Editor’s Note: In PoliceOne “Frst Person” essays, our Members and Columnists candidly share their own unique view of the world. This is a platform from which individual officers can share their own personal insights on issues confronting cops today, as well as opinions, observations, and advice on living life behind the thin blue line. This week’s feature is from P1 Member Stephen M. Carroll, Chief of Police for the Brownsburg (Ind.) Police Department. Chief Carroll tells PoliceOne that he was a guest speaker at this year’s Police Memorial Service in his county and “this poem just came to me the morning I was to make the speech.” Do you want to share your own perspective with other P1 Members? Send us an e-mail with your story.
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By Stephen M. Carroll
Chief of Police
Brownsburg Police Department
Brownsburg, Ind.
We are gathered here today
To honor our old friends,
To pay tribute to their families
Ensure their legacies never end.
They’ve rose up to take the calls
No matter what it was
When asked why they’d do it
Their reply was ‘just because’.
It wasn’t something debated on,
No reason had to be
They did it for their families
They did it for you and me.
They put their lives on the line
Every single day
It wasn’t for the glory
And sure not for the pay.
They wanted to make a difference
To make this a better place,
To be able to look their maker in the eye
Once they’ve ran their race.
And say “I’ve done the best I could
For all my fellow man
And now I’ve come up here with you
To give a helping hand.”
They’ve walked the walk and talked the talk
And now help watch over us
They don’t need today’s fanfare
They sure don’t want the fuss.
Just remember them for what they did
For all the world to see
They made this a better place
For all of you and me.
