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.

July 9, 2007

I had the honor of visiting The Wall in March in Washinton, D.C. and finding your name. It was an emotional day. I am speaking next week for the Memorial Week and I am quite sure I won't make it through this story without tears. The message from your son is so touching; I'm sure there's no lack of prayers for the family you left behind. You are greatly missed. Love and God Bless - "Dewey"

Ptl. Tracy Hall-Goodell - Retired
Olmsted Township Police

May 10, 2007

Wow, Brother I can't believe it has been five years.I just wanted to say hi and to his family that reads this page, Thinking of you also. Watch over us brother like you have been. Miss ya and God Bless.

Officer Bob Swope #5609
Olmsted Falls Police Dept.

March 16, 2007

Happy Birthday Dyke! I still think about you everyday and you are so much a part of our lives. I know your here with us and I can almost hear you laugh when we talk of the old days when we were all together. One of the last comments you made to us a week before you left us was "What the heck is going on up there?" Lives go on here but not without missing you bunches.

Dan and Roberta
LaGrange, Ohio

Dan and Roberta Moore

January 25, 2007

Daddy,

Mommy just told me about this page where I can come and read comments about you from others. Mommy and I just talked about you on the 8th of January. It has been 5 years and I SURE MISS YOU!!! I was only 2 was this happened, but I have all my pictures of you and letters that people have sent to me.
I always tell my friends at school about you. I am now going to a special school and they had me read about the angels in heaven because of you.
I love you and you will be forever missed.
Your son,
Cory

Cory Coursen
son

January 13, 2007

Hey Dyke
Just stopping to say hi. I can't believe it's been 5 years. Just letting you know that you are not forgotten.

Ptl. Don Franks #14
Fairview Park PD

Ptl. Don Franks #14
Fairview Park PD

January 9, 2007

5 years ago today. Time has not diminished your
sacrifice. God bless all who still miss him!
Lynn Kole
Washington State

January 8, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this 5th anniversary of your end of watch. It is too bad that they had to experience the trial and now have to wait while the automatic appeal process takes place. Some day justice will be served. Continue to watch over your loved ones ;and keep them close to you. Also, watch over those still out on patrol. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

January 8, 2007

Five years today. We're thinking about you & you are missed. 200

200

January 8, 2007

Dyke,

It doesn't matter how many times I visit, I still get that same feeling of, "I can't believe this happened." Now that the 5 year mark is here, I can't believe it's been that long ago.

On more that one occasion, I've felt you watching over us...Thanks. Give Madison a big hug for me.

Officer Rick Walker #318
Elyria (Oh) Police Department

January 8, 2007

Five years man.

Keep us safe.

We will never forget.

Sgt T. J. Slupski
BCSO

January 8, 2007

Merry Christmas Dyke!!
Another Christmas is passing and another year since you were called to be with God. We will not let the holidays go by without thinking about you.
So glad that we have continued a relationship with DJ and your parents. It helps keep us close to you...especially during these months.
Thank you for continuing to watch over our Marines. Derel will be heading to Iraq soon and Derek will go in the not to far off future. They will need your strength and your protection. Keep our heroes safe and out of harms way.
Our twins have now turned 1 year old. Our spunky daughter is four. We wish you could be here to enjoy them...you would get such a kick out of them. Please take care of them too.
Always on out minds......
Charlie and Jill

Charlie and Jill Michalak
Ohio Friends

December 23, 2006

AJ,
I LIVE WITH LIVE WITH YOU AND DANA'S MEMORY EVERYDAY. I REPLAY JANUARY 8, 2002 IN MY MIND ALL THE TIME. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THOSE OF US WHO WERE FIRST ON THE SCENE GOT THERE AS QUICK AS WE COULD. I LOVE AND MISS YOU. YOU ALWAYS MADE ME LAUGH. I AM NO LONGER WITH BCSO BUT WHENEVER I TRAIN OFFICERS I TELL THEM OF THAT DAY AND HOPE THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS JOB MEANS. I KNOW FROM BEING ON THE SHIFT WITH YOU AND DANA YOU DID IT RIGHT. GOD HAD A MORE IMPORTANT PLAN FOR YOU. REST EASY.

K.COTNER SIERRA 30

K.COTNER
FRIEND

November 16, 2006

Dyke,

We had an officer violently assaulted Tuesday Night. She was able to get a 10-3 (officer in trouble) aired over her radio. The suspect got her gun and was attempting to kill her when it discharged as they struggled with it. Back up officers got on scene and shot and killed the suspect while fighting each other for the gun.

Dyke thanks for watching over her and letting her go home.

Miss You

Jim Eggeman
Columbus Police Dept

November 11, 2006

Dyke I have been thinking about you the last few weeks. Was back in Elyria last week for my nephew who was killed in a car accident. I caught myself again going through LA looking for your truck. Keep an eye on Joe for me he is a good kid.

