Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I wish I had a reflection to post about you, but you were taken far too soon, before I was born, but...I used to love playing in my room, wearing your air force hat as a kid. I didn't realise it at the time, but it made me feel connected to you. Going on almost 3 years now, I had my first and only son and I gave him you're name in remembrance. I love you and wish more than anything you were still here with us.

Leah Seestadt
Grand daughter.

November 11, 2024

Always thinking of you and your family. You will be remembered. I remember how you greeted most people on the job." Hello sheriff". Ned hethington cpd retired

Edward Hethington
Charleston police department 1972 2006

May 30, 2023

Today is Veterans Day and I want to Thank you for serving in our military as well as for law enforcement. You will always be remembered by me for your service. I am truly honored to know that I had a great uncle who served and served and protected.

Beverly Bishop
Great niece

November 11, 2022

I only knew officer Snider as the “old guy on King St.” He, nevertheless, had a major impact on my life. The day after he was killed, and 3 days after our twin boys were born, I was standing in the Sears parking lot with two other officers on night shift, discussing the senseless murder which occurred 2 blocks away, when someone took a shot at us. We yelled at a student walking in front of the College of Charleston and the suspect popped up from behind a car and took off running. We pursued and he quickly was cornered and arrested. Before this, I had often pondered whether or not I could use my weapon in the line of duty. I reasoned that, if necessary to preserve life, I could. Very noble of me. In the adrenaline pumped exhilaration and painful anger of losing a fellow officer; I came painfully close to shooting that kid in the back as he fled. The only think preventing me was my Corporal was in front of me in the line of fire as we ran. I thank God that the suspect tried to get into a locked building and surrendered instead of running down the street; the outcome would likely have been very different. It turned out to be a drunk student breaking into a friend’s car to get something he left in it. The ‘gunshot’ was when he broke out a window. In that moment my moral high ground of how and when I might use my weapon was obliterated. Through the Grace of God, I didn’t shoot that kid, but in that angry, fearful moment, I not only could, I wanted to shoot. I was not and am not the good guy I thought I was at that time. I was a lost sinner, and came face to face of the evil I was capable of doing. I needed a Savior and found Him. I thank God that He used this senseless, tragic murder to help lead me to the Cross.

Jim Graham (ex-patrolman)
Charleston PD

September 28, 2019

I still have a photograph of that Kress, which I took shortly after that tragic shooting.....

Michael B. Parlor

September 24, 2019

Rest in peace Patrolman Snider.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 12, 2019

Patrolman Snider,
On today, the 40th 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. Armed Forces during the the Korean and Vietnam Wars. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

March 2, 2019

I was very young when this happened to you but I want you to know that there are so many times I remember our family telling me what happened to you. I truly wish I had of had the honor to meet you and I thank you for serving our country and for being a law enforcement officer...You will never be forgotten by me ever...

Beverly Bishop
Great Neice

June 26, 2018

Patrolman Snider,
On today, the 36th 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 in the U.S. Army. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

March 2, 2015

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

March 2, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 33rd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was murdered on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I pray for solace for all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

March 2, 2012

It's nice to be able to reflect on you, my old friend. I was but a rookie and you so close to retirement when you were killed so senselessly. May you rest in peace Charlie. I hope there's better coffee than we used to share.

Pfc. John T. Mood
Charleston Police Dept. (Retired)

May 19, 2011

Officer Snider it has been 30 years since the end of your watch and you have not been forgotten. Rest in peace my brother.

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

March 2, 2009

I must be getting old. I still remember the “Old City Jail,” that is long-gone from downtown Charleston. As a child I spent a lot of time listening to “Old Timers” tell tales of life as a cop in Charleston. The Charleston Police Department was the first agency I applied with for employment.

PM Bean was the second officially recorded Charleston Police Department officer murdered in the line-of-duty. Three suspects were later arrested, and apparently, PM Bean was shot and killed by a suspect whose only reason for shooting him was that the suspect was drunk (This was not the first person the suspect had murdered). The location of PM Bean’s murder was at the intersection of King Street and Columbus Street.

Interestingly nearly 80 years later, that location and surrounding area was known for its violence even when I was growing up in Charleston. In fact, in 1979, when I was still a teenager in college, I was attacked by a butcher knife – wielding (apparently deranged) woman, at the very intersection where PM Bean lost his life. PM Charles Snider was a street cop to whom I often spoke while he walked a foot beat on King Street. Later, in the same year that I was attacked, PM Charles Snider was shot and killed in what was considered “the good side of town,” on King Street, close to my college dorm……….

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

April 21, 2008

Patrolman Snider,
On today, the 29th anniversary of your murder, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Charleston. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

March 2, 2008

"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 9, 2007

RIP Charles Alvin SNIDER-You never gave me a hard time for being such a "brat" at the College of Charleston....Semper Fi, M. B. P.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC/LAPD

August 14, 2006

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

August 24, 2004

MY BROTHER, YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. A HERO NEVER IS. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. YOU SERVED WELL.

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

March 2, 2004