The policeman stood and faced his God, which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman. How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek? To my church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders and said, "No Lord I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a Saint.
I've had to work most Sundays, and at times my work was rough.
Sometimes I have been violent, because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep.
I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't 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 never expected or had too much, but if you don't I'll understand."
There was a silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman, You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets you've done your time in
Hell."

--"Policeman's Heaven", Author: Unknown