Calling all police poets! Police1’s poetry column highlights some of the inspirational, moving and funny poems authored by our readers.
This poem comes from Chief Ramon D. Gonzalez, a Marine Corps veteran who has spent 19 years in law enforcement and now leads the La Joya (Texas) Police Department. Throughout his career, he has served in nearly every role — patrol officer, sergeant, lieutenant, investigator and K-9 handler — experiences that have shaped both the leader he is today and the burdens he has carried.
“More than the Badge” is a reflection of that journey. Chief Gonzalez writes about the weight officers often shoulder quietly, the emotional toll that builds as they focus on helping others while neglecting their own well-being. His poem is a reminder that strength includes acknowledging struggle, and that taking care of yourself is not a weakness but a necessity.
Through his words, Chief Gonzalez encourages officers to pause, breathe and recognize the value of their own health — because no one can serve at their best while running on empty.
Email your original poem for consideration to editor@police1.com.
More Than the Badge
Written by Ramon D. Gonzalez
Your badge shines bright, but the toll is deep,
You carry the pain, though it’s hard to keep.
You see the worse, hear the cries, feel the pain,
But you push through it, again and again.
The sirens wail, the chaos spins,
And though you’re present, you’re lost within.
Incidents haunt, but you push them aside,
Admitting the truth feels like you’ve died.
Health slips away, but the work drags on,
The silence deepens, your strength feels gone.
You hold it in, but the truth’s hard to face
Without your well-being, you will lose the race.
So breathe, step back, you did your best,
Admit you’re human, now let your heart rest.
The road you walk is harder than most,
But you can’t give your all as a ghost.
