Deputy Sheriff Kevin Carper Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office South Carolina Tuesday, February 27, 2007  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 162 of 163 of 164 of 165 of 166 of 167 of 168 of 169 of 1610 of 1611 of 1612 of 1613 of 1614 of 1615 of 1616 of 16

I sing karoake a lot and was thinking the other day of how I got started. You guessed it, Keven had dared me to sing while we were in Key West. I told him I would sing with him and he signed us up. When they called our names he had dissappeared. It was fun even though I sang by myself. He teased me along with the rest of the group that was there for aircraft support. Funny how something so unrelated can relate. Anyway, thinking about you brother. You will never be forgotten.

Sgt Ron Hankinson
Escambia County, FL / Friend
2009-07-20

Kevin,

only if we could say hello

only if you could say your OK, not to worry

only if the world would change, and could say Thank You for your service

Kevin only if

you are loved and missed to no end
love and miss you for-ever more
love your sis
Amanda

Amanda Sweeney
Sister
2009-06-04

Kevin,

Thinkin of the good times and remembering the sacrafice paid. Take care old friend.

Sgt Ron Hankinson
Escambia County S.O./Friend
2009-05-27

Kevin,

I had to make two weeks worth of daily trips to and from York County this month, which took me through the whole of Spartanburg County on I-85. Every day, I saw your bridge and memorial marker, and every day, I'd remember another story out of our vibrant history. I thought of all of the Saturdays we used to sneak down to Mutts in Greer for lunch (pre-Mutts in Spartanburg days), always worried that we'd get in trouble one day. I remembered collecting pieces of your equipment and uniform after one particularly hilarious foot chase. I remembered how you were resting your eyes on one of our hauls to Cross Anchor, and how you jumped awake, as you thought we were "flying through the air" because I'd flown off the road (in reality, we drove onto a bridge, which caused the car to bounce). During one car chase, I remembered you driving us across the airport runway, while I was trying to watch for any landing airplanes. I remembered how you would constantly "forget" to fuel up your car, and how we would turn off the A/C to try and make it to the county pumps. I remembered how I referred to your street name as "Burnt House Road" (that's not even close), and you said "Who the hell would live on a road named like that?" I then thought about how I missed you at my wedding last year, and how I'll never get to introduce you to my daughter, who was fittingly born on February 27th of this year. I remember sitting in the hospital with my wife after a long night of labor, and suddenly realizing what day it was and how, in my heart and mind, her birth meant that much more to me. Of course, I would've rather had you here on Earth to come meet my baby.

I miss you, my great friend, but I know I'll never forget you or our time together.

C.L. Kendall
Travelers Rest PD
2009-05-27

Kevin,

I still miss you so much. I played golf the other day for the first time since you were taken from us. I had an ok time, but it sure was not like playing with you. I still can see you standing there talking to me. I wish that you were here Kevin. Andrea is doing better, but still has some bad days. The girls are growing up and becoming such beautiful young women. Not one day goes by that I do not think of you. I love you and will see you again.

Jon Fowler
Brother-in-law
2009-05-22

I was assigned Deputy Sheriff Carper in my Police Administration class. I expected that I would write my assignment and turn it in.
I didn't expect to cry as I read about how he died. I didn't expect to feel for his wife and children. I didn't expect for it to be anything more than an assignment but it is.
I don't know how any officer does what he/she does day after day knowing what he/she knows. So I commend you, all of you for putting on your game face and putting your time in. I am most sure we as civilians don't say it enough but here it is from my heart to your eyes/ears....THANK YOU. You guys/gals are the bestest!!!!! (I know that is not a word but it's how I feel.)

Civilian, K Davis
Student Assignment
2009-03-23

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones, friends and fellow officers during this time of rememberance. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06
2009-03-03

On the 2nd anniversary of Deputy Carper's death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Deputy Carper is not forgotten.

