Do not stand at their graves and weep they do not sleep they are not there.
They are in a thousand black and whites that patrol the streets, the highways, the county roads, and in the shine of a thousand badges, shields, and stars worn on brown, green, and blue uniforms.
They are in the gold and silver buttons, the polished boots and leather, the colors of the merit badges, and the medals of valor worn on the chests of thousands of officers.
They are in the red and blue lights and the sirens that wail, running Code 3 to help someone they don’t even know, not caring whether they are rich or poor, their race or their creed.
They are in the little stuffed animals given to the children who are so afraid and abused.
They are in the night while you sleep and in the dawn when you awake and there to protect your children while they are away from your arms.
They live in the sacred words, “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of peace officer and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and of this state.”
So Help Me God!
They are there whenever an officer raises his hand and swears to tell the truth.
Do not stand at their graves and weep they do not sleep - they are not there.
They are in every note of the Star Spangled Banner, every salute, and in the stars and stripes of every American flag that flies.
They are there racing to back-up another officer who needs help and there when another officer just needs someone who understands.
They are in every salute; there whenever the bagpiper plays “Amazing Grace” and there in the roar of the 21-gun salute.
They are in every trumpeter’s lonely note as “TAPS” is played and echoes in our hearts.
And they are in the tears of their loved ones who so desperately miss them ……… and long to tell them just one more time, “Be safe. I love you”.
We honor them by speaking their names with reverence.
We honor them by also taking that sacred oath.
We honor them by protecting those who cannot protect themselves.
We honor them by wearing these badges.
They are in every breath we take and in every beat of every officer’s heart.
Do not stand at their graves and weep they do not sleep they are not there -
They are here.
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