VERSE 1: Alright, here we go. This is my mic drop and I’ll be honest—with what I’ve seen, not sure where my faith lies But I know something bigger than me watched over my life Twenty-three years old, standing at the academy gate Didn’t know what waited, didn’t know the weight But I knew I wanted purpose, wanted something real To serve, to protect, to matter—that’s the deal Forty years later, standing here today Cost me marriages, cost me sleep, cost me in every way Cost me peace of mind, cost me more than I can say But you ask me if I’d do it all again? Every. Single. Time. (Choir: “Every time!”) You got one life—why not use it to serve? (Choir: “Use it to serve!”) Pre-Chorus: Because this badge gave me more than it ever took away Chorus: I’d choose it again, every shift, every call The gridiron, the pebbles, the price of it all I’d choose it again—the brotherhood, the mission, the fight Providing for my family, serving day and night Learning skills few will ever know, seeing what few will see Standing in the gap between chaos and community Yeah, it cost me plenty, but it gave me so much more I’d choose it again—I’d walk right through that door Verse 2: This profession let me raise my boys with a roof overhead Food on the table, opportunities, a life well-fed Gave them chances I never had The paycheck mattered, yeah, but more than that—I’m glad I got to serve communities throughout the state Palmdale, Lennox, Temple, right out of the gate Between harm and safety, between fear and peace Every shift a chance to give someone relief Bridge: I learned to read a room in seconds, learned to talk a man down Learned to run toward danger when everyone runs out of town Learned to manage crisis, learned to lead through pain Learned resilience, learned compassion—lessons most will never gain I learned what matters when the margins get thin Learned to train the beast, learned to dig deep within Learned that strength isn’t toughness, it’s showing up again Learned that “got your six” means more than just covering your partner’s back Verse 3: Yeah, I lost some battles—marriages that didn’t last Lost some sleep, lost some years I can’t get back Lost some brothers, carried pebbles, felt the weight But I gained a family in blue that won’t dissipate I got to stand for something bigger than myself Got to be the help when someone needed help Got to see the gratitude in a victim’s eyes Got to know I mattered when it mattered most—no lies Final Chorus: I’d choose it again, every shift, every scar The pride of the badge, the weight of who we are I’d choose it again—the cost, the calling, the fight Raising my family, battling wrong and serving right Learning skills few will master, seeing humanity raw Standing between the broken and the law Yeah, it took its toll, but look at what it gave Purpose, meaning, brothers—I’d choose it every day Outro: So to the young deputy standing at the gate today Wondering if it’s worth it, if you’ll find your way Yeah, it’ll cost you—it’ll cost you plenty, that’s true But it’ll give you purpose, give you pride, give you proof That your life mattered, that you stood for something real That you served your community, that you learned to feel The weight and the honor, the burden and the crown I’d choose it again—I’d choose this badge, hands down I’d choose it again Every call, every year I’d choose it again That’s why I’m still here Forty years and counting Still proud to serve I’d choose it again It’s more than I deserve So yes, I’d do it all again
