Patrolman Marion Charles Steele South Carolina Highway Patrol South Carolina Saturday, September 10, 1966  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

I remember going to the river and Charles trying to teach Gb how to ski. Her head was on one side of the boat and her feet (still in the skis) were on the other side. We all got a big laugh out of this.I remember him being tall and handsome in his crisp Highway Patrol uniform. I was only 10 when Charles left us, but it devastated our whole family.

Susan Steele
Niece
2009-06-28

I had the pleasure and privilege of working in Highway Patrol District #1 as a Patrolman along with Bob Steele, brother of Marion Charles Steele. Both were unusually fine officers; and a real credit to the law enforcement profession.

Special Agent David Barrineau - Retired
Bureau of ATF & SC Highway Patrol
2009-06-06

Daddy,
It has been a life time since you were so suddenly taken from us. I was the oldest at only five years old, but I cherish the few memories that time has not robbed me of you. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you and wonder how my life would be different if you could have been there.
I know that you would be as proud of your grandchildren as I am. Your legacy lives on in their eyes. They will know of the sacrifices that you made to serve your family and community.
Your short life has had a lasting impact on everyone you touched. From your family members to the merchants of the town of McBee where we lived, everyone knows of Charles Steele and what an honorable man you were.
Your loving son, Mike.

Mike Steele
Son
2008-03-08

Patrolman Steele thank you for your service to the citizens of South Carolina. It has been forty-one years since the end of your watch and you are still remembered. May God continue to bless you and your loved ones. Rest in peace my brother.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables
2007-09-10

"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 whos 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
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept.
2007-07-11

"No person was ever honoured for what he received. Honour has been the reward for what he gave."
--Calvin Coolidge

Debbie Brewer
caring citizen & COPS member
2007-06-25

28, our son's age. So young, leaving behind a young wife and three tiny little children. My heart breaks for them and for all you missed in seeing the babies grow up. Why does man war against the God of heaven and take the life of another? God will judge. Rest in His Peace.

Debbie Brewer
citizen and COPS member
2007-05-08

My father Larry D. Smith of Spartanburg was a 1961 graduate of the South Carolina Highway Patrol School and was the roommate of Patrolman Steele. My late father always honored his classmates memory and thought very highly of his classmate. I shall always remember the stories told to me about this classmates and friends.

Michael L. Smith

Michael Larry Smith
son of Sheriff Larry D. Smith
2006-12-23

I WILL NEVER FORGET THE DAY THAT TROOPER STEELE WAS SHOT AND KILLED.I WAS 20YRS OLD AT THE TIME.TROOPER STEELE HAD PULLED A VEHICLE FOR SPEEDING ON US1 ABOUT 5 MILES NORTH OF MCBEE,S.C.THERE WAS (2)YOUNG MALES AND A YOUNG FEMALE IN THE VEHICLE.TROOPER STEELES REVOLVER WAS WRESTLED FROM HIM AND HE WAS KILLED BY HIS OWN WEAPON.THE SUSPECTS WERE APPREHENDED LATER AT THE STATE PARK IN MYRTLE BEACH,S.C.THEY WERE SENT TO PRISON AND ALL WERE RELEASED IN THE LATE 90S.TROOPER STEELE HAS A BROTHER RETIRED FROM THE S.C.HIGHWAY PATROL.HIS NAME IS BOB STEELE.GOD BLESS THE STEELE FAMILY.ALTHOUGH HE HAS BEEN DEAD FOR MANY YEARS,HE STILLLIVES ON IN MANY HEARTS.A HERO FOR SURE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RETIRED
JEFFERSON,S.C.PD