A Tribute and Prayer for all Police Officers

THE POLICEMAN STOOD AND FACED HIS GOD,
WHICH MUST ALWAYS COME TO PASS.
HE HOPED HIS SHOES WERE
SHINING BRIGHTLY AS HIS BRASS.

"STEP FORWARD. NOW OFFICER, HOW
SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU?
HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER CHEEK?
TO MY CHURCH HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE?"

THE OFFICER REPLIED, SQUARED HIS SHOULDERS
AND SAID, "NO,LORD, I GUESS I AIN'T.
CAUSE THOSE OF US WHO CARRY BADGES
CAN'T ALWAYS BE A SAINT.

BUT I NEVER TOOK A PENNY THAT WASN'T MINE
TO KEEP,
THOUGH I WORKED A LOT OF OVERTIME WHEN
THE BILLS GOT TOO STEEP.

AND I NEVER PASSED A CRY FOR HELP,
THOUGH AT TIMES I SHOOK WITH FEAR.
AND SOMETIMES,GOD FORGIVE ME, I WEPT
UNMANLY TEARS.

I KNOW I DONT 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'VE NEVER EXPECTED OR HAD TOO MUCH.
BUT IF YOU DON'T I'LL UNDERSTAND. "

THERE WAS SILENCE ALL AROUND THE THRONE
WHERE THE SAINTS HAD OFTEN TROD.
AS THE OFFICER WAITED QUIETLY FOR THE
ANSWER OF HIS GOD.

"STEP FORWARD NOW,OFFICER,YOU'VE BORNE
YOUR BURDENS WELL.
COME WALK A BEAT ON HEAVENS STREET,
YOU'VE DONE YOUR TIME IN HELL.”

-AUTHOR- UNKNOWN