Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My 3 1/2 year old Grandson is named Marcus. His
Grandfather and his Dad's best friend are cops in
Bellingham, WA. Marcus enjoys writing citations and
declares that he's "a policeman, too!" It is such a
noble, but dangerous profession. Marcus, you have a
darling smile and it's easy to see you loved what you did and made a positive impact. It's too bad there is an
evil presence in our society that makes your job necessary, but thanks for having the guts to wear that
uniform. May God mend the broken pieces, He has all
the time in the world.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

June 5, 2007

As a Reserve Deputy with the Greeville County Sheriff's Office I rode with Marcus many times and he made me feel like his equally.
My last memory of Marcus was the previous Saturday when I was working with another Deputy and we were out on a vehicle stop and called for a back up - who showed u-yes Marcus.
His funeral, which I had the honor to attend. was one of the most moving experiences of my life.

Donald F McInally
Former Reserve Deputy Greenville County Sheriffs Office

May 16, 2007

It is hard to believe that eight years have passed since the night Marc's life was taken from him. I will never forget the sacrifice he made or how he took charge of the scene that night. Marcus was truly a good person who cared for others.

MASTER DEPUTY BRAD MCALISTER
GREENVILLE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

May 2, 2007

Marcus and I have been fishing together up off Hwy 11 in northern Greenville County. I met him through a mutual friend during our endeavors. He is best described as a person everyone liked and admired. I think of him all the time especially when I see someone else smile while catching a fish. Hope you're catching them for all of us up there! I miss you! J.W.

Formerly Deputy II, J. W.
Greenville County Sheriff's Office

January 11, 2007

Although I never met Marcus I felt the significance of his loss. Earlier in the year, we lost one of our own in a tragic incident. It's hard to feel the connection to someone you've never met unless you've gone through a similar experience. We heard about it down in Charleston and it opened up those wounds again. I remember how deeply affected I was by Marcus's death because of problems with our own Waffle Houses. However, it wasn't until I met Marcus' mother(unsuspectedly) and one of her friends on a subway train in D.C. during the police memorial in 2000. There were only a couple of us on the train, and being in a big city I felt obligated to make sure that the two ladies got to their destination safely.I noticed that Ms. Whitfield had a memorial band on her arm, and for some reason I felt like I knew who she was there for. After striking up a small conversation with her she told me who she was, and asked me if I knew what happened to Marcus. I told her that I was familiar and that she didn't have to explain any further. I'll tell you that I was deeply moved by her graceful handling and discussion of Marcus'death. I know that she felt like she had been betrayed by those two that shot him. They reminded her of the same kids that she had been teaching in her school everyday. I knew what she meant, she wanted to say to those two, "How dare you, I've poured my life into low income area schools, how could you repay me by taking my son's life." Even so there was no bitterness in her voice. I will never forget meeting her.I hope Ms. Whitfield, that God has supplied you with the grace and strength that you have needed over the past 7. years. His love never fails.Jesus said, "See, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to repay all according to their deeds. I am the Alpha, and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End(Rev. 22:12-13,NLT)."Take comfort that the Lord is true and righteous, and his judgement will bring true justice, and peace to your heart.-John

Sgt. John T Reeves
Charleston PD

December 6, 2006

I just wrote a paper about you last week! Miss you so so so much! I love you!

November 8, 2006

Marc, you are truly missed by myself and the rest of us here at the Greenville County Sheriif's Office. You are often in my thoughts and you and your family are in my prayers. Rest In Peace My Brother!

Master Deputy Reuben Black
Greenville County Sheriff's Office

August 25, 2006

To the family and loved ones of Deputy Sheriff Marcus Lyman Whitfield and his fellow officers with the Greenvile County Sheriff's Department:

On this the seventh anniversary of Marc's tragic death, I wanted to honor and remember him today. Although I never had the privilege of meeting Marc, I feel as if I know him through the loving reflections left by loved ones and friends. Marc's valor and courage will never be forgotten.

I hope that God is holding him in the sweetest part of his heart and the most gentle part of his soul.

I am so sorry that Marc was robbed of his life so young and so tragically, but through his heroism and the profound sense of duty with which he lived his life, he made an immeasurable difference. May his spirit continue to soar and may his memory continue to inspire.

Hopefully, the parole hearing resulted in the continued incarceration of the scum that shot Marc. Marc's murderer should not even be eligible for parole.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service Marc gave to his community and the citizens of South Carolina, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on August 15, 1999.

Phyllis L. Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD
eow 4/24/05

August 14, 2006

TO THE FAMILY OF DEPUTY WHITFIELD:
REMEMBERING MARC ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH.
(THAT WORD IS SO HARD TO TYPE/SAY. IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE NOT HERE. IT FEELS LIKE THEY ARE JUST AWAY DOING SOMETHING AND THAT THEY WILL WALK IN THE DOOR ANY MINUTE.)
GOD BLESS YOU AND GIVE YOU THE COMFORT THAT YOU NEED NOW AND ALWAYS.

LORRAINE BOND (MOTHER)
HAMILTON COUNTY, TN. DEPUTY SHERIFF:
DONALD K. BOND, JR.
EOW: 09.06.01

August 13, 2006

I just wanted to say that I received an e-mail regarding the parole hearing coming up for the maggot that did this to you, and myself and the family of a fallen Deputy (Blake Gammill) here in GA wrote a letter contesting this parole. It shouln't even be an option. This maggot needs to stay behind bars(he should actually be put to death). We pray that he is kept behind bars!

