Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I'm sorry for what happened to you and the life stolen from you by cowards who hide in the dark. I thank you for your service.

Geoffrey Kirwan

September 23, 2023

Nobody gets away with anything. Thank you for your courage and dedication. You were and are still loved by many. Rest in peace sir. You earned it

Jerry
Fellow citizen

September 22, 2023

Whether your killer was ever arrested or not, there's a special place where the highest justice of all is administered for people like them. Rest in peace always knowing that no passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 22, 2020

I served the State of SC for 35 yrs. Many times during those years the older officers spoke of Pressley and several other officers now deceased but never forgotten in the ranks of us that cared for the memory of the fallen gamewardens... that paved the way for the officers now serving our great state. I know Pressley and the others now gone would approved of this new breed. may he always be remembered.

Sgt Lee M. (Skeet) Mills, Jr
SC Dept of Natural Resources

September 22, 2015

Pressley Reeves was my grandfather. I am proud of his work and the courage and fortitude he displayed to do the job that meant so much to him. As the above article points out, "there was strong circumstantial evidence pointing to the murderer". There certainly was, but no one would act on it because of the name of one if the oldest families (as was my grandfather's name; "Reeves" was a very prominent and important name as well, as was the Ott name, Pressley's mother's family) in the area was the assassin's name. My mother never knew her father as she was born 4 months after his murder. She well knew the name of his killer and spoke of it with hatred all of her life. What a travesty and a disgrace his assassin went free! Pressley was a truly dedicated officer whose name rightfully is among heroes. My beloved mother and I never knew him, but we are so fortunate to be his progeny.

Carolyn C. Jones
granddaughter

December 1, 2013

It has been 103 years since the end of your watch and we have not forgotten you. Rest in peace.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables

September 22, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 98th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I am sure you are proud that your family continues your legacy of serving and protecting, and am grateful that your descendants found this site which honors your sacrifice.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

September 22, 2010

i used to flinch from having his middle name.but as a vegetarian,the beautiful irony has brought an amazing pride.i'm very proud of my legacy.thanks, great grandpa!!!

anne wallace wait
greatgranddaughter

March 24, 2010

Your watch ended 101 years ago today. You have not been forgotten. Members of your family still serve in law enforcement in South Carolina. Rest in peace.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables

September 22, 2009

I decided to check and see how many South Carolina officers were take from us a hundred years ago and I found yours to be the only site. I am both honored and proud to have met you through the site and the reflections of your family. I will look you up on the wall the next time I visit the memoral in DC. May you continue to watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

December 18, 2008

Your watch ended one hundred years ago today. You are still remembered by your family and by your law enforcement brothers and sisters. Members of your family still continue in law enforcement. Rest in peace.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables

September 22, 2008

It was 100 years ago today that the unknown assailant murdered you in cold blood. We still think about you and love you. My wife and I also named our newborn son in your memory. Rest in peace, and I'll see you when I get to heaven.

Jamie Green
Great Grandson

September 22, 2008

I was born to Barbara Ann Rogerson & Gene Palamer Wallace, I was adopted in 1952. Many years later I was told the story of your demise. I have visited your grave and with much pride in my heart I am glad that I am one of your great grand daughters. Your spirit and courage has been passed on as I see among these Reflections you have a great grand son who is in law enforcement and you also have a great great grand son who has followed in your footsteps. Rest in peace and know that you one day some one will relieve you on your watch.

Jeanne M Moore
Great Grandaughter

August 11, 2007

"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.

July 11, 2007

Warrior and Hero!

October 8, 2006

It's truly touching to read your reflections and see the legacy you left behind. Even though your life was cut short, it's obvious you are still loved and remembered so many years later. Your ultimate sacrifice should never be forgotten. Please keep a watchful eye over your brothers in blue.

Detective
Orlando Police Dept.

August 12, 2006

As like the others before me I too am a great grand daughter.As far back as I can remember my mother always spoke of you with pride and love.You will never be forgotten.I am proud to have such a great man as part of my family.You were truly a hero.

Beckie R. Bogard (Wallace)
Great Grand Daughter

June 19, 2006

May you rest in peace, dear Grandfather. You will always be remembered with utmost adoration. Until we one day meet each other in Heaven, God Speed, Sir!!

Kellie Needham
Great Granddaughter

May 30, 2006

On December 5, 2005 my wife, one of your granddaughters, told me to read the article concerning SCDNR Law Enforcement officers in (Charleston's) The Post and Courier. She stated that Pressley Reeves was her Grandfather, that your wife who you left behind when your watch ended was pregnant with her Mother.
Rest in peace. It would have been an honor to have gotten to meet you.

State Constable J. L. Green
S. C. State Constable

December 6, 2005

I know this sounds terrible, but today was the first time I've ever heard your name spoken, and it was when my Mother, your Granddaughter, called me to tell me that there was an article in today's paper about you. I never knew you were in Law Enforcement much less I never knew that you were killed and the coward who took you away from my family was never brought to justice. When you were gunned down, you left behind my pregnant Great Grandmother. Now nearly 98 years after the end of your watch, I am doing it for you, and have been for the past 4 years. It's a shame I never got a chance to meet you. Rest in peace my Great Grandfather. Keep Heaven safe until I can get up there and relieve you.

Special Agent J.W. Green
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division

December 5, 2005

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

March 5, 2005

09-22-03, MAY GOD BLESS. YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RETIRED
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

September 22, 2003