Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

God Bless those who serve!

Mr Keith
none

December 15, 2003

I came to work at the Sheriff's Office right after Marcus was killed. He had to be a great man. Everyone that knew him speaks well of him. I am glad to know that I will meet him one day in Heaven. God bless C17!

Chaplain Bennie Durham
Greenville County Sheriff's Office

September 24, 2003

The policeman stood and faced his 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, 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 is 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 to steep.
And I never passed a cry for help
though at times 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 judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman.
You've borne you burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets.
You've done your time in Hell"

G. Houston
South Carolina

September 19, 2003

Close to the eve of you leaving us I just wanted you to know how much you are missed...August 13 will be a very hard day for alot of people including myself..You made everyone want to be a police officer and do good for all people.. Marcus you are missed alot and are loved alot..I know that you are looking down on all your friends and family and watching over us...Your best friends in law enforcement know you are always behind them...you always were.. until we meet again.

A Friend For Life..

Stacy Bost..Friend...

It is hard to believe it has been nine months.You are missed brother and your memory lives on in everyone of us who where touched by your sacrafice. Even though I only met you once I miss you all the same. Rest in peace brother, you have run the race you have fought the good fight and may God comfort your family and friends till you meet again.

Ptl. K.D. Sibley
Simpsonville P.D.

We miss you Marcus, it's been almost a year, and you're still in our hearts and on our minds.  They dedicated the section of Roper Mountain Rd to your memory, and as a reminder of the senseless violence that took you away from us.  There is not a day goes by that we don't remember that awful day and the events that took place leadin up to that day.  We know you are in heaven looking out for us, and we are sure that you look just as "stylish" now as you did then.  We love you brother, you are not forgotten. We will make sure that everyone here knows who you are and what you stood for.  We will stand proud and tall knowing that we were friends and partners.   Charlie Shift

Charlie Shift Deputies
Greenville County SO

To the Family of Deputy Marcus Whitfield: My heart goes out to the Family and to the Officers of the Greenville Co. Sheriffs Office. We will never forget the reason for which he gave his life to protect!

Deputy Whitfiled will never be forgotten but only to see another day.

Officers of Greenville County Detention

TODAY WE LOST A FRIEND, A MAN, A SON, A BROTHER, AN ORDINARY MAN WHO SWORE TO ENFORCE THE LAW, OR LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR ANOTHER.

CPL G.T.ELLISON
GREENVILLE COUNTY DETENTION CENTER

In remembrance of Deputy Whitfield:

You and your family are my families prayers....it is a tragedy that there is so much hate and violence in our world....we as peace officers try to keep our citizens and people safe...we try to protect them from this hate and violence....often, as in this case, an officer must give his/her life to do this....you are gone but will never be forgotten........until we meet in heaven!!!!

Investigator Corey Sloan
MO State Fire Marshal

You know it's so sad what goes on in this world today, people have no problem taking someone's life away. What hurts even more is when it is one of our brothers or sisters who have taken the fall, they were doing their job but god gave them his call, peace has come to you and now you may rest, we will continue to fight by giving it all our best!!!! God bless you and all our law enforcement officers out there!!!

Sergeant Skinner
Canisius Public Safety

Our sympathy and our prayers will be with Officer Whitfield and his family forever. Being a Survivor of the Shield is something that is so hard to understand why you are one, but you know that your son died doing the best thing that he could. He protected and served all of us in the best way he knew how and I know that he was a wonderful Police Officer because my son was also killed in the LOD just as he was and it is so senseless. Our love is with you and yours and I know that my son will meet yours and they will protect us every day of our lives.

Christine Roth, Survivor of the Shield

and proud MOM of Atlanta Police Officer John Sowa killed in the LOD in October of 1997

My heart goes out to all the members of the Greenville Sheriff's Office and to your family Marcus. You gave the ultimate sacrifice and will never be forgotten. God bless you, your family, and department.

Special Agent
Drug Enforcement Administration

My deepest and heartfelt sympathies go to those that were left behind. I was a supervisor and a friend to a fallen officer recently. Although my friend was not involved in a felony shooting but a traffic accident, the feelings are the same of the senseless and tragic loss of a friend. My hopes are that those who are left behind talk the incident through and lean heavily on each other as the days go by. My prayers are for the families and my fellow brothers and sisters in law enforcement as you come to peace with remembering your friend who made the ultimate sacrifice. May you hold true knowing his life made a difference.

Cpl. Donald S. Hite
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, Ga

Four years have gone by and it is still hard to believe you are gone. I will never forget that Friday morning at the SCCJA; getting out of bed, dreading my legals test, getting ready for formation, & seeing that flag at half-staff...Something inside me knew someone I cared so much about was gone! I never in a million years would have thought it was you.... Remembering the last conversation we had that Sunday before, wondering if there was anything I had forgotten to say to you, worrying if you would ever really know how much I appreciatted you!!! They say that time heals pain but just when I think it has, every August I am reminded how much it still hurts. You were a wonderful man and a true friend. I learned alot from you when you were here & alot about you when you were gone.....I admire you for all that you did and I am so very thankful that GOD gave us the opportunity to cross paths. Please continue to watch over all "the guys" and keep them safe! You will always be in my heart and your family in my prayers!

C.A. Hyder

Dear Marc,

I can not belive it has been four years since you were taken away. I still remember getting my butt kicked playing basketball against you. I was working the night you killed. I remember hearing the news and your name. I had to finish my tour and it was the hardest hours of my life. I went to see you later, and all I could think of is that you would not laugh and joke like all the years we have known each other. I still remember when we met in Jr. high and all the fun we had in high school. I know that you are alright now. I just wanted to say that I think about you all the time and that I relly miss you.

Your friend forever,

Chris Lemmons
EHS class of 1990

When we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your Heavenly Force, where we will be as proud to guard the throne of God as we have been to guard the city of men. Amen

Cpl. Chris Lemmons
Anderson City P.D.

My heart goes out to your family as they remember your passing 4 years ago. We will never forget you.

Chrissy Bernardi
Criminal Justice Student at CCSU

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer. Today, August 13, 2003 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Deputy Marcus Whitfield who died on this date four years ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Deputy Whitfield's sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

I NEVER KNEW MARCUS. HE WAS TAKEN FROM US BEFORE I STARTED TO WORK IN GREENVILLE. I WORK WITH ALOT OF FELLOW DEPUTIES WHO KNEW HIM. THEY TALK ABOUT HIM STILL TO THIS DAY AS IF HE WAS JUST STANDING THERE NEXT TO YOU CARRYING ON A CONVERSATION. HE IS REALLY MISSED BY HIS FELLOW CO-WORKERS. MAY GOD TAKE CARE OF HIS FAMILY....... LIVE ON FOREVER C-17

Greenville County Sheriff Dept.

Your life was taken, but your courage and honor remain. Amen.

Rev. Tom W. Allen
Episcopal Church

Marcus was a dear freind and good officer.An officer like others dream of being so early in their careers. A good man is gone but will live in my heart forever. god hold the brave in his heart..

Anonymous

Mark its been a little over two years that you were taken from us.There's not a day that goes by that I dont think of you and how special you were! You touched so many people in your everyday life, on duty or off.I always looked forward to all of you guys coming in the WH after cheifs. I always have the memories of you in the WH. I miss you.


Angela Fagan