Swansea Police Department, South Carolina
End of Watch Thursday, June 7, 1979
Reflections for Assistant Chief of Police David L. McIver
Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless
Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas
June 8, 2015
I was a boy when your watch ended, but I heard about it in the news. Growing up in Swansea,I never thought that one day we would be brothers in blue. It saddened me then, and I still think of you on that fateful night. No one deserves what was done to you. You will not be forgotten, and your memory will be honored. My prayers go out to you and your family. May God bless them always.
CAPTAIN JULIUS RILEY
CHERAW POLICE DEPARTMENT CHERAW S.C.
December 1, 2009
"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.
July 11, 2007
BUBBA, YOU MAY BE GONE BUT YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. REST IN PEACE.
SGT BRYAN CORLEY
RICHLAND COUNTY SO
May 6, 2004
MAY GOD BLESS. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER.
CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RETIRED
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.
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