When a police officer faces God

When a police officer faces God:

The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brigh tly as his brass.
"Step forward now you police man,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The police officer squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who fight crime,
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Becau se the streets are awfully tough
But, I never took a penny,
That wasn' t mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just 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 fears.
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 under stand."
There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the police officer waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God,
"Step forward now you police officer,
You've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You' ve done your time in Hell.