Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

DEAREST WILLIAM,
YOU ARE AND WILL ALWAYS BE A GREAT BROTHER-IN-LAW, WONDERFUL AND LOVING HUSBAND TO MY SISTER DEBRA, AND GREAT FATHER-FIGURE TO MY NIECES AND NEPHEWES. YOU WERE A KIND AND GENTLE MAN, WITH THE BIGGEST HEART, WHO WOULD DO ANYTHING TO HELP SOMEONE OUT. YOU HAD A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR AND WAS SO FULL OF LIVE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING MY SISTER THE HAPPIEST WOMAN FOR SEVEN, WONDERFUL YEARS. EVERYONE COULD SEE HOW MUCH YOU LOVED HER AND HOW MUCH SHE LOVED YOU. YOU BOTH WERE LIKE HONEYMOONERS WITH THAT LOVING GLOW IN YOUR EYES.
THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE FOR MY FAMILY AND ME. I'M SO THANKFUL THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO CELEBRATE MY WEDDING DAY WITH ME. WE'LL MISS ALL OF OUR FAMILY VACATIONS, OR SHALL A SAY ADVENTURES WHETHER DOWN SOUTH OR UP NORTH. WE ALWAYS HAD A GREAT TIME TOGETHER. I'M GLAD YOU WERE ABLE TO FORFILL YOUR DREAM OF BECOMING A POLICE OFFICER. WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU.
THOUGH WE WERE FAR APART, YOU ARE AND WILL ALWAYS BE CLOSE IN MY HEART. REST IN PEACE.
LOVE AND MISS YOU.
YOUR SISTER-IN-LAW AND BROTHER-IN-LAW
MARIA & VINCENT BLASI

MARIA BLASI
SISTER-IN-LAW

William,
I don't really know where to start. I guess to start off I wish to beg your forgiveness for not getting to know you as well as I should have. As it is now too late to speak to you face to face I will speak to you through written word and devoted memory.
You truelly are an incredible man. I often found myself admiring you for not only your knowledge and skill in all you did, but your incredible thirst for knowledge. I was never more pleased than when you asked my opinion on a matter or asked me for information on a subject that I knew about.
I also want to say thank you. Thank you for the Love and care and generosity that you not only showed towards me, but my children as well. YOUR grandchildren. Maybe not by blood, but by a bond that you were so willing to forge with two girls that really Love you. I grieve for my girls William. I grieve that that they lost you at such a tender young age, before they could really understand how much they mean to you. They may not know how much you Love them and how important they are to you, but I do.
I'm glad they got to see you one last time that day. You got to see their faces and they yours. I hope their visage will carry on with you to heaven for I know how much you enjoyed being with them in life.
I want you to know how much I appreciate your willingness to serve others and how eagerly you did so. You helped me more than I can say and probably more than I ever deserved. I feel that I am a better man for knowing you.
You have left an impression on me that I will never forget.
Thank you, William. Good bye...

P.S. Hello from Dailyn and Breanna

Thomas Filipiak
Stepson

I wanted to share something that I recently heard on the radio. I was so moved when I heard it. It perfectly explained how I was feeling at that very moment. I was questioning my life and the reasons why life is so unfair. Why am I still here, and why is he gone from me? Why was I without my dad and my very best friend? Here is my interpretation of what the song said...

If I knew that I'd be here at this moment.
If I knew that I'd be so very sad.
If I knew that I'd be left here all alone without you.
If I knew that I'd be going through this pain.
If I knew that I would never hold you again,
and if I knew that I'd never again look in your eyes,
Would I have chosen another path than the one
I chose on the day we met?
If I knew that I could change the past just so that I didn't have to feel this pain now, would I?
Would I choose to know you, to be your friend, to be your partner, to your daughter, or to have you in my life.

Daddy,
Of course I would.
I would go through all of this pain again and again.
I would take that fated phone call again.
I would cry all of the same tears.
I would kiss you good bye again and again.
I would go through this all again because without you I would've missed.....

