Urban Soldier...
Born with a soldier’s blood running through his veins
His spirit shall always remain
He served his country with honor & pride
For it was not in his nature to hide
He stood for freedom, like so many others
Yet this is different, this is our brother
His soldier’s blood continued to run
So for the City of Phoenix he carried his gun
Now an urban soldier on the beat
Patrolling Maryvale’s toughest streets
These are the streets where he gave his life
Tragically leaving a son and wife
No greater price for service can be paid
For this, Marc’s memory will not fade
Lord we thank you for the peace we receive
As we submit our brother on bent knees
We pray you give comfort to his family O Lord
For we know he is standing next to you with a soldier’s sword.
- By Officer Todd Hopper
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This site is dedicated to the memory our friend
Officer Marc T. Atkinson.
Each year, police officers lose their lives in the line of duty.
Responding to a call of drug activity outside a Phoenix, Arizona bar, Marc responded with 2 other patrol cars to observe from across the street. Shortly thereafter, the other units were dispatched to other calls, leaving Marc alone. Not too long after the other units left, a suspect exited the bar and got into the vehicle being watched. Moments later, two more suspects left the bar and got into the white Lincoln, leaving the area. Marc began to follow, and before too long the suspects caught on. They began try and evade the him, having a fairly good lead on him already. As he came around the corner at 31st Ave. & Thomas, the suspects had stopped the Lincoln and were outside the vehicle. Officer Atkinson had enough time to send the message 'Bail Out' before 2 .357-caliber bullets struck him in the side of the head, causing his patrol car to go speeding into a power pole. A civilian concealed weapons permit holder happened to be in the area, and pulled his vehicle behind the Lincoln when the shots were being fired. He yelled at the suspects, who began firing at him. The civilian drew his own weapon and returned fire, striking the alleged shooter in the back. The alleged shooter was arrested on the scene. The other two suspects were captured a short time later. Coincidentally, they are illegal aliens who were driving a vehicle in which a sizable amount of narcotics was found inside.
Officer Marc Atkinson
If you are a friend of Marc's and would like to place a memorial on this site in his honor email Shawn Smith.
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