Sergeant Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department
2009-02-27

Hey Kevin, not a day goes by that I don't think about you at some point during the day. Your family is still in my prayers everyday. I love & miss ya!

Troy Skinner
Best Friend
2009-02-27

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 2nd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

To Andrea, his children, and his sister Amanda: I share your anquish in losing a beloved family member which I believe is life's greatest sorrow. Time never diminishes love. You are in my heart's embrace today. May God grant you solace.

Rest In Peace, Kevin. You are so handsome in your picture. I am sorry you were robbed of your life at such a young age.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
2009-02-27

Unfortunately, I never knew you; however, I find it interesting that the death of someone I didn't know could affect me so profoundly. As a dispatcher, I've always loved my job and been proud of what I do, but your sacrifice has made me a better dispatcher. Your death has made me work harder, speak more clearly, listen more carefully, and love "my guys" even more than they know. In my mind, my primary and most important responsibility, is to do everything in my power to send "my guys" home to their families at the end of each shift.

I still pray daily for your wife and daughters, that God will continue to comfort them, and help them through their grief. They say time heals all wounds...personally I am not so sure, but hopefully time will lessen the grief felt by those who continue to love you.

God bless you and thank you for your sacrifice on this, the second anniversary of your senseless murder. Rest In Peace, my friend...

Police Dispatcher
Upstate SC Department
2009-02-27

Look at me I’m shinning
I shine in your heart’s
That hold my memory dear
I shinned when I was here and
Now that I’m gone I shine still
For those that I left just know
That I will never be gone
Just bring out my memory
And I will shine on!!!!




Kevin, no words can say still
You are so loved and missed
Your sister
Amanda (Carper) Sweeney and your loving Family
Gone but not forgotten. 2-27-2007

Amanda Sweeney
Sister
2009-02-27

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones today. Continue to keep watch over all of them, wrap your wings around them and protect them. Come to them in their dreams so they can feel your presence. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
2009-02-27

REST IN PEACE SON, THE SACRIFICE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY MADE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AND APPRECIATED.

INV HAROLD HUTCHISON (RETIRED)
HUNTSVILLE ALABAMA POLICE DEPT
2009-02-27

The loss of Kevin changed my life in a way I cannot even begin to fathom. His legacy lives on in us all...may we continue to honor him.

Tim Wilson

2009-02-22

Kevin... As the girls and I approach the 2 year mark we still miss you so very much. I cannot even believe that it has been 2 years. I see you there,hear you laughing and am so thankful every moment that I can remember you so well. Things are difficult right now. I am having a hard time. Your sacrifice remains heroic to your daughters and I. We love and miss you daily.Until we meet again...........

Andrea Carper
widow
2009-02-20

To your family and friends--I know the time of your anniversary is coming up, and it is a sad reminder of your passing. They say "time heals", but I think sometimes it gets harder especially with children because you see so much of Kevin in the children; but then again, it is a daily reminder that he is still with you. A hard part though is that he is not here to participate in daily activities, but please know that he is with you--in your heart--and with Jesus--and he watches over you and protects you....

Patty Dennis
Citizen
2009-02-15

It is an Honor to serve as The Administrator for Deputy Carter's Facebook Memorial Site.

Semper Fi,
"Major Pain"

Michael B. Parlor

2009-01-30

Kevin, I thought about you today and wondered. Of all the people that touch our lives and in all of this vast world, how can so many people be touched by one person. You have made a difference in so many lives and you will continue to do so as long as your memory lives on. We will never forget....You are an example to us all and you have raised the bar of expectation. I talked to K.T. the other day, he's a firefighter now. Terry G. still works on the flightline. The last T-2 left Pensacola a few months back. It seems like just yesterday we were all in Key West or San Diego chasing planes. Where does the time go.. Well, I'll let ya go for now and maybe someday we will meet again, in a far better place.

