  The funeral lines were long, There's an awful lot of cars, Folks came out of the restaurants, They came out of the bars. The workers at the construction sites all let their hammers drop. Someone asked. "What is this all for?" And they said, "Aw, just a cop." Some chuckled at the passing cars. Some shed a silent tear, Some people said, "It's stupid," "all these dumb policemen here." "How come they are not out fighting crime ?" "Or in a doughnut shop ?" Sure is a lot of trouble, For someone who's just a cop." They blocked the intersections, They blocked the interstate. People yelled and cursed, "Dang, it's gonna make me late!" "This is really ridiculous!" "They're makin' us all stop!" "It seems they are sure wastin' time, On someone who's just a cop." Into the cemetery now, The slow procession comes, The woeful taps are slowly played. There's loud salutes from guns. The graveyard workers shake their heads "This service is a flop." "There's lots of good words wasted, On someone who's just a cop" Yeah, just a cop to most folks. Did his duty every day. Trying to protect us, Till they took his life away. And when he got to heaven, St. Peter put him at the top. An angel asked him, "Who was that?" And he said, "Aw, just a cop."  He hoped his shoes were shinning, Just as brightly as his brass. "Step forward now, Officer, How shall I deal with you ? Have you always turned the other cheek ? To my church have you been true ?" The officer squared his shoulder and said, "No, Lord, I guess I aint, Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint. I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was rough, And sometimes I've been violent Because the streets are tough. But I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep... Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got too steep. And I never passed a cry for help Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept an unmanly tear. I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They never wanted me around except to calm their fear. If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't... I'll understand. There was silence all around the throne, where the saints often trod. As the officer waited quietly for the judgment of his God. "Step forward now, Officer. You've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on heaven's streets, You've done your time in hell" John 15:16 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends   and a part of America died. A piece of our country he swore to protect Will be buried with him at his side. The suspect who shot him will stand up in court, With counsel demanding his rights, While a young widowed mother must work for her kids And spend alone many long nights. The beat that he walked was a battlefield,too. Just as if he'd gone off to war. Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half mast, To his name they will add a gold star. Yes, somebody killed a policeman today, It happened in your town or mine. While we slept in comfort behind closed doors, A cop put his life on the line. Now his ghost walks a beat on a dark city street, And he stands at each new rookie's side. He answered the call and gave us his all. And a part of America died. Author: Harry Koch (copied from Ann Landers column) A special kind of woman, a cut above the rest, That's a Police Officer's Wife, rating her best. How many goodbyes are whispered, joined with a fond embrace ? As duty steals her man, for the danger he must face. How often have meals been ruined - or tender moments disturbed, by a call for special duty, sparking loyalty unswerved ? It's a devil of a job, for an angel like this, Who, for the love of her man, must forsake that kiss, She can run a garden tractor, even paint a room in need, How she can stretch a dollar is a miracle indeed. She's mother, lover, chauffeur and nurse, A living symbol of: "for better or for worse." Rich is the man, reaping his rewards in life, Who chose to be the other half of A Police Officer's Wife. (Author Unknown)
  Bonita 2001-2002 |
