Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"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 whose 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

Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

February 11, 2011

God's peace and speed Officer Bastock. Thank you for your many years of brave, dedicated service. RIP brother.

P/O Popelka #7903
Chicago PD

February 11, 2011

Chief Strzelecki and the entire Niles Police Department extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Bastock. Godspeed.

Niles, Illinois Police Department

February 11, 2011

Rest, brother.

Cpl Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

February 11, 2011

My heart goes out to this fine officer and his family! I did something similar while investigating a burglary in December. I slipped on ice and injured my knee. January 14th 2010 I had surgery. Blood clots are side affect that can happen and I pray to God every day that I survive. I will say a prayer for his family, friends and co-workers.
God Bless!

Patrolman
Illinois

February 11, 2011

Rest in Peace Sir,,,

Officer Thomas Wiederhold, Retired
Fort Worth Texas PD

February 11, 2011

Officer Bastock, my thought are with your family at this time. God bless all of you. Ellen

SA Ellen Pierson
US DHS

February 11, 2011

My wife and I want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Bastock's family, friends, co-workers, and agency. R.I.P. Officer Bastock, we'll carry on for you.

Sergeant Mike Allen
California Highway Patrol

February 11, 2011

REST IN PEACE.

INVESTIGATOR BOB CAMERON
CLEVELAND HTS PD (OHIO)

February 11, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Officer Bastock.. Rest in Peace..

Joyce
Sister of Ofc. John P Harris EOW 8/19/1994

February 11, 2011

RIP!!

allyson

February 11, 2011

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

Deputy S. Yates
Covington County Sheriff Dept. (Ms)

February 11, 2011

Rest In Peace

ACRES
SCOTT CO TN

February 11, 2011

Rest in peace brother, may the Lord give your family and friends guidence. Thank you for keeping others safe.

Officer Gary Timm
Columbus Police Dept - Montana

February 11, 2011

Your dedicated and honorable service to God's children in your community will be long remembered. All of your new partners in God's police department also have paid the ultimate in protecting and serving their communities. Those brothers and sisters left behind will keep your record of love, devotion, honor and integrity alive and they will care for your family. Rest in peace brother. In Christ

Tom Bradley, Retired
Phoenix AZ PD, AZ State Chap. FOP

February 11, 2011

My prayers are with the Bastock family during this time of their loss. God has called another hero home to help patrol the streets above. God bless you.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02

Anonymous

February 11, 2011

My prayers go out to the family and friends of Officer Bastock.

Corporal
Beckley PD, Beckley, WV

February 11, 2011

Avenue of the Fallen

Standing at attention in their class “A“ uniforms, badges gleaming and shoes like glass, are your brothers and sisters of Law Enforcement. All of whom have previously paid the ultimate price.
Today, like many others, they welcome you to this wonderful place. As you march down the Avenue of the Fallen, all eyes focus on you as if to say its ok you’re with your eternal partners. A salute is followed and a tear can be seen on so many faces.
Welcome, you served well.
Now come join us in the ranks, another is coming home.

A brother law enforcement officer
12-25-2010

Sheriff Jim Weaver (Ret.) LAPD (Ret.)
Jerome County, Idaho (Ret.)

February 11, 2011

Rest in Peace, and Thank You for your service.

K-9 Officer Jason Williams
Henry County In Sheriffs Department

February 11, 2011

My prayers go out to Officer Bastock and his family, friends and co-workers.

Surviving widow '91
Hampton Twp. Police Dept.

February 11, 2011

Such a tragic, unexpected loss. My heart goes out to Officer Bastock's family and friends, but especially his wife and children.

I hope they know he is remembered and honoured here.

RIP brother.

Constable Amanda Pandolfi #1249
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada

February 11, 2011

God Bless you sir.

Rick F.
Ret. CO

February 11, 2011

My condolences to the family of Police Officer Bastock and also to his brother officers. Not all Line of Duty deaths are the result of direct confrontations with criminals. Police work exposes you to many deadly dangers. Rest in Peace Officer Bastock and may God watch over your family. You will never be forgotten.

RETIRED DETECTIVE FRANK DEMARCO
NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

February 11, 2011

To the family and extended law enforcement family of the Stow Police Department, I am sorry for your loss. May Officer Bastock rest in peace.

Reserve Officer L. Brown
Rainier Police Department

February 11, 2011

Peace and comfort to your family Officer Bastock. Rest in the arms of Jesus you have finished your duty here. Thanks for your dedication and sacrifice.

retired police officer bob lester
midland police department

February 11, 2011