I would've missed all the times you held me in your arms.
I would've missed smelling your neck while I hugged you.
I would've missed all the times you made me smile.
I would've missed all of your dry jokes. The jokes that made you "tee-hee-hee" when no one else was laughing.
I would've missed all our long talks.
I would've missed brushing your hair just to make you happy.
I would've missed helping you sweep up saw dust and carry your tools when I was young.
I would've missed "our trip"--just us on the road with the windows down singing "our song".
I would've missed your tears when you were hurt.
I would've your smile when we were all together at your house.
I would've missed how proud you were of yourself, and how proud you were of me.
I would've missed hearing you tell me that I was beautiful.
I would've missed knowing how beautiful it was to give you a grandson.
I would've missed seeing you chase Tanner in your back yard, or letting him spray you with the water hose just because it made him giggle.
I would've missed seeing the pride on your face when you were with "your boys" or the pride you felt when Cole was named after you.
I would've missed knowing the most beautiful and tender love that I have ever felt in my life.
I would've missed our 27 years together.
I would've missed being one of your two little girls.
Dad, I'd give up the rest of my years here if it meant being able to relive the last 27 with you. I am without you, and there is noone else here to fill your void. And, I just can't stop loving you or feeling this way just because you are gone.

Dad, I love you. But you knew that, and I am so thankful that you did. Thank you for loving me the way you did. Thank you for making me feel so smart and beautiful. Thank you for making me into a good person. Thank you for being my DADDY. Your love has meant more to me than you could ever know.

My love always,
Your daughter, Nin

VALARIE BELL WRIGHT
DAUGHTER of WILLIAM B. BELL

Officer Bell,

I met you when I was at the Academy. You and Sgt Wright, whom I had known from his CCSO and Explorer days, were sitting at lunch. You were in the ground fighting instructor course... very tough. I knew body building types who were having troublke keeping up. I was impressed that you wanted to be in that class. You encouraged and inspired me that day.
I was saddened by the needless tragedy caused by two people who had no business on the road, the criminal and the "stranded motorist" with the suspended lic. "If only" one of them had done the right thing and had stayed off of the road... As an activated Reservist with the AF as a Security Forces police(MP types) since 9/11, I have used this tragedy to try and get my troops to think about their own safety and to take their enforcement responsibilites seriously. Complacency bred from the "mayberry" communities that AF bases are put them at risk. May your sacrifice, Officer Bell, serve to spur others on to service and safety.

Deputy DJH
Charleston County SO, SC

When the Lord was creating peace officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."

And the Lord said, "Have you read the spec on this order"?

"A peace officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn't touch, and not wrinkle his uniform."

"He has to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day."

"He has to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half-eaten meals. And he has to have six pairs of hands."

The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands... no way."

"It's not the hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord, "it's the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have."

"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.



The Lord nodded. "One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, 'May I see what's in there, sir?' (When he already knows and wishes he'd taken that accounting job.) "Another pair here in the side of his head for his partners' safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, 'You'll be all right ma'am, when he knows it isn't so."

"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve, "rest and work on this tomorrow."

"I can't," said the Lord, "I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck."

The angel circled the model of the peace officer very slowly, "Can it think?" she asked.

"You bet," said the Lord. "It can tell you the elements of a hundred crimes; recite Miranda warnings in its sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate the legality of the stop... and still it keeps its sense of humor."

"This officer also has phenomenal personal control. He can deal with crime scenes painted in hell, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim's family, and then read in the daily paper how law enforcement isn't sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects."

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the peace officer. "There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model."

"That's not a leak," said the lord, "it's a tear."

"What's the tear for?" asked the angel.

"It's for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, for justice."

"You're a genius," said the angel.

The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there," he said.

Anonymous

Rest in peace brother.

Anonymous

Hello, I'm not exactly sure what to say. I never had the chance to meet you Officer Bell. I was in school with Doug, your son-in-law. I am very sorry for your family as they are going through this loss. I can understand their pain. You were/are a very loved man. I know in my heart and soul you and Gene are up in heaven watching over your family, friends, and loved ones.

