Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I attended the memorial service for this hero. As I read the obituary for Dana I realized how alike two people who never meet or knew each other can be. I to, like Dana joined the military after high school. I to, like Dana spent 20 years serving my country. I to, like Dana worked as a reserve officer for a number of years prior to retiring from the military. I to, like Dana attended the SCCJA and won the J.P Strom Award. I to, like Dana committed my life to one of SERVICE BEFORE SELF. It is my loss to have never met Dana, but I feel that our lives so closely mirrored each other, that through his death I have come to know him very well. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Dana. We have truly lost a HERO.

Corporal Phil Tessier
Richland County Sheriff's Dept.

I met Dana Tate when I was in my teens (in Columbus Ohio). He'd always smile and laugh showing his bright and large teeth. I also decided to join the military and selected the Navy because he did so. He will never be forgotten because my entire family (Williams, Tate, Loney, Williamson, Canady) will never forget the good times we shared together. He will never be forgotten because he left behind grandchildren (my great nieces and nephew)whom one day I will tell of his courage to protect, and honor his country and citzens. This is a sad day for my family but it is a day to remember a good friend, father, grandfather, and husband. We will miss you Dana but there will not be a day that goes by that we will forget you. Love June Moon.

June Williams

I can't say enough about this man. He was always joking and smiling every time I saw him come thru the doors at the fire station. He was the only person I knew that could find the good in every bad situation. He gave it his all and made the ultimate sacrifice. May he rest in peace. To Dana, I salute you with a cup of coffee in hand and with tears in my eyes. You will be missed by so many. Sincerely, "this damn fireman".

Lieutenant, Paul Williamson
Burton Fire & Rescue

To the Tate family, My heart and prayers go out to you. God bless you.

Sonia Perez
former deputy Beaufort County Sheriff's Office

Sonia M. Perez

I and the family of the Muskingum County Sheriff's Office lost a brother in the line of duty on the same day of your tragic loss.I can only pray that all of you remain strong and remember that even though we have suffered a tragic day on 01/08/02 we still remain the only line between what our fallen brothers believed in and the element that wishes to do us harm.May God bless you all...

Deputy Roy Cunningham Jr
Muskingum County S.O. (Ohio)

I have had the pleasure of knowing Dana since he started working for Beaufort County and have been his supervisor for the past year. Dana and I have a lot in commom and have a good relationship, Dana is professional and a well liked person, a supersvisor's dream. I will miss you Dana, please pray for his family and fellow law enforcement brothers and sisters.

SSgt Glenn Zanelotti
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office

Sleep well fallen brother and watch over the rest of us...your sacrifice will not be forgotten!

P.O. B. Gillaspie
Pacific (MO) Police Dept.

The Badge

It is polished and shiny and looks so fine.
Once you earn it you have to tow the line.
The minute you wear it upon your chest
it becomes a symbol that you are the best.
It means honesty, integrity, and fairness to all.
Your life is never your own, but at the publics call.
Night or day, any hour, it makes you a mark.
It doesn't protect you from a shot in the dark.
Over the years the shine starts to fade,
but brighter still is the man its made.
It is often what seperates you from the crowd.
It is a second family of which you are proud.
So now comes your time, you can't be denied.
When you pin on your badge, wear it with pride
The minute you wear it upon your chest
it becomes a symbol that you are the best.


Perris Citizens Patrol

Perris Citizens Patrol
Perris Police Volunteers, CA

To the family of officer Tate, your loss was not in vain. Your loved one is with the Lord now, patroling the streets of heaven with our other comrades.Our love,blessings,and prayers are with you.
Lt. Shane Lamb and Family
Supervisor of Security
S.C. Governors School
Greenville,S.C.

Lt. Shane Lamb
S.C. Governors School Of the Arts And Humanities

The law enforcememt community here in South Carolina and around the country feel the grief and pain of our fallen brothers. Life can be so fragile. Nothing hurts more than to have that feeling of loss and void in your life. What a tremendous loss for one department and community as a whole. The officers here at the Summerville Police Department honor your department's fallen heroes.

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they may all be called the childen of God". Matthew 5:9

Corporal Douglas Wright
Summerville Police Department

My condolences and prayers go out to Marie, Rashauna and Laurie. I used to work with Dana when I was at the Sheriff's Office. We used to work as COP Officers. I have many of memories with him trying to clean up some areas in the community. I also was Denise's DARE Officer at Coosa Elementary. I remember playing a game with her where I would tell her to tell Dana I said hi. The following week she would come back and tell me he (Dana) said hi back twice. I would then tell her to tell him I said hi three times and it went on for a while. But she loved the attention she would get from her fellow classmates, always looking like she was frustrated but always continuing on. I hope you all take care and remember there is always strength in prayers and God. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to give me a call. You know how to reach me.

