Kindness passes down through generations
Love, death and undying loyalty has brought a poem written years ago into the hands of Gilmer’s law enforcement services.
“It began seven or eight years ago when our friend moved to Ellijay,” Joyce Barrett said.
On Wednesday, June 24, she and her friend Jodi Beauregard distributed 250 printed copies of a poem titled “A Policeman’s Prayer.”
They hope the poem will encourage the men and women working for Gilmer law enforcement and bring them closer to Jesus.
“That’s our main goal,” Barrett said. “And if it does that for any of these officers, then we’re successful.”
The poem was first written by poet Mabel Degeneste.
Degeneste had a police officer that was very dear to her, Barrett said.
“She wrote it for that person,” she said. “It was a very personal story.”
Although Degeneste has since died, her daughter, Noraye Hinds, chose to carry on her legacy by giving copies of her poem to law enforcement departments across the country.
Together, Barrett, Hinds and Beauregard would send letters including the poem to the families and loved ones of law enforcement officers who lost their lives.
Sometimes, the trio got letters back from police chiefs back.
“Their officers were so happy to know that there were people who cared and were praying for them,” Barrett said.
Since that time, Hinds has also died.
Barrett and Beauregard were close friends with her, and chose to carry on her legacy.
“I would like to see one of these prayer cards in the pocket of every policeman in the United States,” Barrett said.
When the pair called Ellijay Police Department (EPD) Chief Edward Lacey about their idea, he said it was good.
Together, they have given this poem to the EPD, the East Ellijay Police Department and the Gilmer County Sheriff’s office.
“We deeply appreciate your service and commitment to keeping the communities of Gilmer County safe. We would like to share this prayer with your officers in the hope that it brings them comfort as they carry out their daily duties serving and protecting our communities,” the pair wrote in a letter to Gilmer’s three law enforcement institutions.
The poem follows:
A Policeman’s Prayer
As I don my cap each morn
The first Salute to Thee I give
To thank and praise Your Holy Name
Another day – please let me live.
As I check my artillery
So let me check my soul with Thee
Love and compassion have
And remember Your Humility.
As I uphold the law
Help me right judgements to employ
To give the other man a fair shake
For it’s not my job – his soul to take.
As I lay to rest at night
Please let my thoughts rest in Thee.
For without You I can’t be right
Oh Lord live Your life through me.