Jim Eggeman
Columbus Police Dept

October 25, 2006

Dyke, I worked with you briefly at LaGrange PD. I was an 18 yr old Auxiliary and you changed my career forever. 5 years later, I'm a Deputy and I respond to a call in the northern part of the county. Myself and 3 other Deputies show up and 26 seconds later, we are being shot at. We returned fire and subdued the suspect. I know you were looking down on us and making sure we were ok. My partner was shot in the neck, but was released from the hospital the next day. Thank you for keeping me safe.

With Love,
"Timmy"

Deputy T Michalak
Medina County Sheriffs Office

October 20, 2006

Dyke, I have been visiting your site each day, just have not left anything for a long time. Was thinking of you as I watched a slide show of the Deputy in Florida that joined you on the streets of Heaven. In a few short months we will be at the 5 year mark. Seems like yesterday I heard the news. Keep an eye on everyone down here.

Miss you

Jim Eggeman
Columbus Police

October 6, 2006

Watched the funeral of another "A.J." today.
Detective Jonathan(A.J.)Schroeder of Cleveland Pd. Couldn't help but to drift back to your funeral, and thoughts of our days as young cops... You are missed and we think of you often...

200

September 6, 2006

AJ I did not know you but my very close friend was your wife. Thank you for sacraficing yourself for the citizens you protected. You are a hero in my eyes as well as everyone elses. I know you are watching over DJ.

Sincerely, Sgt II Ann V Pickering

Ann-SGT II
Los Angeles Police Department

July 24, 2006

We express our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and all the members of the Beaufort County Sheriff's Department. We were made safer by his service and we all suffer their tragic loss. The family of Corporal Coursen deserves our appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifice. No greater love has a man than the will to give his life for another. In the days to follow, may you be strengthened by the fact that Corporal Coursen is a man distinguished by exceptional courage and will always be admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. You, your family and your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Thomas Doyle
Cary Police Department, North Carolina

July 7, 2006

It has been so long, but not a day goes by that you don't cross my mind. You were always a PAL to me and helped me in more ways then anyone will ever know. It is funny...you are gone from this earth, but you continue to be that PAL by giving me your wife, DJ, to have a special friendship in my life. She has took over where you left off and I know you have a hand in that.
Thank you for watching over Derek and Derel as they perform their duties as U.S. Marines. I can still remember your last phone conversation with them. "Stay out of trouble, do good in school, and listen to your Mom".
I am positive you continue to be Abbie's gaurdian angel. You would love her spunk and "attitude".
Charlie and I have the twins, Adam and Nathan. If you were here with us you would grin and say "What the heck is going on up there?" I remember you saying that many times. I laugh each time I think about it.
Can't wait for the "Girls weekend" with DJ. I never get tired of her and I sharing memories of you.
I know you have a hand in DJ's present happiness and I think that is something special for her. She deserves it.
I miss you and look forward to seeing you again someday.

Jill Michalak
Your "PAL"

May 24, 2006

D.J.,

Today, I meet someone that understands me. YOU. I had been in Washington, D.C. to honor my husband, Sgt. Roy Gonzalez, Jr. of the Franklin Parish Sheriff's Office in Winnsboro, LA. After boarding the plane in D.C., I noticed a very attractive lady sitting one seat behind me to the side. Immediately, I noticed her red rose from NPW.

I began talking to her. Through her grief and her wisdom, I felt so much better about my husbands death. Just talking to someone that has walked a mile in my shoes means so very much. People say that they understand our loss but until you have lost a husband or wife in the line of duty, you have no idea ! I just had to tell you thank you for taking your time today and talking to me like you did. You will never know how much you helped me. May others find comfort and peace through you.

Thanks C.J.

Cpl Coursen, you are an angel for us always but your wife was my angel today.

Find my husband and the two of you can walk a beat on Heaven's street.

Rest in peace Cpl. Coursen.

Shelley Gonzalez

Kathy
Wife of Fallen Officer, Sgt. Roy Gonzalez, Jr.

May 17, 2006

I was a rookie on Jan. 8th. Such a rookie that I hadn't even been issued a uniform from Hartley. I was riding with (now) Sgt. Heany on HHI when we headed north. Heany and I were on a perimeter (which actually stopped us from running into loser guy). Heany had to give me a traffic vest to wear to identify myself. I never knew you or Tate, but my prayers are with your family.

L. Cpl. Rhett Parnell
BCSO

February 16, 2006

Dyke, just wanted to stop by. I have been thinking about you the last few days. We had an officer shot, but she was wearing her vest and the vest stopped the round. I am sure you and everyone else was keeping an eye on her that day.


Keep us safe down here, I miss you

Jim Eggeman
Columbus Police Department

February 2, 2006

Dyke, I can't believe it has been four years now. Just want to say I miss and think about you. Well brother I just wanted to say hi. Keep watching over all of us and god bless.

Officer Bob Swope #5609
Olmsted Falls Police Dept. Ohio

January 15, 2006