Officer Down

by

Rick Bandy

They gathered
The long blue line
Of trembling shoulders.
Stoic faces tear-streaked.
Badges wrapped in black.
Silent for a brother fallen.

You stepped into harm’s way
Standing in the gap
Between innocence and death.
Just doing your job
You’d probably say.
But it was so much more
And at such great cost.
You gave it all that day.

Wounded and dying,
you got your man.
You answered the hail of gunfire.
Saved the lives of those
you’ll never get to meet.

They gathered on a cool gray day
To honor the price you paid.
Silent for a fallen brother.
Listening to the call.

Officer 214, respond.

Officer 214, respond.

Officer 214, please respond.

Officer down.

Marty Steinfeldt
Badge 214
Ferris, Texas
End of watch 6 October 2002

NEXT?
Why don't you look at Who Bit the Moon?
by: Diane Klammer
from: Shaw Island, WA, US

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