Sgt Ron "Hank" Hankinson
Escambia County Sheriffs Office/Old Friend
2009-01-05

Kevin, Kevin, Kevin

I am so sorry you loss your life when you should be on this earth with your girls and wife

Even though you went away your memory is here to stay

Ever lasting love seems to be the only thing that keeps us going

Until we see you again our tears will keep flowing

When that day comes our hearts will no longer be broken! but a joy just to tell you how much you were missed and loved

To put our arms around you again would be only in our dreams until then brother

never forget
I love you Kevin and
and miss you so very much
Love your sis
Amanda

Amanda Sweeney
sister
2008-10-08

Kevin, I woke up at 2:30 in the am, thinking of you. I remembered you standing in the line shack. When we were plane captains in Pensacola, FL. I can still see you standing in a modified weaver stance pointing your finger and saying, "I want to be a cop, I am going to be a cop, freeze!". You have accomplished that goal. It's been a long time since then, but your sacrafice knows no time and will stay fresh as the day it happened in the lives of those who knew you. You are truely missed and appreciated for the job you did.
Ron aka "Hank"

Sergeant Ron Hankinson
Escambia SO / Old Friend
2008-07-04

Kevin,
Just wanted to stop by and say hey. Just got back from the funeral of North Carolina State Highway Patrol Trooper David Shawn Blanton Jr. As i sat at his funeral thoughts of you kept coming back, like you David was a wife and a father, and like you he too was killed by someone who should have never been on the road. When will the justice system wake up and realize that it is killing the people that are sworn to protect it. I pray every day that there not be another sensless murder of a father, brother, son, husband, or a father. While at the funeral they described Trooper Blanton as a man who loved his job and a man whos smile was infectious. That made me think of you, and your smile that was forever painted on your face. I made a special visit to your grave on the way back from Trooper Blanton's funeral. We know that you are gone, but you will never be forgotten. Heaven just got bigger with a new Trooper, make him feel welcomed and may you both rest in peace now, watch over us and guide us as we have the watch now.

Deputy Sheriff M. Brandon Letterman
Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office
2008-06-23

Justice Walks

Justice walks on streets of gold
Beside the officers down
We laugh and talk, we cry and pray
Of time served for our crowns

Crowns of many numbers be
That add up for our days
Served in humble honor first
Against man’s hatred ways

For you do not yet understand
And you may not yet see
His work on earth that carries on
As Justice walks your streets

Because of fallen heroes once
That kept you safe from harm
Love multiplies and duty calls
And honor still lives on

Across a broken pathway
Along a narrow road
Over a well-beaten highway
My name is carved in stone

A reminder of that sacrifice
You’ll look up and you’ll see
My name, your Friend, I who died
That you might still be free

Cross over now, go on your way
I watch you from above
My name is on the bridge you cross
My heart is filled with love

The night that News Channel 7 announced that the Senate had passed the bill to name the 129 bridge in your honor, I got up and wrote this. I was so excited for everyone that knew you that we would have a place to drive where we could see your name spelled out proudly and look up to heaven and smile and say "thank you Kevin for what you did for us". Your memorial is beautiful! Your memorial service was so beautiful! Andrea and the girls were incredible. I know you were looking down and smiling with pride. Brittany did a great job helping get the bridge naming accomplished. We miss you and Andrea and the girls every day! We look at your house, and still expect to see the girls playing outside, and you and Andrea coming home with groceries from Walmart! I still can't believe you wanted to take your own trash to the landfill LOL!(isn't it dumb what we think about sometimes!) Seeing Andrea again was so healing for me, and I hope that we will get to see her and the girls more. You have so many people watching out for them down here, and I know that you are taking good care of them from up there! Ethan is coming home in a couple of weeks. Would you mind keeping up your watch over him too? Chelsea is getting married next May, and you would love her fiance Eric. Andrea got to meet him at your memorial service. Just wanted to let you know that we continue to lift you up in honor and we will never, ever forget.