Chele

I did not know William Bell very well, but I met him a few times when he was a reserve officer. He always seemed to leave me with one of those warm and fuzzy feelings and he just seemed to make me smile. I hate the situation and I pray it had never had happened. I was good friends with Deputy Wright and I understand what the family and friends of this fine officer are going through. I pray for his family and friends and I am glad Gene and Bell met. God knows. I wish it would have been under much different circumstances. God be with the family and friends of this Great Man and my thoughts are also with Summerville Police Department. A loss is felt by all.

Anonymous

My deepest sympathies go out to the "Bell" family and to the Summerville Police Department.

Remember that the Lord called William home for a reason and we will all see him on the devine day of judgement.

With loving fondness, my heart goes out to you all!

M Wright
Future Blue

Dad, I am not quite sure that I know where to start. Every time that I have tried to sit down and write something, I feel lost for words. You probably find that hard to believe because you always told me, “Son, you sure do like to talk a lot.” I have never felt the void in my life that I am feeling right now sitting here. I know that you would be telling me to be strong and not to worry because you are in the greatest of all places watching over Valarie, Tanner, Cole and I.

You are my dearest friend and one of the few people that I always listened to when you spoke. You were the kind of man that was soft spoken but demanded the respect and attention of others. I can still see you as if you were still sitting in the rocking chair next to me in our living room twisting the little curl in Cole’s hair. I can still see all of the life that you had when you would let Tanner chase you around the house or back yard until he would catch you. (You would always let him catch you) You are the light of three year old Tanner’s life still. He still asks Valarie and me, “Where is my Pop-Pop?” Every time Tanner sees a police car he says, “There goes my Pop-Pop, he’s my hero”. What is a parent to say? Tanner is so smart, and you would always tell him that. The other night we were driving on the highway, and Tanner said, “Mommy, Pop-Pop is a ghost. I not scared of Pop-Pop. Pop-Pop and Jesus protect us”. We were speechless. How could he possibly know what he was saying or did he know what he was saying?

There are so many memories and thoughts that are on my mind. I wish that I could post all of them, but they will remain memories and table talk until my dying days. Although I was your son-in-law, you always told me that since you had two beautiful daughters (Valarie & Gail) and never had a son that I was the closest thing that you had to one. A son could never have been more proud than to see his father fulfill his life long dream. You accomplished so much in your life. All you ever wanted was to become a police officer. It did not matter what sacrifice you would have to make to achieve your goal, even when it meant leaving a job where you were a supervisor making almost double the salary that you made as a cop. You sacrificed your job of 27 years to be the little boy in the candy store with unlimited credit. I am glowing with pride knowing that you left this place doing what you loved to do. I will add that you did not screw up. You did everything right that night. There is nothing that you could have done to change the outcome of what happened.

You told me about two months before you left that if anything ever happened to you to take care of your two grandsons and your two daughters. I promised that I would, and I meant what I said. I laughed and told you that nothing would happen to either of us. You always told me to “Be careful son”, and I would exchange the same comment as we would leave one another while on duty. You always said, “It’s the other guy that I need to watch out for”. How ironic that statement would become. It never leaves my mind now as I recall all of our special times over the past 11 years.

You and I had so much in common despite the age difference. I can still remember you joking about you being a salty old dog and that you thought your day to be picked up as a full time officer would never come. You were still a reserve police officer, and you would ask me all of the time if I thought you would ever be hired because you thought that you were too old. I always laughed and told you to look at Captain Watkins. (A true “salty dog”) That always seemed to make you laugh it off. When your day came and Chief Whitehead hired you, you were so excited! You called Valarie, and she cried because she was so proud of you! All of the years of hard work of going back to school and doing your time as a reserve officer had finally paid off. You got your chance and made your mark on your fellow officers and the citizens that you served. You were double the age of most of the citizens that you dealt with, yet you always treated them with the same respect as if they were your own elders by calling them all sir and ma’m. When raising your two girls, you ALWAYS expected them to look you in the eye (pick an eye, as you would say) and to ALWAYS address people with sir and Ma’m. You weren’t being strict, as I’m sure others may have thought, but you were raising them to be respectful and upstanding. You were raising them to be the same quality person that you were.

