This page is dedicated to all Law Enforcement Officers who made the Ultimate Sacrifice in the Line Of Duty.

Officers daily put their lives on the line in order to uphold the law and protect us from those who would take or destroy what you and I spend our lives building. They are seldom appreciated, and often criticized just for doing their jobs. Yet they are always there for us when we need them... ready to give their all... even their lives... to defend and protect you and me. They are the only thing standing between us and the evil element out there that would take your life and your posessions without a second thought. This page is my way of giving a little something back to them for all they have done to protect you and me and keep us safe.

Who Are We

We're the people that you may see every day and night. We're people that you depend on one way or another. We're working for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

When you and your children pass us in the store, and you can't control them, you make them afraid of us. You tell them if they don't behave, you'll tell us to "get them". My friend, we aren't monsters. We don't want them to be afraid of us. We want them to know that we're their friends, and they can trust us. Do you know who we are?

Sometimes, we have to play the role of lawyers, judges, psychiatrists, reporters, medics, marriage counselors, investigators, firefighters, and many many times, just be a good listener. These are just a few skills that we must be able to utilize at any moment in the performance of our job.

We're constantly scrutinized by the media, and you, the public. We're bashed by you. If one of us makes a mistake, it sometimes makes the local news, and possibly even national and world news.

Many of you are more interested in what a few of us do wrong, than what most of us do right. You forget that we're not perfect. We're human, and we do make mistakes. Have you ever made a mistake?

We have the same emotions that you do. If something is funny, we laugh. If something is sad, we cry. When repeat offenders are released from prision and placed back into society to rape, rob. and murder again, we get angry just like you. We wonder why they are put back out also.

We suffer from the same problems that some of you do. Some of us at this very moment are thinking about committing suicide. Some of us already have. Some of us, if not most, have marital problems. Some are alcoholics, and yes. some of us even have problems with drugs. Again, we're just like you.

We're of every race, sex, religion, nationality and even sexual preference known to mankind, yet, if we strike back to defend ourselves, we're called racist and prejudiced. Do you know who we are?

Most of you have no idea what we go through every day and night. You have no idea what kind of decisions we must make in a split second. Decisions that may forever change someone's life, family or future. Decisions that a jury will have hours or days to decide whether we were correct or not.

Many people would love to cause us pain, injury or even death. Some wish we didn't exist at all. We're cursed, ridiculed, shot at, cut, beaten, ambushed or murdered in cold blood by some. Would you ever imagine that we're here for those people also? Would you believe that we're the only thing that stands between you and them?

We see things that would horrify most of you. Things that you may think only exist in large cities. That's a common misconception. We see death, broken bones, dismembered bodies, and cut throats. The list is too long to really go on. These things are everywhere. A lot of the things you see only on TV or at the movies are all too real to us.

We see innocent little children that have no choice but to live in dirty, smelly, roach infested homes because their parents would rather sit on their butts and live on welfare in a government funded housing complex, or a house that is not fit for human habitat, than to get out and get a job. Parents that would rather spend more, if not all of their money getting high on drugs, than taking care of their children, and raising them in a clean environment. Some of the parents are only children themselves.

As I said before, we're human, and we have feelings. It hurts knowing that these children may never get to see and do things that other children with loving, caring, hard working parents are doing. I wonder if any of them will ever get to see that magical wonderland called Disney World.

Yet, our job is one that looks appealing to some of you. Especially when you see us stopped for lunch. We've heard some of you say things like "I wish I had a job that would pay me to sit around and eat." Of course, you don't think that the very next minute we may be fighting for our lives, or yours.

When you see us riding down the road, and you, not knowing where we're going, or what we're about to face say "I wish I could get paid to ride around all day and write tickets". My friend, I wish that was all we had to do. Do you know who we are? I think you do.

You don't see us as we ride through your neighborhoods late at night, trying to protect you, your family and property from the thieves who could care less about how long and hard you worked for everything you own. You may not know this, but they are roaming your neighborhood at night too while you are fast asleep. They're looking for anything of value that is easy to get. Things that you carelessly leave unsecured or laying in your yard. No neighborhood is completely safe.

