Patrolman Charles Alvin Snider Charleston Police Department South Carolina Friday, March 2, 1979  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

Officer Snider it has been 30 years since the end of your watch and you have not been forgotten. Rest in peace my brother.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables
2009-03-02

I must be getting old. I still remember the “Old City Jail,” that is long-gone from downtown Charleston. As a child I spent a lot of time listening to “Old Timers” tell tales of life as a cop in Charleston. The Charleston Police Department was the first agency I applied with for employment.

PM Bean was the second officially recorded Charleston Police Department officer murdered in the line-of-duty. Three suspects were later arrested, and apparently, PM Bean was shot and killed by a suspect whose only reason for shooting him was that the suspect was drunk (This was not the first person the suspect had murdered). The location of PM Bean’s murder was at the intersection of King Street and Columbus Street.

Interestingly nearly 80 years later, that location and surrounding area was known for its violence even when I was growing up in Charleston. In fact, in 1979, when I was still a teenager in college, I was attacked by a butcher knife – wielding (apparently deranged) woman, at the very intersection where PM Bean lost his life. PM Charles Snider was a street cop to whom I often spoke while he walked a foot beat on King Street. Later, in the same year that I was attacked, PM Charles Snider was shot and killed in what was considered “the good side of town,” on King Street, close to my college dorm……….

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD
2008-04-21

Patrolman Snider,
On today, the 29th anniversary of your murder, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Charleston. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

2008-03-02

"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.
2007-07-09

RIP Charles Alvin SNIDER-You never gave me a hard time for being such a "brat" at the College of Charleston....Semper Fi, M. B. P.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC/LAPD
2006-08-14

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA
2004-08-24

MY BROTHER, YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. A HERO NEVER IS. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. YOU SERVED WELL.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.
2004-03-02