Dad, you were an inspiration to our younger officers because you were never afraid to ask questions or tell someone that you “did not know something”. At the same time you were teaching other officers and reserve officers things that you knew when they rode with you. I still hear your voice when people would ask you, “How are you Mr. Bell?” You would answer, “Not bad for a man my age”. You always joked that you were the same age as your badge number. How ironic…

I could just see the goose bumps on your weathered leathery arms when the US Marine Corps unloaded you from the Kasson and delivered you to your final walk home. The USMC Honor Guard detail was perfect in all of their movements. But then you knew that already because as far as you were concerned the USMC could do no wrong. When the rifle detachment dispelled of their shell casings, you would have thought that there was only one rifleman because of the synchronicity. You could hear a pin drop on that windy Friday morning. You always told me when we watched USMC drill movements down at Paris Island or in a movie that you could not stand even the smallest of mistakes or imperfections. You always said that you loved watching a Marine Corps platoon march because of the perfection that it would display and disciple that it took to teach a bunch of young men how to look so perfect. You liked the vision of strict discipline and the fluid motion of a well oiled machine. This showed a lot about you as a person. You were a perfectionist in all that you did in life, from your meticulous wood work to labeling every last police document in alphabetical order in your filing carrier. Your uniform reeked of perfection and Marine Corps overtones. Your sharp creases could cut. Your boots were always polished and cruiser always clean and organized. Your pride was like no other that I have seen by any. You led by example with your calm demeanor, integrity, professionalism, “southern gentleman” manners and stellar appearance in uniform.

Our times together were always great, and I will cherish them forever in my heart. Valarie and the boys will be taken care of just as I promised you, and I promise that you WILL NEVER be forgotten by your two grandsons, Douglas Tanner or William Cole Your two little bundles of fun (and as you always would call them, “My Two Future Marines”) will be taken care of and taught the same character qualities and traits that you displayed in all that you did in life. I will miss everything about you. Valarie, the boys and I will see you again. I love you and feel comfort in knowing that you were right with Jesus Christ and our Lord God. You will be sorely missed by all of your family, friends, fellow officers and people whose lives who were most impacted by your time here.

SEMPER FI! ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE.

“REST IN PEACE WARRIOR, REST IN PEACE” REB 314

NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT
(Nobody provokes me without fear of punishment)

Sergeant Douglas Wright / Son-In-Law
Summerville Police Department

Sonnet #1
By Rachel Filipiak/step-daughter

Shall I compare thee to a sky scraper?
Had my heart fall like a tower.
There, then in the blink of and eye, gone.
All of a sudden things seem so wrong.
When you came you made all things right.
You appeared like a knight on a horse.
You turned our darkness instantly to light.
We were put back on track to continue life’s course.
I didn’t realize until you weren’t there.
I wasn’t ready; I didn’t get to say goodbye.
I’m going to miss your forever-lasting love and care.
I’m never going to be able to understand why.
I hope that you can hear my prayers and that I can again see your face.
I believe that only soon enough, we’ll meet in that better place.

Please Don’t Be Gone

Just got home hoping to relax and be carefree.
The news I’ve just heard isn’t true, it can’t be.
You were at work doing the job I know you cherished.
How could it be you’ve suddenly become perished?
Just helping a women, not knowing what was to come.
This shouldn’t have happened; driving under the influence is so dumb!
Standing, holding the flashlight trying to get her on her way.
Had absolutely no idea that this was going to be the last day.
The truck hit you with great impact, you died right away.
Please don’t let it be true, why now, why today?
I wasn’t ready, I didn’t say I love you or goodbye.
How could this happen to me? I will never understand why.
All the chances I had to say how much I appreciated you.
How everything you did was perfect, you were the best at all you do.
What if I was there, what if I could have stopped it?
Just tell you he was coming, you wouldn’t have got hit.
I need you so much, please don’t leave, we all need you.
You didn’t want to leave, you needed us all too.
I guess I can’t change the world, or even the pain that I feel.
This is a wound that nothing and on one could ever help to heal.
All I can do is pray and hope that you hear my voice.
Why did he have to go and drive today, this is the result of his choice.
Now I suffer persistently and my life has come to a stop.
You served your duty with courage; you were truly a great cop.
I hope that you can hear my prayers and that I can again see your face.
I believe that only soon enough, we’ll meet above in that secure, better place.