When something is taken from you, you call us. Some of you will complain and wonder where we were when your property was taken. The sad, but true story is that we are extremely outnumbered by the bad guys. We can't be everywhere at once, and they know that. I wish there were more us us. You should know who we are by now. If you don't you will soon.

Now, the types of crime and the people that I have mentioned aren't the only ones that we come in contact with. We also come into contact with you, the citizen that never does any wrong. We're all too familiar with you and the remarks that you make when our paths meet for whatever reason. Whether it's running a stop sign, a red light, speeding, or DUI. If we had a dime for everytime we heard you say "I pay taxes! Why don't you leave me alone, and go get the drug dealer standing on the corner?" "There are people out doing worse than me!" Or the famous..."I pay your salary!" We would be rich!

We know that those of you that make an honest living do pay taxes. So do we!

If we concentrated only on the drug dealers, how many innocent people would be injured or killed if we were to ignore the people that travel extremely too fast, or the people who get behind the wheel while intoxicated? The number now is too high, and is still climbing. I can't help but wonder how many lives we have saved by stopping the speeders and the drunks. Could one life have been yours or one of your family members?

We know there are people doing much worse than you, but the bottom line is, there are many laws that must be enforced, from minor traffic violations all the way to hardcore crimes such as rape and murder.

To the remark "I pay your salary". All I can say is, "Well, we're doing our job, boss."

If for some reason you still don't know who we are, we're the Police Officers, Sheriff's Deputies, State Troopers, State Police, FBI, and everything in between. We are many, but are still too few!

As I said at the beginning, we are always here for you. If you need us, call. Even if you don't, you don't have to be afraid of us. Remember that we are on your side. You can talk to us anytime you see us sitting on the side of the road, or in a parking lot, or walking in a store. If some of you would just get to know us, I think you would find out what I've tried to explain. That is, we are just like you. We just have a different job.

Note: To some, I might sound some what arrogant. I'm sorry for stepping on anyone's toes, or just plain and simple "Ticking anyone off!" That is not my intentions. It may sound like Im down on all citizens, but Im not. You know who you are. I don't profess to be a writer, or to always use the correct words to convey what I feel, but I try. What you have read took about 2 years of adding to, and taking away. Its been a lot longer and a lot shorter. It's how I and a few other LEO's that I have let read it feel, however I do not speak for all. It was suggested to try and publish it. I may some day. Any comments are welcomed.

Sgt. Richard J. Brown Lanett Police Department Lanett, Alabama

Please email Sgt Brown with any comments you have about this artical.

Click on the button below to visit Sgt Brown's web site

Each flame below burns for an Officer who gave his life in the Line of Duty. Please click on the flames to read each Officer's story.

Battered persons and their families are not the only victims of Domestic Violence. The lives of many other people are affected as well. The most feared call by any Law Enforcement agency is the Domestic Violence call. Countless Officers have been killed in the line of duty while answering a Domestic Violence call, leaving behind a spouse and family whose lives are changed forever.

These flames burn in memory of all fallen Law Enforcement Officers who made the Ultimate Sacirfice in order to defend and protect the Victims of Domestic Violence.

Below are some links to other Law Enforcement Memorial Sites

IN ETERNAL REST
I never dreamed it would be me
My name for all eternity
Recorded here at this hallowed place
Alas, my name, no more my face

"In the line of duty" I hear them say
My family now the price will pay
My folded flag stained with their tears
We only had those few short years

The badge no longer on my chest
I sleep now in eternal rest
My sword I pass to those behind
And pray they keep this thought in mind

I never dreamed it would be me
And with heavy heart and bended knee
I ask for all here from the past:
Dear God, let my name be the last

Sgt. George Hahn, LAPD (Retired)

ANOTHER BROTHER LOST
IN MEMORY OF THOMAS JEFFRIES
(1962-1997)
KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY 07/20/97

There is much pomp and circumstance
spit and polish rule the day
Pride and sadness mingle
as we bow our heads to pray