Officer Randy Marrero
Beaufort City P.D.

Thank you Lance Corporal Tate for you and your partner's service to your community. May you both rest in peace.

Anonymous

I did not know Lance Corporal Tate or Corporal Coursen personally but, there are several police officers in my family. This incident was very tragic and untimely. It has made me realize that any time a police officer answers a call that they may be putting their lives in danger. I want to thank all the men and women that put their lives on the line everyday in order to help keep our society a safe place to live. I pray God's protection for all of you in law enforcement. I also pray for comfort for the families of these fallen officers. May God's presence be felt in your time of grieving. Esther Richardson

Although I did not work on the same shift with L/cpl Tate and Cpl. Coursen, I Feel as if I have lost two brothers. I know that if I ever needed anything, that with out question, either one of them would be there. My heart and prayers go out to their families !

Corporal Brandon M. Stevenson
Beaufort County Sheriff's Dept

May God hold L/Cpl Tate in the hollow of His Hand and bring comfort to his family. The death of one lessens us all.

P.O. Mary Scheider
Jersey City Police Dept. (NJ)

We cannot express how deeply saddened we are by your loss. Our sympathy goes out to your family. May God bless you and keep your family strong.

Corporal John Neal & wife Rachel
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office

Lance Corporal Dana Lyle Tate, will be deeply missed by his friends and family in Columbus, Ohio as well as Beaufort, SC.Dana has been one of the most positive figures in mine and my families life. His daughter and his son, seen their dad last on Kenya's wedding day in Columbus. It was also the last time I got a chance to see him,When we did see each other we hugged and spoke briefly about how much time had past since we seen each other last and how proud he was to be giving away his daughter on her wedding day. Kenya,was so happy to have her dad there and she seemed to light up even more than he did when they saw each other. Dana, gave me and my family several wonderful gifts over the time that we knew him from adolescent to adulthood. Dana, as a young man was very respectful to my family and anyone that he came in contact with. He loved my sister Kathy Tate ( his first wife, mother of Kenya and DanaII and my favorite sister) and took very good care of them while pursuing a carreer in the Navy. Dana, not only gave me a wonderful neice and a nephew, he also introduced the Williams family to two of the kindest and most wonderful people in the world, his parents, Mr. And Mrs. Don Tate. I can't say enough about these people they have always been an important part of Dana's life and grew to be an important part of ours. My prayers go out to them for strength and understanding as well as his family in Beaufort.We think that when we lose someone that we may have lost them for ever , but I know for a fact that God recruit's Angels, and has made Dana his first round draft choice to watch over us. I am very proud to have known him.
Dana, we will always love you

From: Williams And Tate Families

John A. Williams 1st Brother-In-Law

Our thoughts are with the family, friends and co-workers of both officers.

Sgt. William N. Ragland
The Citadel Dept. of Public Safety

My prayers go out to Marie, Rashauna and Laurie Tate. I had the pleasure of working with Dana. He was my partner when we both joined BCSO in 97, Dana had been a reservist in Dorchester County before coming to Beaufort. He even recieved the Strom Thurmond Award while at the Criminal Justice Academy. I felt secure knowing Dana was near when I responded to a call for service; he was my guardian angel. He made me laugh and gave me strength when things looked down. He was my friend and teacher. Because of him and Marie, I even learned to like Nascar! I will never forget you Dana and my prayers will always be with you Marie.

Tracy A. Franklin

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family,friends,and fellow officers of Lance Cpl.Tate. God Bless You

Cpl.Jameson
Shipyard Plantation

May God bless the families and co-workers of these fine officers who gave thier lives to protect us. I will never know these brave men, for the ones that did never let them be forgotten.

Detective Shawn Darby
Jessamine County Sheriff

On January 8, 2002 the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office lost their brother Dana Tate. A wife and children lost their husband and father, and Beaufort lost one hell of a cop. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dana's and A.J.'s families and to the families of all slain officers. - BLESSED ARE THE PEACE MAKERS, FOR THEY ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD...
The Jennings Family

Cpl. Michael A. Jennings
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office

To the Friends, Family, and co-workers of Dana and A.J. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine that would attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. I pray that our heavenly father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost and the solonm pride that must be yours to have laid down so costly a sacrifice upon the alter of freedom.

Anonymous

My thoughts and prayers will be with the family, friends and fellow partners of these two angels.

We lost our fellow partner Jake in July, the pain only lessens, but never goes away.

Try to remember with this passing another two Stars will ascend to heaven.

My prayers will include all of you.

Lt. LeAnn Connell
LASD- Santa Clarita Valley Search and Rescue

Lieutenant
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept.

Family and Friends, our prayers are with you.

Cathy Hill, Widow
Deputy Barrett (Barry) Hill
e.o.w. 12/4/00
Harris County Sheriff's Department

Cathy Hill, Widow