The Training Center Tribute to Fallen Officers
By Mike Simmons
A Wall of Honor stands at the George Stone Criminal Justice Training Center in Pensacola, Florida. Listed on the wall is the story of each of the sixty-six officers in West Florida who have given their lives in the line of duty. Two more recently discovered, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 and an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy, will soon be added to the wall. It stands as a tribute to remind our students, officers, and citizens of the price that was paid for their safety. At this time of Thanksgiving let us be thankful for the sacrifice made for us.
We buried a hero today
As I entered, sadness flowed over me
Somber was the room; grave it seemed to be
As I looked around, I saw a legion
Shields draped in black; dressed in noble fashion
Some were old-timers, regal in their seat
Others were younger, standing on their feet
They were all together; what caused them to be?
One of their number had fallen, you see
Braving the dangers, daily facing crime
Doing his duty, cut down in his prime
At the front of the church were two sentries
Faces of granite with integrity
Watching with honor and guarding the best
Lying in a prominent, flag-draped chest
A closer look, however, showed slight tears
As they laid to rest a comrade of years
“We pay tribute here” the minister said
Then a passage from the Bible he read
“Greater love hath no man than this
that he lay down his life for his friend”
To the family he spoke words of peace
He knows, like they, the pain will never cease
His presence they would never again gain
But peaceful words gave comfort through their pain
The hero was moved to the waiting car
The blue lights started for the journey far
The procession left the church, it was slow
To the warrior’s last place he would ever go
They arrived; the peaceful place seemed darker
Guarded by many silent gray markers
Officers lined at the side of the grave
A last farewell to their comrade so brave
The hearse opened; the command, “Attention!”
Silence filled the air; no word, no mention
The words were few; the feeling was downcast
What seemed like forever soon came to pass
The flag was minded with caution each fold
Presented with love more precious than gold
“Prepare for gunfire;” thus came the warning
The shock of the guns cut through the mourning
The bagpipes were heard from so far away
Was it “Amazing Grace,” the song at play?
Next came TAPS, so familiar, Twenty-four
Those few notes so common to all, no more
From the police radios came a tone
It struck each officer to the bone
It shouted the command to be aware
“Stop what you are doing; listen, take care!”
Then came the voice, calling for the soldier
The waves were silent; there was no answer
The plea was repeated over, you see
There was no reply; there never will be
Then come the words, “he is home – he’s not here”
The radio went silent to the ear
May you rest in peace, Sir
We have the watch