Somebody killed a police officer today

and a part of America died....

A piece of our country he swore to protect

Will be buried with him at his side.

The beat that he walked was a battlefield, too,

just as if he had gone off to war;

Though the flag of our nation won�t fly at half-mast

To his name they will add a gold star.

The suspect that shot him will stand up in court

with counsel demanding his rights,

While a young, widowed mother must work for his kids

and spend many long, lonely nights.

Yes, somebody killed a police officer today...

Maybe in your town or mine,

While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors

A cop put his life on the line.

Now his ghost walks the beat on a dark city street,

And he stands at each new rookie�s side;

He answered the call...of himself gave his all,

And a part of America died...