Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I worked with Chucky for his entire tenure at Beckley PD. Chucky was a fine and dedicated officer and always a good friend. Chucky was always there when you needed him. I enjoyed playing numerous rounds and tournaments on the golf course with him. He will be truly missed by his family, friends, co-workers and anyone that ever met him. Chucky was what a police officer should be. Dedicated and true to the badge. He was a brother to us all.

Sgt. Chuck Ragland
Beckley Police Department/friend

August 30, 2006

REST IN PEACE BROTHER. YOU ARE A TRUE HERO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION, SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND DEPARTMENT.

Deputy Davis
Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office

August 30, 2006

Even though I only knew Chuck for a short while, on occasion I had the good fortune to experience his kindness and humor. May God be with you and yours in this impossible time of grief.

Sgt. Michael Hopkins
Raleigh County Sheriff's Dept.

August 30, 2006

My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and friends. My God look over you and keep your family safe. Bless you for the work that you were doing. Being a Police Officer is the noblest profession.

Detective Lee S. Doll
Colorado Springs Police Dept Netro Vice, Narcotic's and Intell Unit

August 30, 2006

Thoughts and prayers to the family. It is another sad day when a hero is taken from us.

TB
Indiana State Police

August 30, 2006

As a fellow narcotics officer, I thank you for your dedication to the job. without you the streets would be worse and innocent would suffer. Thank you for a job well done and rest in peace..........your bravery will always be remebered and you will never be forgotten. God bless the Smith family and know that he is always watching over all of us.

Detective Sergeant Matt L. Rudiger
Deming PD

August 30, 2006

To the family and loved ones of Corporal Smith: I am so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine the pain you are feeling, when I am feeling such sorrow for you and I didn't even know Charles. His job was a difficult one, and those who would take his life shall surely 'feel' the consequences of their actions, either in this life or the next. They will know the impact one day. God is a just God...know that. I pray for peace in your family and that you are surrounded by loved ones and cared for during this time. I pray for all the fellow officers at Beckley PD. May God lift their hearts to be able to carry on.

God be with you all.

Lewisville, TX. Peace Officer

August 30, 2006

Rest in Peace fallen brother.

Chris Gardner
Union CO. Sheriff's Department El Dorado, Ark

August 30, 2006

I am so very sad. May God help you thru this, as he has helped me for so many years.

Chief James Ford
Ansted Police Department

August 30, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and the Beckley Police Department.

Fallen but never forgotten.

Officer Bryan Laurie #1251
Haltom City Police, Tx

August 30, 2006

Your courage, and your determination to go beyond the norm is what has inspired me to become the officer that I am today. We were not only brothers of the badge , but we made a difference in the lives of many kids and players as coaches. Even though you're gone, you will never be forgotten.


THE CHAIN WILL LINK AGAIN


We little knew that morning,
That, God was going to call your name.
In life we loved dearly,
In death, we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you,
You did not go alone;
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories,
Your love is still our guide;
And though we cannot see you,
You are always at our side.

Our department chain is broken,
And nothing seems the same;
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again.

CPL. Mark Larkin
Beckley Police Department

August 30, 2006

Chuck and I shared a common bond of being former athletes from the same High School, former Marines, and "Brothers" of the Badge. We joked, we argued, and we laughed... through the good and bad, we shared a special bond and remained friends & "brothers". As I reflect on Chucky's life and tragic death, I am reminded of these scriptures:

John 15:13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 13:4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Romans 13:6-7For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

On this day I pray you receive the honor and tribute that you deserve my friend. You will not be forgotten!

T.E.

Tom Bowers
Beckley FD & former Beckley PD (10 yrs)

August 30, 2006

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Tom Bowers
Beckley FD & former Beckley PD (10 yrs

August 30, 2006

A Letter From Heaven

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say;
But first of all to let you know, that I arrived OK.

I'm writing this from Heaven where I dwell with God above;
Here there's no more tears of sadness, only eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy because I'm out of sight;
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon, and night.

That day I had to leave you, when my life on earth was through; God picked me up and hugged me, and He said, "I welcome you". He reunited me with others there who I had loved on Earth, many who had loved me since the time of my birth.

"It's good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone. As for your beloved family, they'll be here later on. I need you here so badly, you are a part of my plan. There is so much that we can do, to help our mortal man".

God gave me a list of things that He wished for me to do; And foremost on the list was to watch and care for all of you.

When you lie in bed at night with the day's chores put to flight; God and I are closest to you in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth and all those loving years; Because you are only human, they are going to bring you tears.

