The Man Behind The Badge

You think you know them, but I wouldn't be to sure.

I Met This One On The Worst Day Of My Life

I mean that literally, and it will be the worst day of my life, until they put me in ashes, and bury me in the cemetery.

Detective Billy Joe

That's what they called him, well he was called that because everyone knew him, but I will leave his last name out of the article, because I don't want him to get a reputation of being a softie.

The Night That Changed My Life Forever

It was 3:30am, and there was a knock at our door. My son was late, very late, and we were contemplating calling the police, and finally a knock at our door. My husband thought, "Thank God he is home safely, I must have locked him out", but that wasn't the case.

There was five official looking men at our front door, and the first thing he noticed, was the shiny badges that sat on the top of each of their pants. He instinctively asked, "Is my son okay", and he got a sick feeling like someone punched him, when the Sgt, asked, "Can we come in?" After the notification was given on the porch, because my husband wouldn't let them in, my husband called to me from the living room.

Come and help me, "Ricky is Dead!!! I screamed "NO NO NO!!!!! and came running from the bedroom, after hearing the people in the living room, I thought Rick had come home safely, and I yelled, "Ricky come get your puppy, but my husband answered instead.

There was 5 officers from the Delaware State Police, that night, four men and one woman. They were standing on my birthday gift, an oriental rug my son had gotten me as an early birthday gift before he left for work that afternoon.

Billy Joe stood there with his hands folded in front of him, as all of them did. He only answered one question of mine, for he let the Sgt, and the Captain do most of the talking. The question, he answered was "Is someone going to pay for this?? His answer was quick and short, - he simply said, "YES!!!!

Little did he know how we would get to know each other after that, or that I would be a part of the weekly briefing at the Delaware State Police. He had no idea, that this 64 year old Mom, would go where no other family member had gone,in Kent County Delaware. That this 64 year old mother who was crumbling in tears in her living room, that night would have gone out to one of the worst areas in Delaware in search of her son's killer.

He was a crusty detective with a rough voice, but his kindness showed through even then. He once asked me if I was a person of faith and to lean on that faith. I told him I was but I had to find the person that killed my baby.

This detective, did a great job of juggling the orders of his superiors, and dealing with me, I admit that was no easy feat. I was a woman with a mission of justice, and I will quote a retired officer of the police, "I was like a tick on a dog, I wouldn't give up until the killer was found."

Detective Billy Joe

I got to know him, and he got to know me. He retired from illness before my son's killer was found, and left me to my dismay with the Sgt. in charge. I never appreciated him so much until after he left. When there was a break in the case, he came clad in blue jeans and tennis shoes, retired, to my house to tell me the details.

A Decade Later

He still surprises me, with his kindness. I will tell you what I have found out.

1. He has a soft spot for animals even birds, as I do myself.

2. He helps his neighbors, and friends to the tune of mowing their grass, when a friend of his had cancer.

3. He even has a soft spot for trees, and a sentimental spot for the tree that was planted at his house 28 years ago, his boys grew up with. And his 15 year old dog, probably peed on, and that is very important to dogs.

4. He even took an active role in helping a police officer apprehend a shop lifter, strattling him, and helping the officer get the handcuffs on him. What can I say,- once a cop - always a cop.

Although I know I got in his way a lot with my flyers and his investigation, he was always kind to me and understanding, and to this day understands why I took an active role in looking for my son's killer.

I Bet To This Day He Would Do The Same Thing If It Was One Of His Kids

I Am Not The Only One That Respects Billy Joe

Before you judge, get to know -- The Man Behind The Badge- You Might Be Surprised.