The Badge

[Bowtech_archer07]

"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.

-- Sgt. David Bell