Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I personally did not know Trooper Smalls. I was 15 years old when he killed in the line of duty. For the last six years my boyfriend and I travel 95 South to Florida. On this day I am returning home to SC and when I saw the sign that say Jasper County, I remembered Trooper Smalls and I spoke of his tragic death and the sacrifice he made to make our roads of travel safe. Rest In Peace and you will never be forgotten.

Thomasine Green, Traveler

December 31, 2023

Retired Deputy Sheriff Robert Poole, Chatham County Sheriff Dept. I attended Trooper Smalls funeral representing my Dept.,I was deeply moved then and still deeply moved now,some 36 years later.i retired some 12 years ago and I often travel I 95 ,my first thought is always about Trooper Smalls...I surely wish he had made it to a peacefully and I will be there in retirement..Rest in Peace Trooper Smalls.

Sgt Robert Poole
Chatham County Sheriff Dept

May 15, 2021

Rest in peace hero.

J.R.

September 30, 2020

Rest In Peace my brother.

Mic Flynn ret. F.T.O.
Cook County Sheriffs Office

September 27, 2020

Rest in peace always and know that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

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

September 27, 2020

Rest in peace Trooper Smalls.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 28, 2020

Thank you for your service and bravery! I’ve seen a section of highway dedicated to your memory but never knew the story behind it. Rest in peace!

PSO Claude Edwards (Retired)
North Augusta Dept. of Public Safety (SC)

September 28, 2019

Rest easy brother! Never forget!

Judge / Magistrate Sheridan Lynn (former
Aiken County, S.C.

September 26, 2019

A heartfelt salute to you Trooper Smalls.

T. Reid , Lieutenant
Los Angeles County Sheriff, retired

May 14, 2019

God bless.
Your story has touched me.

Sharon. A passer- byer.

March 23, 2019

Always remembered, God speed.

Judge /retired SC Trooper Danny Lynn
Aiken County, SC

September 27, 2017

We never forget! God bless your family, RIP

Judge and former SC Trooper Danny Lynn
Aiken County, SC

September 27, 2016

W.C. Simon was my training officer in kings tree sc .i will forever be grateful of him for his patience with me .he told me of his friendship with you and how dedicated you were and if I were to be half the man you were my career would be a good one

David decker
Prior sc trooper

August 24, 2013

Trooper Smalls,
I had the pleasure of going to school with your son, Bruce. This is a very small world. I never had the pleasure of knowing you, but I can remember hearing stories of you as a Trooper and your niece tanisha is a very close friend. I now share the same thin blue line as you and have become an officer myself, 10yrs strong! Although I was young when hearing the stories of you, I now know the ultimate sacrifice you have made and I want you to know that we got it from here brother!!! God speed!

PFC Shamika L. Sanders
Greenville Police Dept.

September 21, 2011

Trooper Smalls, you have not been forgotten. Rest in Peace as you continue watching over your family.

Detective #20637
Chicago, Illinois Police Department

December 14, 2009

No words can truly express how much I miss you Uncle Bruce. I am grateful that I have so many wonderful memories of you to hold close to my heart. As a kid I can remember the frighten feel I had when being tossed up in the air, only to be overcome by a joyful laugh once I was caught in your loving arms. I can still remember running out the door to greet you with a big hug after hearing the toot of your police siren pulling up outside. I can never forget riding my bike to your house to play with my cousins while you and my mom talked about the latest grown-up stuff. You were and always will be the greatest man that I will ever meet. You were our angel while on earth and I know that you are in heaven looking over us daily. Even though it was but for a short while I thank God for allowing you to be in my life and I thank Him for giving me the honor and privilege of knowing you........I can't wait to see you again!! Love you and miss you!!!!!

Tanisha Taylor (Smalls)
Niece

September 30, 2009

Bruce, I love and miss you so much. What a BIG BROTHER!! Man, you got on my nerves trying to tell me what to do. I often think about some of the things you used to say and find myself giggling. Remember the ole oak tree! YOU WERE THE BEST...Love ya.

Catherine
Sister

April 3, 2009

Bro:

Thinking about You today.....

Michael B. Parlor

January 27, 2009

I had the privilege of knowing Bruce Smalls, when we were Military Policemen in Germany in the early 70's. Bruce was a kind hearted, dedicated soldier and MP. He did his job very professionally, and always had a smile. I came across this site and found that he had died in the line of duty, and was totally shocked. I remember when he was getting ready to leave the Army and said he was going to be a trooper. He did, he did well. He served his community and paid the ultimate sacrifice. God bless you Bruce..Rest in peace my friend. I know you are in the arms of God.
to the Smalls family..God bless you and shine his face upon you with grace and mercy and comfort.

Jim Walker
Bryan, Texas
A Friend

Jim Walker Private Citizen

October 26, 2008

RIP Brother in Blue. May your killer rot in hell!

Patrolman D. Kirk #309
Round Lake Heights PD (IL)

September 27, 2007

Well Dad, it's been 22 years..my how time flies! I mean I can remember when we were just saying four years, six years, and now 22 years! I'm still going strong and carrying on! Your memory will live forever in my heart and of those that loved you! Continue to get your rest Dad and your fellow officers and I will continue on!! "A man that put other lives before his own....is a true hero!!!"

Kevin Smalls
Son

September 27, 2007

I truly attempt to refrain from discussing my opinions regarding the punishment that should have been meted out to cop killers. Trooper Smalls' murder truly hit me hard.

SCHP was my first boyhood dream of being a cop. As a young child, I used to pretnd that I was a SCHP Trooper patrolling the highways of Charleston, Beaufort, and Jasper Counties. I graduated high school in Beaufort and being a USMC Brat, I came all the way to San Diego just to avoid all the DI's who I knew at Parris Island.

Recanting her testimony to stop the execution makes me wish sometimes that all three in that RV had been executed. But I will say no more.

I am happy that in honor of Trooper Smalls a street bears his name. Tonight, this Cowboy will be at a local watering hole, having a drink in memory of Officer Kubly LAPD and Trooper Smalls SCHP.

May they both Rest-In-Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

September 27, 2007

Trooper Smalls it has been twenty-two years since the end of your watch and you are still remembered. You will not be forgotten. Thank you for the years of service you devoted to the citizens of South Carolina. May God continue to bless you and your family. Rest in peace my brother.

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

September 27, 2007

Bruce, was a trooper who called in every traffic stop in full detailed. He was a trooper respected and well liked. We worked the same shift (7A-3P) the week of his fatal accident up to Thursday, September 26, 1985. The loss of Bruce, was a blow to our small one room office in Jasper County. We were in the process of moving into a new building. Bruce monitored the status of the building and kept us informed. Sadly, he never got a chance to work out of the new office. It was a pleasure to dispatch for SCHP with Bruce on duty. His memories will live on.

Retired TCS Shirley L. Young
South Carolina Highway Patrol - Communications

July 28, 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