In the chapel once again
to honor a brother lost
A reminder to the world
that freedom has a cost

Rows of men and women
dressed in blue, green, and brown
from many a county,
and each surrounding town

Many words are spoken
about a man I did not know
Somehow I'm affected
more than I can show

We stand as one body
hearts and faces resolute
As we pass by our brother
and give one last salute

Miles of red and blue flashes
blurred by tear filled eyes
Most just drive in silence
while here and there one cries

Tomorrow is for vengeance
and demands that someone pay
But for now the world of judges
seems a million miles away

Standing at the grave side
we take assigned positions
Drawing strength and courage
from comrades and traditions

21 shots are fired
I see the widow start
Just one more reminder
of a newly broken heart

Flags are slowly folded
while pipes play "Amazing Grace"
Tears now freely flowing
as he's lowered into place

Among the tears and sorrow
there is a certain pride
The words "I made a difference"
are what he left behind.

PD Tombleson (1997)


Officer Jeffries was shot three times while
pursuing a suspect who had just shot a
seven year old boy. He was hit in the
hand, the leg, and in the chest, just above
the top of his vest. He returned fire,
wounding the suspect. The suspect was
later apprehended by a K-9 unit. The boy
is recovering from his wounds.

Officer Jeffries died in a local hospital
a short time after the shooting.

The effect on the community was amazing.
It is not often that law enforcement
personnel have an opportunity to witness
public support, but the city of Portland
and the surrounding area drew together
in the wake of Officer Jeffries death.
Many people turned out for the procession
to the memorial service. Local media
covered the event and many people were
deeply moved. In a city not known for
it's public support of the Police, it
was touching to see the outpouring of
concern and affection for Officer Jeffries
and his family.

A POLICEMAN'S PRAYER

Oh Almighty God, Whose Great Power And Eternal Wisdom Embraces The Universe, Watch Over All Policemen and Law Enforcement Officers. Protect Them From Harm In The Performance Of Their Duty To Stop Crime, Robberies, Riots And Violence. We Pray, Help Them Keep Our Streets And Homes Safe Day And Night. We Recommend Them To Your Loving Care Because Their Duty Is Dangerous. Grant Them Your Unending Strength And Courage In Their Daily Assignments. Dear God, Protect These Brave Men & Women, Grant Them Your Almighty Protection, Unite Them Safely With Their Families After Duty Has Ended. Amen.
Author Unknown.

LOVING A POLICE OFFICER

Watching my love put on his uniform,
I catch the glint off the badge which adorns.
Checking his gun, adjusting his belt,
Anguish begins to build like the other nights I've felt.

I know his job is to protect and to serve,
And my mind knows good men are what the force deserves.
But selfishness enters with matters of the heart and so why him?
To put his life on the line for so many unappreciative women and men.

But that one difference is all he wants to make,
From easing some abuse to giving a lucky motorist a break.
So when his hand reaches for the door to begin his night,
Only God knows what will be his plight.

I can only hope he knows of all my love,
And in another breath say a prayer to God above.
Keep him safe as well as his other fellow brothers,
May they all return to their wives, husbands, and mothers.

But in the night I know a siren will wail,
For the call of duty will always prevail.
Injustice seems to need no rest or sleep,
But instead constantly lurks in the shadows deep.

Nothing matches the feeling at the end of his work day,
When he reaches out to touch me in the bed where I lay.
Peace reaches my soul and I thank God again
For bringing my love safely back to me, our family, and friends.

Author: Shelby

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PowerSearch the Web:

Below are links to some great Law Enforcement sites

Police Officer's Internet Directory
Ronald Snyder's Page
Cave of the Bear
Rick's World
Franklin55's Page
Hunnyee's Page
James H. Fitch, K-9 Officer
Denny's World
Father Time's Page
Ken R. Pence, Lieutenant Metro Nashville Police
Metro Nashville Police Dept Domestic Violence Page
Ringwood, NJ Police Dept
Belmont CA Police Dept Domestic Violence Page
King County WA Domestic Violence Information Pages
Eufaula Police Department
Marion NC Police Department


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