The Policeman stood and faced his God,
which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining
just as brightly as his brass.
"STEP FORWARD NOW, POLICEMAN. HOW SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU? HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER CHEEK? TO MY CHURCH, HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE?"
The Policeman squared his shoulders
and said "No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Cause those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a Saint.
I've had to work most Sundays
and at times my talk was rough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awful tough.
But I never took a penny
that wasn't mine to keep...
Though I've worked a lot of overtime
when the bills got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help.
Though at times, I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
but if you don't, I'll understand.
There was silence all around the Throne,
where the Saints had often trod,
As the Policeman waited quietly
for the judgement of his God.
"STEP FORWARD NOW, POLICEMAN. YOU'VE BORNE YOUR BURDENS WELL. COME WALK A BEAT ON HEAVEN'S STREETS. YOU'VE DONE YOUR TIME IN HELL."
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
You were brave and strong. You served your community with pride and professionalism. You made a choice to stand in the face of danger so that we could be safe. You made a difference. Thank you Gentlemen. Your sacrifice will be remembered always.
"YOU Will Be Remebmered Always!"
Atlanta Officer Niles F. Johantgen, age 32 Died December 21, 1991
Fulton County Officer Christopher B. May, age 27 Died August 18, 1991
DeKalb County Officer Wade Barrett, age 27 Died April 7, 1991
Atlanta Officer Randy J. Schimpani, age 34 Died May 5, 1992
Cobb County Officer Robert J. Ingram, age 24 Died July 13, 1993
Forest Park Officer R.L. "Ricky" Cash, age 25 Died January 3, 1996
Atlanta Officer John Richard Sowa, age 28 Died October 12, 1997
Villa Rica Capt. Robbie Bishop, age 35, Assassinated by unknown 2nd party while at a traffic stop, January 20, 1999. A True American Hero. Law Enforcement As A Whole Misses You. Thank You For Your Diligent War On Drugs.
Atlanta Officer Russell Stalnaker, age 24 Died March 31, 1999
Cobb County Sgt Steve Reeves, age 35 Died July 25, 1999
Cobb County Officer Stephen Gilner, Died July 25, 1999
Fulton County Deputy Rick Kinchen, age 35 Died March 17, 2000
Doraville Det. Hugo Arango, age 24, Assassinated May 13, 2000
Sherry Lyons-Williams, 39 years old, murdered by suspect while serving a search warrant at drug house in zone 3. 1st female APD officer killed in the line of duty. Atlanta Police
Gwinnett County Officer James C. "Chris" Magill, age 39, member of the DUI Task Force, Killed by drunk driver May 23, 1993 while waiting on the side of the road for a wrecker.
Gwinnett County Officer Jeffery Paul Keuter, age 25 Died January 10, 1998.{My Friend, I Miss You And I Will Never Forget You..May You Rest In Peace}
Lilburn Officer Michael Hester, age 26, shot and killed at a traffic stop April 19, 1994
Gwinnett County Deputy Ken Wimberly, age 32, Assassinated September 22, 1998
Gwinnett County Retired Deputy Sheriff Frank Albert Shue, age 63 Murdered In His Home October 23, 2000
Gwinnett County Retired Deputy Sheriff Lewis B Samples, age 69, Former Police Chief In Buford and Doraville, Died October 26, 2000
I felt like you were part of my family From the first day that we met I trained you to do your job But I knew that it was not the one you wanted yet
You told me that you wanted to be a Police Officer And that working in communications was just a start You said that you always wanted to protect the innocent That was always in your heart
When you quit working with me to join the Marines I felt like I had lost a best friend I knew down deep inside, though That our friendship would never end
When I found out that you were in the academy I was happy beyond belief But the day that I heard you died, I cannot begin to describe my grief
I promised you that I would make it to your graduation But you know, as well as I That Police work is time consuming And I could not get the day off, even though I did try
I looked forward to meeting you from time to time As you patrolled your zone in Gwinnett And I patrolled my zone in Duluth, But our paths never met
The day you died I wondered "Why?" You were such a good man And for my friend, all I could do was cry
I will never forget the good times we had together You were a good man, husband, father and friend You were a hard charger Even to the end
I will miss you very much for the rest of my life I will never be able to put you behind, no matter how hard I try But, until we meet again in Heaven, my friend SEMPER FI
In memory of Jeffery Paul Keuter Duluth Police Communications Officer Unites States Marine Gwinnett County Police Officer My friend, I love you....Your Friend, Scott
THE WALL
You don't ever want to think about the wall The wall that stands between you and chaos But, was it not for the men and women who stand on that wall, The life as you know it would be lost
There is a wave of violence and fear Sweeping across our great land There has to be someone to stop this threat And sometimes, with a firm hand
You always complain too much About the speeding tickets that we write But if you have ever had to pass a fatal accident You too would join the fight
You never know how it feels To hold someone in your arms as they die You have to be able to hide your emotions When all you want to do is cry
You never know how it feels As you lie in your bed asleep And we have to lurk in the shadows To catch the burglar as past your window he creeps
You never know how it feels To have to hold back your rage As you question a suspect Who just assaulted a little girl your daughter's age
You never know how it feels To tell your wife and daughter goodbye And try not to think about never coming home again, And all the tears that precious little girl would cry
You never know how it feels To have to put all your fear aside, for after all I am a Police Officer And I proctect that Wall
A Police Officer's Prayer
Lord, I ask for courage;
Courage to face and conquer my own fears...
Courage to take me where others will not go.
I ask for strength;
Strength of body to protect others...
Strength of spirit to lead others.
I ask dedication;
Dedication to my job to do it well...
Dedication to my community to keep it safe.
Give me, Lord, concern;
For all those who trust me...
And compassion for those who need me
And, please, Lord, through it all; be at my side.
A Prayer For Policemen.
Almighty God,
Whose great power and eternal
Wisdom embraces the universe,
Watch over all policemen and
Law enforcement officers everywhere.
protect them from harm
In the performance of their duty
To stop crime, robbery,
Riots and violence.
We pray, help them keep our streets
And homes safe, day and night.
We commend them to your loving care
Because their duty is dangerous.
Grant them strength and
Courage in their daily assignments.
Dear God, protect these brave men and women.
Grant them your almighty protection,
Unite them safely with their families after duty has ended.
Amen
"Colors Of The Fallen Police Officer's Family Ribbon"
BLACK represents the death of the officer; PURPLE represents the heart of the fallen officer; RAINBOW COLORS represent the surviving family members; The GOLD "V" stands for Valor and represents the valor of the fallen
officer and the extreme sacrifice made on behalf of the citizens served
