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I was a young teenager when uncle Harry was gunned down- but I will always remember how full of life he was & how proud he & his brother my uncle William were to serve the state of SC as state troopers. I still think of some of the things we did -going to the beach, family get to gathers, etc. He will always be young in my mind (I'm 66). I am so sorry his children did not have him as long as my brothers & I did. Emma Ray Parnell 50 years have passed since you gave your all but the years have in no way dimmed the brilliance of the life you lived and the service you rendered. It is my privilege to honor you on this day, Patrolman Ray. A Grateful Citizen Thank you for your service to the citizens of South Carolina. You have not been forgotten. Rest in peace. State Constable J.L. Green "The Badge" Investigator David L Bell "No person was ever honoured for what he received. Honour has been the reward for what he gave." Debbie Brewer I was nearing my fifth birthday when your life was taken. Who could know that forty-seven years later my family, especially our daughter, would know the same pain that your family experienced? I hope that your family found a way to honor your life and your sacrifice by living their own lives to the fullest. Rest in God's peace. Debbie Brewer My Uncle Harry died when I was three years old. We have all the clippings from the murder to the trial. I talked with my Aunt (Uncle Harry's wife, last year) She lives in Columbia and is doig well. There was an article in the State Paper in recent years that may be in the archives concerning his death. His children are all doing great and are successful. My father was a High Patrol at the time Uncle Harry died. My father died of Cancer in 1961 at the age of 37. I was told that my father never got over the death of his Brother Harry Boyd Ray. I vaguely remember me and my family visiting my Uncle as a child. From what I am told, he was a wonderful, caring person. Jackie Ray Wingard Harry Ray was my uncle, although he was killed a year before I was born. I know that he and my dad were close as he would tell me that Harry liked to come by the house to see him and he would turn on the siren as he pulled up in the driveway to let everyone know he was there. My family told me that Harry was the kind of person that everyone liked-he made friends wherever he went. He was also a US Navy veteran. Harry grew up in a large family and all of his brothers and his sister grew up to be successful in what they chose to do. My brother told me that this incident created incredible trauma for our entire family. Harry was loved by many people. I have other stories and family information about Harry and this case. Thomas Ray This happened a long, long time ago
Patrolman Ray, you are not forgotten, RIP brother, and God Bless You, and your family and friends
I was a rookie SC Highway Patrolman when Harry was murdered. I recall the massive state-wide search that involved each and every one of us that tragic day, and the days that followed. Harry Ray's murder definitely changed the way I approached my duties from that day forward, and to the day I retired from law enforcement. A great friend of mine with the SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED)solved that murder and was instrumental in obtaining the death penalty for two of the three violent criminals. Harry Boyd Ray's murder was a major turning point in my law enforcement career. I had become lax, complacent and unconcerned about my own safety and the real dangers involving the duties I was sworn to uphold. I often think of Harry's family, i.e., where are they, how are they doing, how did they survive after his death. David Barrineau I was 12 years old when Patrolman Ray lost his life. His death marked a transition from my childhood concept of "everything is always good" to facing the reality of "bad things happen to good people." I followed every word of this case in the Spartanburg Herald, even through the day that two of the three killers were executed in the electric chair. The third person involved got life and 30 years at the last moment. I later had an opportunity to meet this third person in 1965 at Spartanburg Methodist College as he spoke with a group called "Operation Get Smart." He appeared to have genuine remorse for his part (get away driver) in this crime. Patrolman Ray had a newborn son, had pleaded for his life, but was shot by Britt and Wesbury anyway. This is the part that Levon Tilson (third man) regretted most. I often think of Patrolman Ray and wonder about his son. It would be my honor to one day meet this man and let him know that even though I have never met him,he has been a part of me since his father's death. I am thankful for the law enforcement officers I have served through the years in my churches, especialy Retired Patrolman David Burgess Wardlaw who was, and continues to be, a true inspiration and holds the highest ideals for law and order. I am thankful to him for his remembrances of this tragic event in the life of our great state. Respectfully submitted with deep appreciation for Patrolman Ray's service to South Carolina and all law enforcement, active, retired, or killed in the line of duty. Rev. Barry L. Brown, United Methodist Minister Rev. Barry L. Brown 09-07-03, A HERO NEVER DIES. GONE, BUT NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER. MAY GOD BLESS. CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RETIRED Rest easy, Troop. You are not forgotten. Never. A hero lost but an angel to guide those unfortunate who follow. Thank you for your sacrafice. Thank you. Deputy M. Moore
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