Officer Down Memorial Page

I was a 15 year old driver's ed student at AHS that summer in the first class of the day (something like 5:30 or 6am-it was still dark). The administration decided to have us walk over to the wreckage and watch the police interview the driver of the postal truck. The police car was still there, but we were told Officer Hanking was transported to the hospital, but had passed away. It was such a tragedy. I'm 33 now, and have never forgotten. I've driven by the site a few times since noticing the memorial--I'm glad it's there. :) I'm sorry for the family's loss, but thankful in a way to have been exposed to a piece of the accident. I know I'm a more cautious driver as a result of the experience with a much greater respect for semis and crossing intersections than I would have been had I not seen it first hand. Even in death, he was educating and helping the community.

a girl
March 7, 2012

I remember when Craig passed away. It was it a little over two months before my father, Arlington Officer Tom Albers passed away. Craig was on the way to back my Dad up on a burglary call.
I remember the great respect my Dad had for Craig.
He will always be missed and remembered.

Officer Erica Albers
June 11, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
January 30, 2008

As we learn and prepare to serve this great city, may we always remember the trails you blazed and the sacrifice you made. Thank you, Sir.

Recruit Class 35
Arlington PD
September 9, 2007

I never had the opportunity to meet you, but have heard your story many times. You are gone, but never forgotten.

Special Agent
NCIS-former APD officer
August 3, 2007

Just wanted you all to know that Craig was remembered this past summer at the Martin high School class reunion. He was a good friend to us all.

old friend
March 26, 2007

Craig, you were the only BIG brother I ever had. There is rarely a day that I do not think of you and the happiness that you brought my Cindy, the happiness you still bring to her. I am so happy to have shared so many moments of your too, too short life. You were larger than life to me. You are not, however, larger than heaven and I will see you there. I will remember... Kaya, Tucker & Blue; Fiji's and Chi-O's; meeting Blake; "does this mean you are going to stop dating other people;" your mother, FLO, THE B/W towell (still have it) on the DASH of THE CAR (Cowboy colors), FBC Arlington, your brother's motorcycle stories, saying goodbye, your wedding, living with your fiancee (and sometimes you with your fiancee), your lectures, my brother and you, your eyes, your smile, your Godliness, the "Jenny Craig" talk, your taste in music, the way you looked at Cindy, the way you didn't look at anyone else, Joel, Tory, Mike, Amy, your amazing father, the way you really couldn't dance on the dance floor, the way you rocked hard to the music, the way I respected you, your legacy, OF COURSE your hair.... HOW HAPPY YOU MADE....ACTUALLY MAKE....MY VERY, VERY BEST FRIEND AND HER VERY BEST FRIEND(S) FOREVER! L

Weems
A Friend
October 10, 2004

It has been seven years. I am proud to have been your wife and friend. You were an outstanding example to all who knew you. We love and miss you. We only hope our kids will be as wonderful as you were. Cindy Hanking Miller (married to Lt. Blake Miller and kids Craig and Carlee)

Cindy Hanking Miller
Arlington

I was not with the department during your time of service. But when I did come, people were still grieving your loss and still are. I now understand why. This is a big family here, and when one member of the family is lost, it causes pain we before could not have imagined. We know that you, Terry, Jerry, and Joey are looking down on us all now. We hope we can be the bright lights in others lives as you all were. Your spirits live on in those who knew you.

Two months ago I lost the same officer and friend as Anne did above (Anne and I are close friends). Joey was like more like a big brother figure than an adult to everyone. When I saw Craig Michael Hanking's name, I clicked on it. He was a year younger than Joey was at the time of death and he looked like a happy, energetic, positive, upbeat, funny person like our Joey. I'm sure they have met Up Above. I read Craig's wife's Reflection and I just want to tell her how strong she and her children are. When I received the news, my world fell apart (I am only starting to patch it back together a little but it is still in shambles), and I cannot imagine the next seven years without Joey in the world. I don't know how I am going to do it. I am so proud of Craig's family, even though I've never met them, for wading through the pain for seven years and coming out okay and cherishing Craig's blessed memory. It's always terrible when an officer falls because they are some of the purest people you will ever meet. Obviously I've never met Craig but he looks like a great person, and that only makes deaths more painful. I just want to offer my condolences to the family and friends of a great man.

Casey

I recently lost a very close friend ( a brother) who was
an Arlington officer. I know how hard it is to lose some
one so close who did something so incredible for our
city to protect our world, after Joey's funeral I now know
how much a nation loses when it loses an officer. I pray
for those who suffered this loss, I now know what it's
like to lose someone so close and so important.

Anne