By Rachel Filipiak

William Bell was a beautiful person who we loved very much
and will be missed by all who came in contact with him.
We always remember our wonderful times together and his
sweet and funny ways about him. We always teased him for
calling us sir and mam. We love you William and we know
that our Lord loves you also. We pray that our Lord will
join you with your love ones and our love ones in heaven.
We also pray that all of us will be together again when our
Lord calls for us. Love from our entire family to a wonderful individual. Love always The Green Family.

William&Alda Green
Relatives

From One Stepparent to the Other - Dearest William I want to thank you for the love, the kindness, the happiness and the security you provided to the children that Debra and Tom so freely allowed us to call "our" own: Thomas, Tracy, Robin, Richard and Rachel. If they love me half as much as they loved you then I am one very blessed stepmom. My heart aches for Debra and her loss. In life and death you have made a very dear impact on all those who knew you. Not goodbye but til we meet again....Watch over us.
Jill Filipiak

Jill Filipiak

Dear William, Seven years ago you married my best friend and you and I had to compete for her time...fortunately she had enough for us both and I gave you the stamp of approval...you were a good man, William...I only know how you were in your home life but it has been inspiring to read the tributes from your professional life...I remember the times we sat around the table for "cake and coffee" with Deb's parents and talked about every controversial subject we could think of...When I moved to Utah to start over, you and Deb were all that I really missed...we will always miss you...Love, Meredith and family

Family friend...Meredith
Provo, Utah

William was a cop's cop. His desire to become a Police Officer has inspired many. He was a role model of how all officer should be, polite , humble, professional and dedicated. If you ever met him once, you felt as if you had known him for years and you were the best of friends. He was a proud member of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Lodge was proud to call him brother. He will be missed by all he encountered. Heaven has another hero for their golden streets.

Lt. Dan Isgett
Charleston County Sheriff's Office

William,
You are one of a kind who touched everyone's life that you came into contact with. I find comfort in knowing that you are watching over our department and your family. You will always remebered for your smile and passion for life. You will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing you!

Stephanie Dress
Summerville Police Department

William
I came to the SPD as a reserve. I made many mistakes and evaluated myself constantly. To the members of the SPD who welcomed me in and blessed me with their knowledge thank you. William you trained me with out ever knowing me by your grace. Thank You for the small time I had with you I wil truly try and make it count. (BLESSED ARE THE PEACE KEEPERS)

L904
SUMMERVILLE PD

As I sit here trying to get my thoughts together I wipe tears from my eyes. It is amazing how so many lives are intertwined. I met William Bell about 12 years ago when I became friends with his daughter Valerie. I remember going to Valerie's house and not only seeing but feeling the love William felt for his girls and they felt for him. I was also friends with Valerie's husband Doug. Doug was one of the first people I met when I moved to South Carolina.
It is amazing that even though we have grown apart and I have moved away we have always been able to keep track of each other. If it wasn't seeing Petey at the academy when I was in Basic Law it was Doug pulling my sister over as she was test driving a new car.
My thoughts and prayers are with William's family.. immediate and extended. I know how hard it is to loose someone so tragically my Lietenant (Randy Gerald) was killed December 29, 2001 it is so hard to lose someone so close and dear, especially so senslessly.
From the reflections I have read from William's fellow officers at Summerville it shows just how much William was loved and respected as a friend and an officer.
Please take care, all of you and carry William's memories close to your hearts.

