While a young widowed mother must work for her kids,
and spend many long lonely nights
The beat that he walked was a battlefield too,
Just as if he'd 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
Yep, somebody killed a Policeman today,
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 a 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.