Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Chief of Police Thurston F. Meeks

New Ellenton Police Department, South Carolina

End of Watch Wednesday, June 7, 1961

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Reflections for Chief of Police Thurston F. Meeks

Rest in peace Chief of Police Meeks.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 29, 2019

really times has passed but my mama and grandma remember you but i was and little girl but i remember the kind words they spoke about you and i really want to let you know that even through i was only and child but they told me alot of story about you but to here things you've did for the new ellenton citizen but you are and hero for my family one thing my mother told me you were and good fearing man

Celestine Dunbar
1968

July 6, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 8, 2015

IN HONORE CASORUM
The promise: Always honored, never forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

June 7, 2015

My dad, RJ Cooper was the constable here at that time. I spent alot of time around Mr. Meeks. He was a kind and loving soul, with a wonderful sense of humor. He was an excellent role model for all. I was about eight years old and it was the first time I knew the permanence of death. I cried so hard when daddy told me Mr. Meeks had been killed. Later, I found out that my daddy was one of the first people in the house in which his murder occurred. I am so glad some of you let me know abit more about what happened. RIP Mr. Meeks, I loved you so!

Ann
a friend

January 20, 2014

You are not forgotten.RIP.

Anonymous

October 7, 2008

I never met my grandfather. In all honesty, I didn't find out how he died until after my father, his youngest son, died in 1993.

Knowing my Father and my Uncles, and what I've heard about my Grandfather over the past decade, it's plain to see that he was a good man.

I'm proud to see such a memorial for him.

Nicole Meeks
granddaughter

August 22, 2007

"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.

July 10, 2007

Forty-five years after the end of your watch you are still remembered. You are a hero. Thank you for your service to your fellowman. Rest in peace my brother.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables

June 7, 2006

Forty-five years after the end of your watch you are still remembered. You are a hero. Thank you for your service to your fellowman. Rest in peace my brother.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables

June 7, 2006

I was one of several SC Highway Patrol officers who responded to the city of New Ellenton the night Chief Meeks was murdered. The killer had to be removed from Aiken County for fear the citizens of that small town might try take matters in their own hands. Chief Meeks was highly respected and very popular among the citizens of New Ellenton. If memory serves correctly, he was shot through his police badge as he approached the back steps of a home where he had responded to requests for help from an abused spouse many times prior to that hot June night in 1961. Chief Meeks was a very fine police officer who upheld the highest standards of law enforcement across this great nation. His contributions to law and order have not been forgotten. May God bless his family.

Special Agent David Barrineau - Retired
U.S. Treasury Dept., ATF

December 27, 2005

Three days after your death, I was born. May God bless you.

Teresa Goss
Co-chair SHaDco Zone 4

August 5, 2005

MAY GOD BLESS. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER. GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTRN.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RETIRED
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

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