Judgment Day for a Police Officer

[Kenneth Brown]

The policeman stood and faced his God,<br />Which must always come to pass.<br />He hoped his shoes were shining.<br />Just as brightly as his brass.<br /><br />"Step forward now, Policeman.<br />How shall I deal with you?<br />Have you always turned the other cheek?<br />To my Church have you been true?"<br /><br />The policeman squared his shoulders and said,<br />"No, Lord I guess I ain't,<br />Because those of us who carry badges<br />Can't always be a Saint.<br /><br />I've had to work most Sundays,<br />And at times my work was rough,<br />and sometimes I've been violent,<br />Because the streets are awfully tough.<br /><br />But I never took a penny,<br />That wasn't mine to keep,<br />I worked a lot of overtime<br />When the bills just got too steep.<br /><br />And I never passed a cry for help,<br />Though at times I shook with fear.<br />And sometimes, God forgive me,<br />I've wept unmanly tears.<br /><br />I know I don't deserve a place<br />among the people here.<br />They never wanted me around<br />Except to calm their fear.<br /><br />If you've a place for me here, Lord<br />It needn't be so grand.<br />I never expected or had too much,<br />But if you don't, I'll understand."<br /><br />There was silence all around the Throne<br />Where the Saints had often trod.<br />As the policeman waited quietly,<br />For the judgment of his God.<br /><br />"Step forward now, policeman,<br />You've borne your burdens well.<br />Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,<br />You've done your time in Hell."<br /><br />.....Author Unknown

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Judgment Day for a Police Officer

cool poem<br /> but so far the past 2 years we have had 4 cops go down in flames, 3 convicted of child molestation and one convicted of theft.<br /> i know most cops are good but I have seen to many bad ones to trust any of them.<br /> to many in this area like to make the law on scene rather than enforce the law. seems the good ones have had to go into CYA mode rather than use good judgement to settle things.<br /> its sad because most cops are good folks just like the rest of us.<br /><br /> so a big salute to the good cops and a frying to the bad <br />but cops are human and have human failings even though we must hold them to higher standards.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Judgment Day for a Police Officer

Solidly agree with ya Rodbolt.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Judgment Day for a Police Officer

but to all those who serve the public in all branches of service I give a big salute. <br /> I did not mean to sound anybit negative. when I posted 4 got busted, thats out of the 28 on the two forces. not bad in my opinion. and only 1 of the 4 was using his position as an officer to molest teens.<br /> overall my experience with law enforcement has been positive, its a testement to all the hard working honest public servants. to bad all it takes is one bad one to jack up the reputation of hundreds.<br /> back in the 60's and 70's if you ran pot through dare county it had to run through the sherrifs office or ya got busted.<br /> the state finally had to set up an SBI sting to root out the corruption.<br /> it was bad enough that the last person you wanted to call was the sherrifs, what the thief did not take they might.<br /> now however we have an outstanding sherrifs dept and some very good police forces.<br /> it just took a few years.<br />im gonna send that poem to a cousin in mobile county, he is still a cop down south he's been doing it almost 30 years.

 

[deeep water]

Re: Judgment Day for a Police Officer

i have the same poem but when it says a cop it should say a soldier,, and it right both times

 

[KRS]

Re: Judgment Day for a Police Officer

Nice poem.<br /><br />There are always a few rotten apples, doesn't matter the field of profession.<br /><br />I don't let them taint the good work done by the other 99%.

 

[treedancer]

Re: Judgment Day for a Police Officer

Liked that poem a lot .the last police officer in this area that died in the line of duty was married to my wife’s cousin’s daughter. Got shot in an undercover drug sting. Left some children.

 

[deputydawg]

Re: Judgment Day for a Police Officer

I have seen that a few times over the years. Every time I read it it brings tears to my eyes. Had to be written by a cop or a soldier.<br /><br />Two phrases that always come into my head.<br /><br />There but for the grace of God goes I<br /><br />Blessed be the peacemakers.

 

[kfraser]

Re: Judgment Day for a Police Officer

I'm sure that there are some good ones out there somewhere. I have a firend that is a local prosecutor and he will tell that every one of them will ask him before a trial "What do you want me to say? I'll say whatever you tell me to." Never met one yet that wasn't a stone cold liar and didn't have the "I'm a bad _ss with a badge" attitude.

 

[txswinner]

Re: Judgment Day for a Police Officer

kfraser, That kind of talk will get you busted on this site.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Judgment Day for a Police Officer

Kfraser is not incorrect, but I think this thread was started as a homage to fallen police officers, so the comment is off topic.

 

[NMplayer]

Re: Judgment Day for a Police Officer

kfraser,<br /><br />I hope some of those guys get to read what you wrote. Then when the time comes for you to dial 911, and it will come, maybe the dispatcher could read it to you over the phone.

 

[txswinner]

Re: Judgment Day for a Police Officer

Told you kfrazier

 

[imported_Curmudgeon]

Re: Judgment Day for a Police Officer

.. that every one of them will ask him before a trial "What do you want me to say? I'll say whatever you tell me to".<br /><br />That's the dumbest thing I've read here yet, most officers don't even talk to the DA before a case is heard! If anyone is saying something in your case, I'd venture your DA most likely says "here's what I want you to say", and the LEO tell him to pound sand.

 

[DJ]

Re: Judgment Day for a Police Officer

Ah, the usual suspects decrying all that is wrong with any semblence of order. The FIRST words are those remembered. The media knows that and plays it everyday. Seing a cop go down in flames is even more tantilizing than a CEO. God, we're sick.<br /><br />There are bad-anything.<br /><br />My hat's off to the cops. At least they are willing to try while the rest of us biotch.<br /><br />My prayers to those that "protect and serve". We ALL owe them a debt.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Judgment Day for a Police Officer

The most difficult job in the world is one where you have to work with people. Cops get the luxury of dealing with them when they are drunk, aggitated, frightened or injured. No thanks.<br /><br />Your poem was a fine testiment to your friend. I am sure that your friend knows now exactly how you felt about him. He had to be a good man to have such a profound effect on you.

 

[deputydawg]

Re: Judgment Day for a Police Officer

Must be a worthless prosecutor to go around bashing the officers reputation like that...

 

[txswinner]

Re: Judgment Day for a Police Officer

Old, No offense intended, but in real world, DA or other prosecutor who does not speak to their witnesses before trial are incompetent and/or lazy. You always prep witnesses. No, you do not have them lie, but they should be prepared and the prosecutor must know what they know and to what they will testify.

 

[deeep water]

Re: Judgment Day for a Police Officer

how can you guys get so far off the path that the poem was written for ,, it would be just as good a poem if you used the word fireman or nurse ,

 

[txswinner]

Re: Judgment Day for a Police Officer

or lawyer