Remembering Their Heroes
by Jewell Washington
"If Kevin would have still been around we would have been about our business....he gave the ultimate sacrifice and I'm extremely proud of his service," said Spartanburg County's Sheriff Chuck Wright.
Wright was one of the many officers who attended the South Carolina Law Enforcement Memorial Wednesday at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. He came to remember and honor Deputy Kevin Earl Carper.
Carper was shot and killed in the line of duty last February while chasing a suspect.
Six other officers from around the state were killed in the line of duty last year. Dozens of officers, family, and friends came to reflect and remember their lives.
The ceremony included a color guard presentation of the national and state flag and a rifle salute.
Sheriff Chuck Wright and State Law Enforcement Division Director Reggie Lloyd read lessons from the Bible.
Sergeant Aqkwele Polidore sang in rememberance to the fallen soldiers and the dozens of other South Carolina officers who lost their lives in 2007.
Those who spoke and listened at the memorial agreed that praying for their loved ones and crying over them wasn't easy, but was necessary to remember and move on.
Sheriff Chuck Wright said it was nice to honor officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice while doing what they loved.
"Kevin gave his life and so did the others who died in the line of duty for people they don't know," said Wright, "it makes for a special person."
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC also plans to honor South Carolina's Deputy Carper.
Reach Washington at 803.254.2274
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