[Verse]

OCSO DECOY (22 sec - piano swell + distant dog growl echo)

[Verse 1]

(38 sec)

I was your decoy, Olmsted County's own

Strapped in bite sleeves, leather heart of stone

Standing firm for what you showed me there

Two-thirty-eight PSI jaws and fire in the air

Fight or flight passed—I held still through the test

So you could own my trust, I gave my very best

[Pre-Chorus]

(22 sec)

Snap of teeth, the pull, the bruises echo still

Power of dog and man revealed against my will

No anger in me now, just memories that stay

Faith holds what time can't wash away

[Chorus]

(38 sec)

Every time I see your vehicles roll by

Pressed uniform and pinned badges gleam 'neath Midwest sky

Dog eyes flash in mine—truth I can't deny

I hear the lies again, but Christ keeps me alive

No hate from this heart, just scars that softly speak

From death of trust, His grace is all I seek

[Verse 2]

(45 sec)

State judges, attorneys, sellers vs us as buyers

Standing guard o'er pets' graves while fraud ran wild unchecked

We fought for sacred peace, eternal rest, and calm

Disturbing sister's ashes, cutting Willow's roots

Tree planted for her—you let the BURGLAR loose

Truth in bite reports you set aside from view

Feds saw all when justice finally broke through

[Pre-Chorus]

(22 sec)

Years taught me gently: trust rests not in man

But in the One who rose when all else ran

No bitterness grows here, just lessons carved in time

Grace redeems the ache, line by line

[Chorus]

(38 sec)

Every time I see your vehicles roll by

Pressed uniform and pinned badges gleam 'neath Midwest sky

Dog eyes flash in mine—truth I can't deny

I hear the lies again, but Christ keeps me alive

No hate from this heart, just scars that softly speak

From death of trust, His grace is all I seek

[Bridge]

(38 sec)

Think hard enough, those eyes still pull me through

Drive showed me strength—dog and handler too

Your lights, your voices stir the past awake

Calvary's truth no shadow can overtake

[Final Chorus]

(42 sec)

Every time I see your vehicles roll by

Pressed uniform and pinned badges gleam 'neath Midwest sky

Dog eyes flash in mine—truth I can't deny

I hear the lies again, but Christ keeps me alive (30 sec - slow fade)

I was your decoy—shadows follow me

But in His endless light, I finally see

Amen. Thank you Lord ahhhhmmmm amen

(ahhhhmmm mmmmmah sssshhhh - sshhhammm)

[Verse 3]

In every shadow, faith still shines so bright

Through darkest night, His love takes flight

With every breath, I choose to trust anew

In Him who holds my soul, come what may

[Chorus]

Every time I see your vehicles roll by

Pressed uniform and pinned badges gleam 'neath Midwest sky

Dog eyes flash in mine—truth I can't deny

I hear the lies again, but Christ keeps me alive

No hate from this heart, just scars that softly speak

From death of trust, His grace is all I seek(~90 sec - meditative chant with ambient swell)

Amen… ahhhmmm… amen. Grace be to God.

Thank You for healing me again, God. Ahhhmmm… amen.

Thank You for my German Shepherds—

Sheba, my shepherd-wolf of youth;

Dale, part legend (Don't Eat Bees!)—my left-side arm, always due left;

Dani—his sister, my right-side arm—your story still lives in my eyes.

Thank You to the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office

for allowing me to serve as your 90s decoy at my own crossroads.

Wearing the bite sleeve taught me the power of raw strength—

strength carried through your dogs, yet powered by God, Creator of all.

You trained me through fear and faith,

through cougars, bears, and rattlesnakes—through stalkers who came near.

You protected our family, and nothing was wasted.

Even when loyalty faded and your badge stayed bright,

You never forgot. Your plans were already written—

plans to strengthen, to heal, to rebuild.

Tonight, we take a moment to thank You, God—

Creator of all, source of mercy and might.

Forgiveness removes battle plans; peace returns to the heart.

May God Himself shine your badge tonight.

A sheriff's blessing carried on the wind,

a single K9 whistle rising, fading, returning—

a sound to remind you… you'll never be forgotten.

(Ambient close: wind softening, distant whistle echo, breath, and quiet…)

Ahhhmmm… Amen. Grace be to God. Ahhhhhhmmm…