Deena, Chelsea, and Ethan Spradlin

Deena Spradlin
A Friend
2008-03-24

Kevin,
We must keep going each and every day as we know that is what you would of wanted. You were a special brother to me. I know you knew how much I loved you and I know how much you loved me. Your girls are just wonderful. I hope we continue to grow with your family. Your nephew Dillen is laid back and not much bothers him. Your nephew Dony is wired and loves basketball. He is the point guard at basketball. Your nephew JT reminds all of us of you and moving up fast in the Marines. Your nephew Trent is walking in your foot step’s just a different beat an official Fire Man. Your nephew Zack is a hard worker and loves to laugh. Your nephew Nick is just like his dad, very smart. Your niece Kels is head strong. Your niece Kristen is free at will. Your niece Megan has a little of you in her. As they all do. Your niece Christine is just like her dad, you would say. You would be so proud of all of them. Don will never forget the time playing golf with you at the Naval Base in Pensacola, Fla. And the impact you made on him. I will never forget our youth together because it was always just me and you. I will never forget all the life changes we went through together as we entered the adult world. I loved that I got a chance to live with you in Florida, and will never forget all the memories we shared together. This emptiness in my heart will never heal and my love for you will never go away. That night we will never understand or have a closure on. Just not knowing, WHY, is hard enough. We all love all the memories we shared and we will never forget the times we had with you. Once again Kevin I want to say how proud we are of you and how much you are loved and missed. Kevin, I am so sorry! I miss you so much.
Love, your sister
Amanda

Amanda
sister
2008-03-13

I'm in news monitoring & analysis and in some of my work this morning, I happened to be watching a newscast that showed the dedication for Deputy Carper. I don't live in your state and it's by mere chance I learned of this sacrifice and the beautiful appreciation that was shown in your local community recently.

I, too, am a survivor. It's almost been 3 years for us and the pain still cuts so so deeply. I can't believe it actually has been almost 3 years, really. I can still remember the rain on the day of the funeral, and even the sun peaking through the clouds following the final shots.

A flag draped coffin is an image that means so much to so many, but to us, our brother, husband, sister, mom, dad, wife, daughter, son, friend, and fellow officer is in there. Someone who made us laugh and helped us when we cried. Someone who brought so much to our life just by existing in it with us. Someone who just wanted to be a cop and didn't really realize the sacrifice that could and would be made, one that would make them a hero to so many, when they were "just Pete" to us.

Peter will be forever 27. He was killed on a Wednesday morning. I will never forget that Wednesday. I will never forget one of his fellow officers, standing outside his memorial alone, smoking a cigarette between sobs. Those are the things that a flag draped coffin means to us in the police world.

So much beauty and wonder has been experienced in our lives in the last 3 years, but sometimes, in those quiet moments, the absence of Peter is felt so strongly. I wish I could take your pain away. I wish I could keep another officer's loved ones from having to go down this road in anguish. But this is what we do. We kiss our officer goodbye knowing he/she may not return. We know that they only want to give back and do their best and who can fault them?

I have every confidence in the world that Peter welcomed Kevin into Heaven with open arms. Lord only knows the kind of trouble these guys get into up there :)

I just really wanted to leave a reflection and let all of you know that from there to here and beyond, the loss of Kevin is felt greatly. We will always remember. We will always be in debt to his sacrifice, and YOURS, because a man's dying is more the survivors' affair than his own, right?

I'm so proud of our men and women in blue on the frontlines everyday in our own cities and communities. I'm so proud of how they carry on with such strength and hope and honor. I'm proud of Kevin. I'm proud of Peter. I just wish missing them wasn't so hard sometimes. My prayers for peace and healing and comfort for your family begin today until the day I join them in Heaven.

God Bless,
LEO Wife and survivor of Peter Grignon EOW 3/23/05
Louisville, KY
Genesis 50:20

2008-02-28