Do not be afraid to cry, it helps relieve the pain. Remember as some poet said, "There would be no flowers without the rain".

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned, but if I were to tell you, you would not understand.

But, one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er; I am closer to you NOW, than I ever was before.

There are rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb; but TOGETHER WE CAN DO IT by taking one day at a time.

If you can help somebody who is in sorrow and in pain; Then you can say to God at night... "My day was not in vain".

And now I am content... that my life was worthwhile; knowing as I passed along the way, I made you and others smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low; Just lend a hand to pick them up as on your way you go.

When you're walking down the street and you've got me on your mind; I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to leave... from Earth to be free; Remember you're not leaving... You're coming here to me.

August 30, 2006

I am from West Virginia and will always consider it my home. Thank you for your service to that great state. Our thoughts and prayers will be with your loved ones.

Law Enforcement Training Instructor
KY Department of Criminal Justice Training

August 30, 2006

May your family and friends find strength in the reflections left by your extended family. I pray your spirit had a joyous homecoming and "Rest high on the mountain" Almost heaven West Virginia will have another angle watching from the peaks.

D/Sgt. Vence WoodsS
Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality-Office of Criminal Invest.

August 30, 2006

"The dead cannot cry out for justice; it is a duty of the living to do so for them."
Lois McMaster Bujold, Diplomatic Immunity, 2002

There is no better or more fitting tribute to a man who has dedicated and given his life to making our world a better place in which to live than to carry on the good works that he did. We shall all be eternally grateful for the sacrifice that he made.

Mark M. Neil
WV Prosecuting Attorneys Institute

August 30, 2006

My family would like to express our deepest sympathy to the family, friends, and fellow officers of Det. Cpl. Charles Smith. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May he rest in peace and never be forgotten.

Sgt. W. J. Ray Jr.
Beckley Police Dept

August 30, 2006

Though I only knew you in passing, I was honored to have known you and the bravery you shown in the job you did. As I sit here this morning watching my son and daughter playing, I can't keep from crying for your loss and the fact that you will not be able to do the same with your daughter. I want you to know your daughter will want for nothing as long as she always remembers that now we are there for her as we always was for you. Rest in peace brother, you will always remain with me!

Sr. Trooper
West Virginia State Police

August 30, 2006

Rest in Peace. Always Remembered.

Dy M. Martin
St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office LA

August 30, 2006

My deepest sympathies go out to the Smith family and the entire Beckley Police Dept. I watched the news in sadness and shock as I learned of the passing of Detective. Smith. This hits close to home as I have been to Beckley many times and know what an excellent police dept. that they have. When I went to college for criminal justice on of my instructors was a Detective. from the Beckley Police Dept. and was an excellent instructor and detective. This is truly a sad and tragic losses that will be felt around the state, I have many friends that are police officers and have rode around with them many times and know the dangers they face a day to day basis and have the utmost respect for every law enforcement officer. That’s why Detective Smith was the best of the best and paid the ultimate sacrifice trying to make Beckley a safer place and for that he will never be forgotten. People don’t realize what officers do and how they put their lives on the line everyday until one falls in the line of duty. On behalf of the WV Division of Juvenile Services know that our thoughts and prayers are with Detective Smith’s family and the Beckley Police Dept. in this time of need and sorrow. Detective Charles (Chucky) Smith was an outstanding officer that did his job to the fullest and was a hero here on earth that was taken from us way to early, Smith your fellow brothers will take if from here; the law enforcement and corrections community has lost another brother.
It’s now how this officer died that made him a hero it’s how he lived everyday that made him a hero.

R.I.P Detective Smith
God Bless

Correctional Officer I
WV Division of Juvenile Services

August 30, 2006

Chucky is a true hero, and will never be forgotten. My deepest condolences go out to his friends, family, and coworkers. It takes a special type of person to do what he did. Rest in peace.

Andy, Narcotics Detective
Baltimore City Police

August 30, 2006

Peace be with you now my brother. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. Your co-workers, family and friends will be in my prayers. Enjoy your rewards in Heaven. Rest in Peace my brother. Until we meet at the gates.....

Trooper
Kansas Highway Patrol

August 30, 2006

~Rest in Peace Blue Angel~

August 30, 2006

Without dedicated officers such as you, all of society would suffer. Rest In Peace Brother, you are in His hands now. May God Bless your wife and daughter. Our thoughts and prayers go out to every member of the Beckley PD.

Bob French
Chesterfield, Va. Sheriffs Office

August 30, 2006