Shelley Bullock
R.E.C.O.N. Intelligence Search and Rescue

August 1, 2006

You have been gone so long,
Our thoughts of your are stil string.
You served us well,
You rewards will be great.


to your family our love and thoughts and prayers are with you

Jeanine Williams
GCEMS

April 16, 2006

One morning I was driving my Chevy S10 down Hwy 153 to get to work early in Greenville. The sun had not come up yet, and traffic was sparse. At one point, I looked up in my rear view mirror and noticed headlights approaching from behind until they were about a car length from me. I expected the car to pass me, but it didn't. I slowed down to encourage the driver to pass, but to no avail. When I sped back up, so did the car. Preturbed, I turned my head and shouted "What's your problem?", hoping the driver could see I was upset. The car then pulled up besided me, and I noticed it was a Greenville Deputy. My heart melted into my stomach - I fully expected to be pulled over for making a display of my anger to the officer. The deputy turned on the squad car dome light, and it was Marc. He flashed that great smile of his, waved at me, then sped off into the darkness. I knew Marc from church, and at first I was relieved that nothing came of the incident. Soon after, however, I felt like an idiot for letting my anger get the best of me. From time to time, I think back on that brief encounter with Marc and remember to always be mindful of who may be watching . . . .

MGP

February 14, 2006

Well, I'm pushing about 12 years in law enforcement now. Still fighting the good fight! It seems like yesterday you were moving into my room at the apartment as I was leaving for the Bureau. You know, you're the only guy to ever get me to like another whiskey other than Jack! God bless you bro. I just wanted you to know, you're not forgotten. Rest in peace. S.D.P.

S. D. P.
FBI

October 5, 2005

Well, we just passed six years since your death. It still brings tears to my eyes when I think about the call saying you had been killed. I remember trying to talk to our guys as I sent them out to help look for your killers, but I was too choked up to talk, I just had tears running down my face. Now, I try to remember your joking manner, and smiling with the Elvis look, (totally out of regs by the way), and the "suavee" look when you went out on the town. We still miss you, and we still make sure the new guys know who you are, and exactly what happened. We miss you Marcus.

Greenville County SO

August 22, 2005

The thin blue line is a bit thinner. As my colleague said, rest in peace.

Constable L
Greater Manchester Police

August 16, 2005

Marc worked at his Dad's and my place of employement for a couple of summers.
He was a GREAT person who's smile lit up my day!
THE GOOD ALWAYS DIE YOUNG

Janice Anderson

July 1, 2005

I only worked with Marc for about a year before I resigned to pursue my college degree. To this day, I can still remember all the jokes and the laughs we had with him in roll-call. I regret I didn't get to know him better but I can still remember all the times we would get out on calls together, meet up for lunch, and the movie/bowling nights on shift change. He was always so polite and happy. He never had a bad thing to say about anyone and did everything he could to help the needy. I was absolutely crushed when I received the phone call at 7am the day of his passing. It was a great loss to the Sheriff's Office and an even greater loss to his family and the community. His family and the members of the GCSO will always be in my prayers.

"The dead cannot cry out for justice; it is a duty of the living to do so for them." -Lois McMaster Bujold

God Bless the men and women in blue,
Wes

Deputy II A-42 (Resigned) Wes Sullivan
Formerly Greenville County Sheriff's Office

June 30, 2005

Rest in peace brother.

Greater Manchester Police, UK

May 5, 2005

You were taken on the day that I was sworn in to be a Yonkers cop. Since then, I, like many, have done the job in your honor. God Bless you and your family. Watch over us in the City of Yonkers, New York, as we will always salute and remember you

PO Brian Z
City of Yonkers, Ny PD

April 28, 2005

I only knew Marc for a brief time... he worked summers, during college, where I was employeed. Marc was a wonderful young man and brings a smile to my face everytime I think of him. We all were blessed to have had him come through our lives. He is missed.

Becki Ellison
Former co-employee

April 4, 2005

I grew up across the street from Marc and Marty,(Marc's younger brother)and looked up to both of them very much. Even them being older they always took the time for me and my yonger brother,Justin, even when they may not have wanted too.I was very hurt when Marc was killed.He ment alot to me and my family. I never had the chance to thank him, but I really and truly think that he knew...

Alex Kay NREMT-I (SC)

March 15, 2005

I pray for each and every officer and their families that GOD will lay his hand on them and protect them. I pray for those families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty. I used to work for Greenville County Detention Center and still have many dear friends still there that are close to my heart. I pray every day that GOD will guide them and keep them safe. My heart goes out to them and their families. God bless and stay safe. I love you guys!!!

RN, Tonya K. Bennett
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center

January 23, 2005

Deputy Whitfield was a friend and neighbor of my Uncle who lives in SC. Every time I visit I am reminded by my Uncle of the dangers of my profession. My thoughts and prayers are with those he left behind.

Corporal Bradley Raper
Gainesville Police Department

August 20, 2004

Marcus was on Charlie platoon with my husband and I remember what pain and grief that he and the entire sheriff's office went through losing a fallen brother.

Five years later, the Whitfield family is still in my thoughts and prayers.

"Blessed are the peacemakers."

R. D. Harris
Greenville, SC

August 15, 2004

MY BROTHER, YOU ARE GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. A HERO IS NEVER FORGOTTEN. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY HE CONTINUE TO BLESS YOUR FAMILY DURING THIER TIME ON EARTH. YOU SERVED WELL, NOW MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

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

August 13, 2004