Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Frankie was a good man. I ran many an EMS call with him when he was a Deputy with Dare County, NC in 1978 and 1979. I saw him often until I left the area in 1994.
It has been 23 years since you left this life.
Know that you are still thought of and missed dearly.
RIP my friend.

Perrin W. Gardner
EMT

January 14, 2023

Patrolman Hemilright,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Southern Shores. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 14, 2020

I thought about you today, my friend. Your advice, your camaraderie & your friendship.

A23 then. A21 in between. A20 now.
Dare County Sheriff's Office

February 17, 2016

Frankie,

Your name just popped in my head and I thought I would check your page, as I could not remember the date you left us....15 years almost to the day! Still think of all the good days we all had. Rest in Peace brother, you were one of a kind.

Aloha,

A-22

Inspector Ted Kearns
DHS and Former Dare Co. Deputy

January 13, 2015

Still think of our lunches and dinners, Frankie. You were there for a few of my firsts in Law Enforcement and are always missed. RIP, 154

Adam-Two-Three

Andy
DCSO

May 15, 2014

I see your photograph almost daily in the front office. I remember your trips to the 7-11 for the midnight coffee.
Thanks for your service Frankie. Your niece and nephew are carrying on your hard work here at the PD.

George Farrow Sgt.
Southern Shores PD

May 15, 2013

Just happened to be checking the site and looked you up Frankie. It is 2330 here in Hawaii, and I can't believe it has been exactly 10 years. Thanks for all the laughs at Cosmo's with Bob. It was a honor to serve with you.

Aloha and A Hui Hou

Ted Kearns
Former Deputy/Dare County Sheriff's Office

January 15, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 10th 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never dimishes respect.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

January 14, 2010

Frankie, what a great impression you left on me as to what it meant to be an old timer. I think of you and David Dees, Thad Pledger, Chris Harrell, Earl Murray and can't believe all of you are walking with God now, wow!
I am so happy I had the opportunity to just call you all my friend and I will cherish that for all my days here on this earth we call the patrol station.
Every time I go through Manns Harbor where you have been resting, I think of you. Thank you for all you did and what you meant to me.

Investiagtor Bowman
Dare County Sheriffs Office

May 29, 2009

Frankie,
Thank you for your service my friend. It was a pleasure to serve with you at the Dare County Sheriff's Office for many years. Your wit and good nature was awesome. You are missed here and I'll see you in heaven.
JW

E.J Williams,Jr Lt Col Retired
Dare County S.O. retired

May 23, 2009

Frankie,
As I logged onto ODMP tonight, your photo/name popped up on the home page! You might not would have remembered me but I used to be a civil process deputy with DCSO and Kitty Hawk was one of my areas to serve papers. I used to hang out some at Kitty Hawk & Southern Shores PD and used to serve the subpoenas on the officers there (including you). I remember when you died and how saddened I was to hear about it from my family in Columbia. Little did I know that 1 1/2 years later, my first husband would also die in the line of duty...so I know what your family & friends have been through. You will never be forgotten and your service to the citizens of Dare County will always be appreciated. God Bless You Frankie!

Denise
Survivor of Trooper Calvin Taylor

June 3, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 5, 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., Columbia, SC

December 27, 2007

NEVER forgotten, sir.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEOs

January 6, 2007

"When it comes right down to it.....Who really gives a........"

I do Frankie.

Andy
DCSO

February 4, 2006

I remember meeting Frankie in 96 when I was a brand new officer in Nags Head. He didn't treat me like some new guy. He treated me as a peer, and I appreciated that. I also remember his handshake...it was like grabbing a piece of iron. Just wanted to let you know your still thought of often.

Deputy Bill Kenna
Pinellas Co Sheriff's Office

June 29, 2005

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 5, 2004

Frankie Hemilright was my best friend as well as a father figure.  He made me laugh when I was down and made me think when I was wrong. We had so much in common such as baseball, Nascar racing and football.  I was looking forward to enjoying the races and games with him this year, but that just was not meant to be.  Frankie, Mom and I miss you very much.  I will never forget you, 154.

Jason Minton

I will always miss my brother.  There will be an empty void in my life where he was. 

Love Ted

Ted Hemilright
U. S. Government

How can I find the words to describe Frankie Hemilright?  He had a sly smile
and an incredible sense of humor.  He was a man and an officer that truly
cared for people. He especially cared for the young members of the
community. Two years ago he took a special interest in a young man in
Southern Shores. He visited him even when he was off duty. Frankie showed
this young man that he cared about him and he could be trusted not feared. This young man is now off of drugs and will graduate high school this spring. The parents of this young man tell me they owe Frankie a debt that can never be repaid.  I am so proud of Frankie. Our life together was cut short and his death has left an emptiness in my life that will never be
filled. Frankie, I miss you every day but you will always be in my heart. Love Elaine

Love, Elaine

I would like to say, that I feel that Officer Hemilright was a great Officer of the Law. He was/is a role model for those of us who serve under the scales of Justice. 20 Years of Honorable Service on the Thin Blue Line, makes him what he is. He is a role model for all of us who try to serve, protect and Defend. God Bless him, and his surviving Family. Our hearts are with you. I'm greatly sorry for your loss, mine, and this Great Nation.   John Branski, IMPK9 Association. In God We Trust.

Deputy Director Sgt. John Branski
International MP K-9 Association

Like many times before, I do not know this fine Officer Personaly, however, he Patrolman Hemilright, has been a Brother to me. I respect all of my Family. His life was taken away from all of us to quickly, in the Line Of Duty. He was a Veteran Officer, with a twenty year T.O.D. This wonderful person is a Hero. Like many of those who fell before him, He WILL ALWAYS BE REMBERED with those of us in Law Enforcement. God Bless His Soul, God Bless his Family. He did not waste a life time. He saved many. My Familiy will Pray for him and his family. We Are One. Very Sincerely, Gary Wolter, Director, International MP K-9 Association.

Dir. Gary Wolter
International MP K-9 Association

You are missed as much today as the day you left us.

Love, Elaine