Georgia Southwestern State University Department of Public Safety, Georgia
End of Watch Thursday, December 8, 2016
Reflections for Public Safety Officer Jody Carl Smith
"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
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 (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
December 8, 2016
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Citizen Mary Michelle Smith
Citizen
December 8, 2016
Rest in peace, Officer Smith. You deserve your divine reward.
May God comfort your family, friends, and fellow officers at this difficult time.
God bless and protect the Thin Blue Line that protects us all.
Private Citizen Kathryn Felts
Mother of & Family Member of Law Enforcement
December 8, 2016
Rest, brother.
PFC Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police
December 8, 2016
RIP Brother. Your duty done. Rest easy in the hands of Our Lord. Watch over and protect Our Brothers and Sisters in Blue.
NCIS Special Agent (Retired) Ed Coyle
NPD/VBPD/NCIS
December 8, 2016
RIP Officer Smith. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, and your department. Godspeed.
Senior Deputy Sheriff Dave Zajac
Walton County Sheriff's Office (GA)
December 8, 2016
Rest easy Brother. Prayers for family, friends and coworkers.
Career Officer (Ret.) Victor Agosto
Chesterfield County Police, Va.
December 8, 2016