Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia
End of Watch Tuesday, November 22, 1994
Reflections for Sergeant Henry Joseph "Hank" Daly
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"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 27, 2007
"My Brother"
Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was idealistic and believed he could make a difference.
He was immensely proud of the uniform and the badge and what they represent.
He felt privileged to be of service to his department, his community and to his country.
He was a cop.
Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was friendly, courteous, and polite, yet firm.
He laughed and joked, but was serious when necessary.
He was competent, trained, and professional.
He was a cop.
Although I never met him, I knew him.
He had a strong sense of right and wrong and became
frustrated when true justice became sidetracked.
He felt the sharp criticism that goes with the job, but he
never wavered.
He stood by and for his fellow officers.
He was a cop.
Although I never met him, I knew him.
He longed for his family during the long hours.
He worried about them during his shifts and the lonely
weekends, holidays and midnights when they were apart.
He felt guilty about the lost time, but knew his calling
and prayed they would understand.
He was a cop.
Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was a good son, a loving husband, and a devoted father.
He was dedicated to the profession and cared about the
people he served.
He wanted to do the best job that he could and strived to
be the best he could be.
He was a good citizen and a good neighbor.
He was a cop.
Yes, I did know him.
He was a cop, he was my Brother.
Rest easy Brother Daly, we have the watch...
”I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
---Isaiah 6:8
You answered the call and made the ultimate sacrifice. Rest easy in God's kingdom and watch over us as we continue the battle here on earth!!!
Officer
MPDC
April 8, 2007
12 LONG YEARS, I STILL THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYTIME I PASS BY MPD POLICE HEADQUARTERS. REST IN PEACE.
BOOMER
November 22, 2006
I was celebrating my 10th anniversary on that day. I was so angry hearing about this event ! I became even angrier when I was not allowed to wear my band over my badge that day. It was the day that I was introducing myself to a new recruit class (11-94), and the class' family members. Some were concerned that my badge would cause apprehension. I turned your death / my anger into a positive tribute to You - the 11-94 LAPD Recruit Class went on to become my greatest recruit class. ( R I P Semper Fi, M. B. P. )
Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD
September 25, 2006
Sgt. Daly,
On today, the 11th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your community, but for our Country as well when you served as a U.S. Marine.
Semper Fi Devil Dog
A fellow LEO;former Marine
November 22, 2005
Hi Ya Hank..........I was just thinking about you, Martha, and Mike...I just retired from the FBI. I won't ever forget working with you and that horrible day...I hope you are resting in Peace....
Jerrold H. Bamel
FBI, Special Agent, Retired
August 11, 2004
“For those who pledge to uphold it, Freedom requires a sacrifice the protected will never know”
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