. We each have our own personal memories... all of them unique.


Sincerely,
Steve Erling
Santa Clara, CA

P.S. After Richard's death, I continued to take lessons from the man who had instructed Richard. Although I played for many years, I could never say that I have ever been as well practiced as Richard.

January 16, 2006

TO THE HUERTA FAMILY,
I WAS 15 YRS OLD IN 1970, AND HAD SEVERAL FRIENDS ON SJPD. I SPENT ALOT OF TIME ON RIDEALONGS WITH THESE OFFICERS. I VERY VIVIDLY REMEMBER THE NIGHT OFFICER HUERTA WAS KILLED. I HAVE LIVED IN NEW JERSEY FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS, BUT TELL THE STORY OF RICHARDS SENSELESS KILLING OVER AND OVER TO FRIENDS AND AQUAINTANCES, MANY OF THEM POLICE OFFICERS. BECAUSE OF MY CONNECTION TO SO MANY SJPD OFFICERS, I FELT A SPECIAL CONNECTION TO RICHARD, AND GRIEVED ALONG WITH YOU, HIS FAMILY.
I TELL THE STORY OF RICHARD TO POINT OUT THE SENSELESSNESS OF HIS DEATH, BUT TO ALSO HONOR HIM. I ALWAYS FELT HE WAS A TRUE HERO.
AFTER 35 YEARS, I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN HIM. THANK YOU

jim

July 18, 2005

Dear Huerta Family,
I met you at the San Jose Memorial Service in honor of Richard and fellow officers including Off. Robert White (my brother). I know it has been many years since they have passed(20 yrs for Bob), and faded memories are all I have. . I am very grateful to our city of San Jose and the Police Dept always go out of their way to make our families feel special and proud of our loved ones. I hope your family finds comfort in attending the services to honor each fallen officer and to let us know they have not forgotten.I want to wish you well and hope to see you again.
Sincerely,
Kathy O.

katherine o'carroll

May 21, 2005

Richard, your blood runs through me. Even though was born after your tragic death. I already know you. You spirit stays with our family for ever. We are the same because I am your sister.

Monica Huerta

May 19, 2005

Officer Huerta was a personal friend of my fater and best man at my parents wedding.

Joel M. Vazquez jr

May 17, 2005

No hero should be without reflection.
Thank you for your service to our safety.
It is never to be forgotten.

October 7, 2004