Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace always knowing 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 10, 2020

Rest in peace Patrolman Steele.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 10, 2019

What has to happen to keep these low life's locked up!! God bless you brother god

Judge /retired SC Trooper Danny Lynn
Aiken County, SC

September 10, 2017

i was 7 years old when mr steele was lost to us all.his son michael. was my best friend.his dad and my dad were best friends too. we went everywhere together all the time.i so miss old charlie .please know im not being dis respectful i n calling him charlie. my dad Officer A.W. Mckinney who is dead and gone always called him. Charlie too. He will always represent the honor and valor which i have grown up with!my name is barry w. mckinney. thankyou officer C.M. Steele

Barry Mckinney
close friend/son of trooper a.w. mckinney

October 6, 2015

I am very proud of my Uncle Charles Marion Steele for his service to the folks of South Carolina. He was a honest hard working man that loved his family and the outdoors. The loss was great for our family. As many don't realize, officers have kids, a wife, moms and dads, and extended family. It is sad that you can kill anyone and be released as these three were, especially the shooter. I understand he has a contracting firm, and tried to get his record expunged so he could contract out of the country. That is just wrong and the wrong message to send. I pray that we learn and correct these forms of disrespect to the memory of slain officers. RIP Charles, we think of you always

Tommy
Nephew

November 30, 2014

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 47th anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. 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.

I pray for the solace of all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their devotion to you through their reflections.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

May 4, 2013

I remember as if this were yesterday. It was a sad day in McBee. It is a small town where everyone knows each other. I lived there at the time!!! I remember going to the inquest. I remember the name Kenneth Flemming. One other guy and a girl were involved. They had stolen a new 67 Mustang.. The were arrested at Myrtle Beach State Park.. I was only 12 when this happened...

maurice Murff

December 3, 2012

He lived 28 short years on this earth, but his life and legacy continue to bless our family even today 45 years later. It's amazing what a bullet could not stop. I enjoy hearing stories of my dad. He lives for me in the eyes of those who knew him well. Their eyes light as they remember him, though the loss is evident. He lived greatly and loved deeply. His blood runs like a river through my veins and his spirit is alive for me and so many others. I pray for healing for all who know this kind of loss.
Special thanks to those who maintain this memorial page.

Layne Steele McCrostie
daughter, youngest of his three children

December 12, 2011

A wonderful man, that loved his family and his god. A honest hardworking man, just doing his job. Killed for no reason. Our system allow his killers to go free. We love and miss you, rest in peace.

Tommy Pierce
Nephew

December 9, 2011

We continue to honor you for your service to the citizens of South Carolina. You will not be forgotten.

Rest in peace.

Lois Rao
Surviving Mother, SCHP Sr. Trooper Michael J. Rao, EOW June 12, 2002

November 15, 2011

Trooper Steele-
The day you left this world was the day I entered this world.
I am touched in reading the reflections left in your honor.
I am a deputy sheriff, serving as a criminal investigator, and have been for 17 years.
Although I just discovered your story, I will keep you in mind from this point on, in my day-to-day work, and as a training officer.

Det. Sgt. Douglas Boeringer
Lincoln County Sheriff's Department

June 20, 2011

Trooper Steele,
You were sent to the lords house to be with God the day after I was born in Los Angeles, CA. God Bless you and your family, as you sit beside our savior and watch over us.
I became a police officer in 1990 and I can only hope I conducted myself as honorable as you did during your time on the south carolina highway patrol.
The citizens of that great state should be proud to have had such a fine man as you protecting thier highways.
Rest in Peace warrior,rest in peace

wayne cespedes
LAPD (90-07)

December 14, 2010

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

June 28, 2009

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

June 6, 2009

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

March 8, 2008

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

September 10, 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

"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

June 25, 2007

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

May 8, 2007

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

December 23, 2006

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