Special Operations Group
Killed in the line of duty with partner Bruce Garrison
Patrolman William Charles Marsek and his partner, Patrolman Bruce N. Garrison were killed during an arrest of a wanted fugitive.
The two officers, assigned to Area Six Special Operations, observed the man enter a tavern. When the officers entered the tavern they could not see because of the poor lighting. As the officers moved further inside, the wanted subject opened fired, striking the officers in the head and chest.
The assailant fled to Wisconsin. He was killed in a gun battle with Milwaukee Police.
Police Officer's Prayer
God bless my family when I am away,
Leave the lights on I'll return from harms way,
Grant me courage and strength to protect others each day,
So they live in peace without worry, fear or dismay,
Bless those who have fallen given their life for another
May their spirit live on from then and forever,
Return me home to my family at the end of each night,
May I pass through the door before the morning's first light,
Shall I give my life for another before the dawn breaks today,
God bless my family when I am away.
"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.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
Killed in the line of duty with partner Bruce Garrison
Patrolman William Charles Marsek and his partner, Patrolman Bruce N. Garrison were killed during an arrest of a wanted fugitive.
The two officers, assigned to Area Six Special Operations, observed the man enter a tavern. When the officers entered the tavern they could not see because of the poor lighting. As the officers moved further inside, the wanted subject opened fired, striking the officers in the head and chest.
The assailant fled to Wisconsin. He was killed in a gun battle with Milwaukee Police.
Police Officer's Prayer
God bless my family when I am away,
Leave the lights on I'll return from harms way,
Grant me courage and strength to protect others each day,
So they live in peace without worry, fear or dismay,
Bless those who have fallen given their life for another
May their spirit live on from then and forever,
Return me home to my family at the end of each night,
May I pass through the door before the morning's first light,
Shall I give my life for another before the dawn breaks today,
God bless my family when I am away.
"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.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
Special Operations Group
Killed in the line of duty with partner Bruce Garrison
Patrolman William Charles Marsek and his partner, Patrolman Bruce N. Garrison were killed during an arrest of a wanted fugitive.
The two officers, assigned to Area Six Special Operations, observed the man enter a tavern. When the officers entered the tavern they could not see because of the poor lighting. As the officers moved further inside, the wanted subject opened fired, striking the officers in the head and chest.
The assailant fled to Wisconsin. He was killed in a gun battle with Milwaukee Police.
Police Officer's Prayer
God bless my family when I am away,
Leave the lights on I'll return from harms way,
Grant me courage and strength to protect others each day,
So they live in peace without worry, fear or dismay,
Bless those who have fallen given their life for another
May their spirit live on from then and forever,
Return me home to my family at the end of each night,
May I pass through the door before the morning's first light,
Shall I give my life for another before the dawn breaks today,
God bless my family when I am away.
"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.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
Killed in the line of duty with partner Bruce Garrison
Patrolman William Charles Marsek and his partner, Patrolman Bruce N. Garrison were killed during an arrest of a wanted fugitive.
The two officers, assigned to Area Six Special Operations, observed the man enter a tavern. When the officers entered the tavern they could not see because of the poor lighting. As the officers moved further inside, the wanted subject opened fired, striking the officers in the head and chest.
The assailant fled to Wisconsin. He was killed in a gun battle with Milwaukee Police.
Police Officer's Prayer
God bless my family when I am away,
Leave the lights on I'll return from harms way,
Grant me courage and strength to protect others each day,
So they live in peace without worry, fear or dismay,
Bless those who have fallen given their life for another
May their spirit live on from then and forever,
Return me home to my family at the end of each night,
May I pass through the door before the morning's first light,
Shall I give my life for another before the dawn breaks today,
God bless my family when I am away.
"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.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
