Police Week poem: Messages from a fallen officer

This poem is dedicated to the memory of our fallen brothers and sisters

May 13, 2013 05:26 AM •

Memorial messages on display at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial during National Police Week in May 2018.

As we commemorate National Police Week and solemnly remember those who have been killed in the line of duty, we present this memorial poem from the PoliceOne archives by PoliceOne columnist Dan Marcou.

No police officer ever leaves home at night thinking, “Tonight I’m going to be killed in the line of duty.” Yet the memorial wall is filled with the names of thousands of officers who did leave home, never to return.

What would they say if they were allowed one opportunity to send a short note to the significant people in their lives?

I’ve tried to put myself in the shoes of a fallen officer and construct words for those left behind after their tragic and sudden exodus. This poem is dedicated to the memory of our fallen brothers and sisters.

Messages from a Fallen Officer

To My Partner
You did all that you could, I fell and you stood.
You know sadness was never my style.
Those were the cards that we drew, nothing else more to do,
Except remember me, friend, with a smile.

To My Spouse
Don’t think me gone, but away, though I wish I could stay,
I’m not there, but our love did not end.
We had faith, we had love, sure as God is above
I feel your love from here that you send.

To My Children
I know for you it is hard to be alone in the yard
In that place where we laughed and we played.
My girl, my boy, know you still give me joy,
Live your life as I did, unafraid.

To Officers Left Behind
Each day you hit the street to cover your beat,
Prepare for the dangers you face.
Train hard, wear your vest, you’ll be put to the test.
Each day with your family embrace.

To the Criminals
Now that I’m here and God’s plan is so clear
To you, there is but one thing to say.
You steal, rape and kill and abuse your free will
Your time will come when there’s Hell to pay.

To All
I seem gone from you now, but I know that somehow
We will reunite in another place.
For “The good they die young,” is a song often sung,
But this verse is flawed on its face.

You see the good don’t die young, but instead, they live on,
In memories, and many a heart.
The good that you do does not die when you do.
For the good, death’s not an end, but a start.

This poem, originally published 05/13/2013, has been updated.

Lt. Dan Marcou

Lt. Dan Marcou is an internationally-recognized police trainer who was a highly-decorated police officer with 33 years of full-time law enforcement experience. Marcou’s awards include Police Officer of the Year, SWAT Officer of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year and Domestic Violence Officer of the Year. Additional awards Lt. Marcou received were 15 departmental citations (his department’s highest award), two Chief’s Superior Achievement Awards and the Distinguished Service Medal for his response to an active shooter.

Upon retiring, Lt. Marcou began writing. He is the co-author of “Street Survival II, Tactics for Deadly Encounters.” His novels, “The Calling, the Making of a Veteran Cop,” “SWAT, Blue Knights in Black Armor,” “Nobody’s Heroes” and “Destiny of Heroes,” as well as two non-fiction books, “Law Dogs, Great Cops in American History” and “If I Knew Then: Life Lessons From Cops on the Street.” All of Lt. Marcou’s books are all available at Amazon. Dan is a member of the Police1 Editorial Advisory Board.