Police Chief Charles E. McNany was killed in the line of duty on July 13, 1957. His name is listed on the "wall of fame" at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
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He's my Partner
He's my other eyes that can see above the clouds,
My other ears that hear above the wind.
He is the part of me that can reach into the sea.
He has told me a thousand times over
that I am his reason for being,
By the way he rests his head against my leg,
By the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile,
I think it makes him sick with worry,
When he is not along with me.
When I am wrong he is delighted to forgive.
When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile.
When I am happy, he is joy unbounded.
When I am a fool, he ignores me.
When I succeed, he brags.
Without him I am only another man.
With him I am safe.
He has taught me the meaning of devotion.
He is loyalty itself.
With him I know a secret comfort and private peace.
He has brought me understanding,
Where before I was ignorant.
His head on my knee can cure human hurts.
His presence by my side is protection against
my fears of dark and unknown things.
And all he asks in return is a kind word,
a pat on the head,
and a fair chance to understand what is expected of him.
He has promised to unselfishly sacrifice his life for me,
so that each day when I go to work,
I can return home to my family... our family.
The only sacrifice he asks of me,
is when the times comes,
when life holds no more comfort,
when the sparkle in his eyes has dimmed,
that I too be unselfish and let him go.
That I be by his side just this once,
as he has been by mine countless thousands
of times before over the years.
That I comfort him as he goes into a peaceful,
painless sleep.
And one last time,
I will see for just a brief moment,
that sparkle in his eyes as he says,
"Thank you" and "Goodbye"
He is my partner
~Author Unknown~
Guardians of the Night
Trust in me my friend,
for I am your comrade.
I will protect you with my last breath
when all others have left you.
The loneliness of night closes in,
I will be at your side.
Together we will conquer all obstacles
and search out those who might harm others.
All I ask of you is compassion
and the caring touch of your hands.
Although our days together may be
marked by the passing of seasons,
I know that each day at your side is my reward.
My days are measured by your footsteps.
You are the voice of caring when I am ill.
The voice of authority when I am wrong.
Together we shall experience a bond
only others like us will understand.
Outsiders see us with envy.
I will quietly listen and pass no judgment,
nor repeat your spoken word.
I will remain silent and ever loyal.
When our time is done,
you move on in the world.
Remember me with kindness
and that nothing passed among us undetected.
If we should meet again on another street,
I will gladly take up your fight.
I am a Police Working Dog.
We are the guardians of the night.
~Author Unknown~
The Final Inspection
The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges
Can't always be a saint."
"I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was rough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough."
"But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills just got too steep."
"And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears."
"I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear."
"If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much.
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was silence all around the throne
Where saints had often trod,
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman.
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."
~Author Unknown~
Blood Upon the Shield
Confrontation in an alley.
The Centurion does not yield.
But this time the good guy loses;
there is blood upon the shield.
And the mournful sounds of bagpipes
play out across the land,
drowned out by the sobs
of a lonely young wife
and a child too young to understand.
While the killer pleads his case in court,
the thin blue line is one man short.
And we're one step closer to society's fall;
another cop's name is engraved on the wall.
Another state funeral, with an army in blue,
and we know it could've been me and it
could've been you.
We all look ahead
to what the future has in store,
front line troopers in a country that's at war.
At war with itself and at war with its cops
and we're out the everyday
'cause the battle never stops.
It's not the way it is on TV shows
or like we learned in school;
no cool music in the background,
no playing by the "rules".
We're disillusioned warriors,
but for right we'll always strive.
We just pray
that at the end of our stress-filled day
we'll get back home alive.
You stand out on the corner,
ignoring the insults and the stares,
close to the point of believing
that no one really cares,
when a six year old boy walks over
after watching you for a while,
reaching out to shake your hand,
on his face a friendly smile.
To him you are a hero,
a protector of our land, and he wants
to learn about you,
as a cop and as a man.
And when he asks you why your badge
is covered by a black elastic band,
tell him about your Brother -
A cop who made a stand.
~Randolph Liebec - President, NJ #27~