Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Deputy Sheriff Austin Derek Aldridge

Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, South Carolina

End of Watch Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Deputy Sheriff Austin Derek Aldridge

Deputy Aldridge you were one of few that I had met and encouraged me to become a dputy. I truly wish you were here I became a Detention Deputy thanks to your encouragement. Thank you foe being a great person a great human and thank you for being you. I will never forget you or your passion for the job. We Have The Watch Rest in Peace brother .

Detention Deputy John Weaver
SCSO Detention Division

July 20, 2023

You are missed but never forgotten. Rest easy, brother...

Chaplain ? State Constable G DiStefano
SCSO / SLED

June 27, 2023

Never forgotten brother.

Judge /Magistrate/SC Trooper Sheridan Ly
Judicial

June 20, 2023

Father, we ask thy Blessing on the eternal soul of this thy servant Deputy Austin Derek Aldridge. Bless and care for his family, ease their sorrow. This we ask in thy Holy name, Amen.

George E. Martin, Sr.
Chaplain

October 20, 2022

The true measure of a person
is not found in the
might of their arm,
their wealth
or their power –
it is found in the strength
of their character.

There is no greater testimony to
ones character, than ones
willingness to sacrifice all,
in the noble quest of
providing protection to all
whom they serve.

Author Unknown

Javier Cornejo
Police Officer, Retired
City of Milwaukee Police Department
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

September 1, 2022

Rest in Peace Deputy Aldridge. May the Lord grant your family, friends and co-workers peace during this very difficult time. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Deputy Parole Administrator Howard Wykes
Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections

July 21, 2022

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Deputy Sheriff Austin Aldridge. I am truly sorry for your great loss. The service and sacrifice of Deputy Aldridge will be remembered.

Deborah C.
Wife, Mother, Aunt of LEOs
Maryland

July 19, 2022

Deputy Aldridge,

Thank you for your sacrifice for our nation. May you be with the Lord and may he be with your family.

Det. Russ Cain

Pittsburgh PD

July 17, 2022

Myself and five brothers from our department attended your funeral. The piper played. Your family, your friends, and your Sheriff all spoke. We never met but I wiped tears from my eyes. All I thought of at time was, twenty-five years old, baby on the way, only three years in the job. This was so senseless.
I know you are with our Heavenly Father. Drive on sir!

Deputy Scott MacMeeken
Abbeville County Sheriff's Office

July 11, 2022

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"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 whose 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

Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept.
Columbia, SC

July 1, 2022

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9)

Corporal Doug Galluccio
City of Goose Creek Police Department

July 1, 2022

R.I.P Deputy Sheriff Austin Derek Aldridge

Brian Molyneaux
Citizen Toronto Canada

June 30, 2022

Rest in Peace Brother, your tour is done. Bless your family and the Spartanburg County Sheriff's.

TFC Len Widener (Retired)
Connecticut State Police

June 29, 2022

God speed brother

Deputy Tim Duvall
Boyd County KY Sheriffs Department

June 29, 2022

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and co-workers during this difficult time. Your service and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Thomas H. Kelly Jr.
Assistant Supervisory Air Marshal in Charge (ASAC)
New York Field Office
Federal Air Marshal Service

June 29, 2022

Thank you sir for your service….and may God hold you in his loving arms for your ultimate sacrifice. Your name will not be forgotten, nor will your sacrifice. I am humbled by the grief your family bears, and will willingly help any one of them in any way I can if they are in need. Prayers continue for your wife, unborn baby and family as they struggle with finding their way through the massive void in your wake.
❤️‍

Peggy Settle, RN
No relationship

June 28, 2022

I miss you man. I went to the gym on Monday and it just isn’t the same without you. But as you would want, we’re all gonna keep pushing. You will be missed and remembered more than you would ever have imagined.

Rest In Peace Brother.

POII Peacock
Spartanburg Police Department

June 28, 2022

God Bless You, Your Family, & Friends.
Thank you for your unselfish service to protect your community.

James P. Waggle, Jr.
US Army Veteran (SFC)
Civilian

June 28, 2022

Austin,

I didn't know you but my family did and for that reason, I wanted to pay my respects. These reflections never get easier. Just know you are honored, your family is in our hands now, your faithful and loyal service will be remembered forever, and your family will always be protected by you while you patrol the streets of Heaven waiting for their reunion with God. God Bless your family and your dedication to this profession. We have the watch from here my blue brother. RIP

Det. C. Whichard - Retired
Rocky Mount, NC Police Department

June 27, 2022

Rest in Peace. You earned it.

A fellow copper
St. Louis Police Department

June 27, 2022

Thank you for your service. God bless you. You have served your country and community well. Prayer's for your family and your department. Go rest high on that mountain your work is done.

RETIRED CPL SANDY SOWELL
Lancaster police department

June 27, 2022

GONE TOO SOON! To Family, Friends, and His Department very sorry for your loss. Good Speed Deputy.

Retired Police Officer
Nassau Bay Texas Police Department

June 26, 2022

Rest, brother.

Sgt. Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

June 26, 2022

A good man, dedicated to his community and country. To the family and friends of Deputy Austin Aldridge please accept my condolences for your loss. His sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Sgt. James Mair (Ret.)
LASD- Denver PD

June 26, 2022

RIP My Brother

Retired Police Officer Maria Alvarez
NYPD

June 25, 2022

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