Cpl. Liz McLean
Horry County Sheriff's Office SC

My thoughts and prayers are with Patrolman Bell's wife, children, grand-children, family, friends and co-workers. You are never alone in your pain and grief. Psalm 55:22

Denise Nichols - surviving spouse
Alabama State Trooper Brian Nichols EOW 2/17/2002

It has been a pleasure and an honor to get to know William during these trying days. Though I do believe that I truly know William now I wish I could have been lucky enough to know him before 11-19-02.
To William's family: How lucky ya'll were to have him in your family.... My prayers are with all of you.
To William's department: Thank you for the support, love, and tears that you have allowed me to share.
To Doug: God bless you!
To william: I wish i could have gotten there 30 seconds earlier. Sorry i couldn't have done anything else. So, until we meet again,, give Jesus a hug for me.
Thanks for you time Officer Bell
226

PFC. J. DANDRIDGE
DORCHESTER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFC

Rest in peace Officer Bell. May GOD BLESS, the Bell family and the Summerville Police Department with the loss of a true American HERO.

Recruit Don Reichhardt
60th Basic Police Academy
Crater Criminal Justice Academy

Virginia State University Police

William, There has not been a finer officer that I have had the occasion to not only supervise, but to serve with. As a reserve you were at almost every special event. You enjoyed interacting with the public, with that special smile, even though a few times some of the public wasn't as nice. When you couldn't help out, you would apologize. When you got hired, Doug was the proudest son-in-law you ever saw. You see, he knew what our department was getting.
Some of the Academy Instructors even remembered you, for your contagious smile and easy manner. Responding out to your collision scene, seeing you laying there without life, and not able to do anything to help or change that. Trying to stay out of the way of the state patrol investigators and at the same time help out anyway I could. The tremendous loss that I felt and will continue to feel will not go away for a very long time. Then finding out that the suspect was someone we had dealt with in a similar collision earlier in the year. The anger that someone, not even worthy of being in your presence, taking your life. Of all the citations I have written, collisions that I have investigated, and tried to make a difference, and yet you, representing the best we have, taken in an instant, is extremely overwhelming. But I know that you will be with us all in spirit, be pushing us to be all that we can be. William, you will be our calming voice. Godspeed brother.

SGT Bob Burris
Summerville Police Dept

William,

I never once met you, but wish that I could be half the man and police officer you were. Sitting amongst all our brothers and sisters of blue, at your funeral, I realized that their is an ultimate plan for our lives, and you and Gene were needed for a higher calling. One day, I hope that I will be able to meet you, and learn from you. You had so much to give to your family, community, and anyone you encountered. I feel that you and Gene were watching over me Sunday night, when I was chasing a stolen car, and began to fight with the suspect. You and Gene came down and protected me, and got me backup, so that we could get another criminal off the street! Thank You for your dedication.

Officer Matthew Woodall
Hanahan Police Department

L-48
a former marine
on this date
they lost one of the best from their team.
November 19,2002
you were dispatched to a call
Berkely County stopped to help you
moments later, a witness saw you both fall.
a simple tire change
a horrific crime scene now
i hope you didn't feel any pain
if i could have only done something, somehow
the bodies, covered in white blood stained sheets
both officers killed instantly
everywhere, police, troopers and EMT's
i watch them place your duty belt in a black plastic bag
place numbers on the bullets that fell from your clip
tonight we lost two brothers, two friends and two dads
i wish that this was the end of it.
i went to the wake
saw you sleeping there
i remember the smiles always on your face
and how you last told me to take care.
you always tried to get everything right
always did your very best
"yes sir" "yes ma'am" every time
and proudly wore that badge upon your chest.
the funeral procession long, not a visible seat or empty space
miles and miles of cars
as the bagpipes hummed "Amazing Grace"
at attention, we all stood in line
dispatch called out your final 10-42
today we sent you home
as we drapped the casket in the red, white and blue
Good Bye friend, rest in peace
you'll be forever kept in our hearts and memories.

cadet k.gumaer
north chas. police dept

My condolences to the Bell family and all of the officers at the Summerville Police Department. His sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Sgt. Blaine Locklair
Trident Technical College Department of Public Safety