In life, there are rare occasions when you meet someone that just makes you smile, and brings out the best in you, and has a positive glow all about him. I had the great privilege and honor of knowing just such a man, Officer Terrance Carraway. As I am emotionally torn, it would be a shame for me not to recognize the selfless contributions that Officer Carraway made for his nation as a retired military police officer, and in his community where he was still serving as a police officer. On Oct. 3, Officer Carraway’s life was taken in the line of duty.
In the 20 years that I have known you, sir, you were always smiling and professional and the beacon of selflessness. I never once heard you say a mean word about anyone. Never! I never heard you use profanity. I’m so glad that you got to fulfill your path in life as one who serves others, a protector. Officer Carraway, I want to thank you for making me a better person, husband, and Christian. I know your family, friends, and community are grieving. All of us that knew you are so proud of your life’s accomplishments and the virtues you embodied. One of my biggest regrets is that my son’s never had the chance to me you. Although we were geographically separated and we had not seen each other in about 8 years, your impact upon me was profound. I will share your life’s accomplishments with my sons, and let them know how good of a person you truly were.
Great people don’t have to be rich or famous, they just need to be themselves and the best will come out of them and in turn it they will bring out the best in others. I salute you sir, and I will . . . I will deeply, deeply miss you! GOD bless you sir.
Original Source: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article219477155.html
SC cop killed was ‘bravest police officer,’ 30 years on the force, and Air Force vet
Terrence Carraway, the officer killed Wednesday by a shooter in Florence, S.C., was being remembered Thursday as an Air Force veteran, youth league football coach, and tireless detective who had just celebrated 30 years in law enforcement.
Seven South Carolina law enforcement officers were shot while serving a warrant Wednesday afternoon, including two police officers and two sheriff’s deputies with serious injuries,reported The State. The suspected shooter was Fred Hopkins, 74, who lived at the residence where the shootings occurred, reported WMBF.
Carraway was an officer with the Florence Police Department, which announced in a tweetthat it was hosting a public viewing for the fallen officer on Monday. A memorial service will follow at noon officials tweeted.
“I want you to pray for the family who lost the bravest police officer I have ever known,” Florence Police Chief Allen Heidler told media outlets after Wednesday’s shooting, according to WLTX. “Today marks a horrible day, I lost a good friend of mine, my friend for 30 years.”
At a news conference on Thursday, Heidler called Carraway’s death “a tragic loss” and said the shooting occurred when the officer tried to help deputies in an area outside the police department’s jurisdiction. “He was the epitome of a community police officer,” Heidler said. “This was his life and this was what he wanted to do. Service to Florence was his passion.”
Florence County officials told TV station WPDE Carraway was pronounced dead at a hospital, and an autopsy is to be performed Thursday.
Carraway, 52, was recently recognized for 30 years of service with the police department, reported McClatchy. He lived in Darlington, which is 11 miles northwest of Florence,reported TV station WMBF.
Officials with the Florence Police told McClatchy he also worked for years with the department’s Police Athletic League youth program, where he served as a coach for multiple sports and “whatever else they needed for.” The program includes youth sports and fitness camps, according to the department.
“He had a passion for kids,” Heidler said at a press conference. “He was a giant of a man, but he was the proverbial gentle giant.”
Florence city councilwoman Pat Gibson-Hye Moore said Carrawy helped start a camp, and she was wearing a T-shirt with the Camp Fear logo on it to Thursday’s news conference.
He was an Air Force veteran of the 315th Airlift Wing stationed out of Charleston Air Force Base, according to a Facebook post by the command. The post said Carraway retired as a Technical Sergeant.
Steven G. Smith said, in a comment on the Facebook post, that Carraway was an “awesome” mentor.
Carraway’s Facebook page shows that he loved the Oakland Raiders and was a fan of motorcycles.
The Copperheads Motorcycle Club announced late Wednesday the group would be riding in Carraway’s procession “to honor his life and sacrifice”; the group was inviting other bikers to join the procession.
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Tributes started pouring in on social media with people remembering him as a beloved family man who was respected and appreciated by all.
David Stikeleather of Hickory, North Carolina, called Carraway “a true hero” in one of the many Facebook tributes that were created in Carraway’s honor.
“Terrence was a wonderful friend and very dedicated Police Officer!” posted Pam Osbourne on Facebook. “You will be missed everyday. … Police Officers and first responders put their lives on the line everyday. Thank you for protecting all of us.”
“Please pray for the Carraway Family!” posted Surfside Beach resident Melissa Hardwick Welch, in a tribute to the officer. “Officer Carraway served his community to the fullest, his service and love for others will not go unnoticed.”
Condolences to the Florence Police included a tweet from President Donald Trump: “We are forever grateful for what our Law Enforcement Officers do.”
Evangelist Franklin Graham posted on Facebook that he was “heartbroken” for the loved ones of Carraway. “We owe our deepest gratitude to law enforcement officers who stand on the front lines every day protecting our families and communities,” Graham wrote.
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