Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Lt. Schlatterer,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during World War II. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

July 25, 2024

Columbia Central to 301LT.Philip George Schlatterer Is Neg Contact Your Ultimate Living Sacrifice We Never Be forgotten or in Vain We Will Continue to Cover Your Watch Rest Easy 10-42 EOW THANKS LT FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS DIE TO SERVE AND PROTECT

Willie J Hampton
Blue LOD PATRIOT

March 19, 2022

In 1974 I was a Deputy Sheriff with the Richland County Sheriff's Dept. working the 71 Area on midnight shift when RCSD received request for assistance from Columbia PD regarding the shooting of Lt. Schlatterer. After the Lt. was shot two CPD officers chased the perp to the old Sears Store in Five Points, but ran out of ammo after cornering him by the garden center against a ten foot concrete wall. Deputies from RCSD responded to location with shotguns and extra ammo. Dep. Steve Harper and I were firing over original CPD car that chased suspect in. Between shotgun and .38 I fired over fifty rds. A SLED agent arrived with their Bomb van and had a tear gas gun which he shot several rds. at suspect, causing him to charge out of bushes he was hiding behind. Everyone there cut lose on him and he dropped with over twenty wounds. I also attended Lt. Schlatterer funeral, my first of too many!

ATSAIC William Allen Lowe (Ret)
US Secret Service/DHS former Deputy RCSD

March 3, 2022

LT Schlatterer, every night at work I drive by the spot of your death in the line of duty as part of my normal patrol. You gave your life before I was born, but I see here how great your impact was on the community and how much everyone loved you. You're not a guy that got shot on the job. You're Columbia's hero. Thank you for your duty and ultimate sacrifice.

OFC JH Allen
All

May 23, 2021

Rest Easy 46 years old 0100 you gave the ultimate sacrifice We Continue remembering you You Have wonderful children and grandchildren

Willie Hampton
Great State SC CITY COLUMBIA COUNTY RICHLAND FOREST ACRES I AM GAURDI

July 25, 2020

"When a good man is hurt, all who would be called good must suffer with him.”

Euripides

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

November 8, 2015

I was an Officer in the City but was not at the shooting. I knew Philip as a very good man and was liked by everyone. I understood that Philip went in ally way between two home unarmed to talk the criminal into surrendering. The killer shot Philip in the chest. That was the kind of person He was.

Clyde Hess
Friend

November 25, 2014

My Dad, Luther Wallace, was also involved n the shootout with the suspect and was shot in the face. His partner was also shot in the leg.

Friend
Friend

October 26, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 36th 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 who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 25, 2010

I was a Deputy Sheriff with Richland County at the time and was involved in the shootout with the suspect who killed Lt. Schlatterer. That was one of the longest nights of my Law Enforcement Career and I was glad I was able to help with the apprehension and death of his killer. My Uncle Joe Step was a patrolman on Lt. Schlatterer's shift and he was on vacation on the night of the event. As I recall, we ran out of ammunition during the shootout and we were throwing railroad flares at him until ammunition arrived. Some Sears company vehicles were shot up and two Columbia Officers were wounded by pellets glancing off of the pavement. One's name was Wallace and I don't recall the other Officers name. I still remember the incident to this day.

Retired Deputy Sheriff
Formerly of Richland County Sheriffs

May 11, 2010

LT. YOUR BUDDIES REMEMBER WITH COMPASSION AND GREAT THANKS TOM MCCLOGERY ESTELL YOUNG AND MANY OTHERS

WILLIE HAMPTON
FRIEND OF CPD

October 21, 2009

As my career's end is coming closer, I decided to check and find those who had lost their lives during the year that I was hired. While it's been many years since your passing, I'm sure those you left behind and those whom with you served with distinction have kept you alive in their memories. Thank you for your service and for looking out for us who continue in our chosen profession. Rest in peace Lt. Schlatterer.

Sgt. Robert Mau Sr.
PD Joliet IL

December 17, 2008

Lieutenant Schlatterer,
I will be riding in your HONOR in the 2009 Police Unity Tour. Thank you for your service and dedication.

Sgt. Medina
Jacksonville Beach PD

September 16, 2008

Sir:

Thank You for having served a community where many of my family/friends reside.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

July 25, 2007

July 25, 2007, Today, we pause in honor of Lt. Schlatterer and others alike who have given their lives in the service of others.

Sgt. C. D. Butzer
Columbia Police Department

July 25, 2007

I never got to meet my great-uncle Phil, as he was gunned down several years before I was born.
Thank you for this memorial.
Eric Friedman
Sarasota, FL

Eric Friedman
Nephew

May 20, 2007

IF YOU KNOW THE BACKGROUND OF THIS CASE AND THE EVENTS OF THAT PERILOUS NIGHT, THEN YOU ALSO KNOW THE COMMITMENT AND COURAGE SHOWN BY LT. SCHLATTERER TO TAKE UP THE SEARCH FOR THIS WANTED AND VERY DANGEROUS SUBJECT. HE WAS ENTRUSTED TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF COLUMBIA AND TO THIS END HE GAVE HIS VERY LIFE. HIS LIFE AND SERVICE TO MANKIND REPRESENTS WHAT EVERY POLICE OFFICER AND FIRE FIGHTED STAND FOR TODAY. LOOK CLOSE AT THE FACE OF THIS MAN AND YOU WILL SEE REFLECTED, HONOR, COMPASSION,COURAGE,AND LOYALTY.THIS MAN WAS MORE THAN A POLICE OFFICER, HE WAS A PEACE OFFICER.REST WELL LIEUTENANT.

CAPTAIN GEORGE BOOTH
STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION S.C.

April 25, 2006

May you rest in peace my brother in blue. May God bless your family.

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

January 26, 2006

GOD BLESS YOU LIEUTENANT PHILIP GEOREGE

WILLIE HAMPTON
FREIND OF THE POLICE DEPT. C.P.D

August 19, 2005

Very impressive that the city of Columbia chose to honor Lt. Schlatterer in this way on the anniversary of his death. RIP.

anonymous
civilian

July 25, 2005

07-25-05, MY BROTHER, I AM PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT TODAY, THANKS TO YOUR DAUGHTER AND ONE OF HER FRIENDS, PART OF GERVAIS STREET IN COLUMBIA,S.C. WAS NAMED IN YOUR HONOR. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO INFORM OTHERS THAT YOUR DAUGHTER IS A OFFICER WITH THE JACKSONVILE BEACH POLICE DEPT. MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY AND LOVE ONES. I WOULD ALSO MENTION THAT YOUR FORMER CHIEF, WHO IS RETIRED , ATTENDED THIS GREAT CELEBRATION. GOD BLESS.

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

July 25, 2005

July 25, 2005
Today the 2100 Block of Gervais Street in Columbia, SC will be named for Lt. Schlatterer, 31 years after he was murdered in the same block.

M/D Russell Brewton
Richland County Sheriff's Department

July 25, 2005

MY BROTHER, 30 YEARS AGO TODAY, YOU GAVE YOUR LIFE SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE A SAFER LIFE ON THIS EARTH. YOU ARE A HERO. MAY YOU NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. YOU SERVED WELL MY BROTHER.

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

July 25, 2004

The policeman stood and faced his 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, 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 is 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 to steep.
And I never passed a cry for help
though at times 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 judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman.
You've borne you burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets.
You've done your time in Hell"

G. Houston
South Carolina

September 19, 2003