Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Charles,
Where do I even start? Finding out about the wreck and not knowing who it was I just remember calling your cell phone just praying that you would answer. It was just a few short minutes before I learned it was you. You were such a great friend, husband, and father. Working with you "off-duty" was always interesting. All of us at Buffaloe Lanes will always remember you and what you stood for. We have all been sitting around telling "Charles" stories remembering the fun times. Ann was always excited when she found out it was Charles we were working with, I always knew before hand that you would be there! (I clocked you in on time :-)) I will never forget you, I remember working with you on the Friday night before the fatal wreck, you were writing "Harley" all over a napkin and telling us what you were going to do with it when you got it. We were talking about my wedding, and how you were hoping to get out of working that day, Charles you will always be there, that day I will think of you, and know that you are looking down on Gerald and I. We both miss you, we know that you are wearing those permanent wings now, you earned them my friend. We will miss you. Our prayers are with Tiffany, Charli, all family members and other officers.

Melissa McDaniel & Gerald Morrow

Melissa McDaniel

Charles,
The last time we met I did not expect it to be the last time I would talk to you. You always had a smile on your face which made my day a little brighter no matter how I was feeling. I was at home when I heard about the accident. Later that day I was scrolling through the phonebook on my nextel and came accross the name CR Paul, I then realized my friend was truly gone. You will be greatly missed by all who put on the badge every day, espcially those who served beside you. The Thin Blue Line seemed poorly named after seeing the large outpouring of officers from so many departments to show there respect to a fallen officer at your funeral. Now after reading this memorial page I am truly convinced that the Thin Blue Line isn't all that THIN! Rest in peace brother.

Officer J.D. Gray
Raleigh Police Dept.

Officer J.D. Gray
Raleigh Police Dept

The Columbus(Ga.)Police Motor Squad send our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family, friends and to the Raliegh Police Department. God Speed Brother Paul!

Patrolman
Columbus, Ga Polce Department

Charles,
May God hold you safely in His arms. At times like this we all want to ask God why this happened. We don't know now and we may never know. However, you can take comfort in knowing that God is real and alive. He will comfort and protect Tiffany, Charli, and your parents. I take comfort in knowing that The Raleigh Police Department is a Family. We all lost a brother on that tragic day. Thank God we are there for your family and each other. I never saw you when you were not smiling and saying hello. May you rest in peace in God's loving arms.
With Love, and in Christ's name,
A.S. Brooks

Det. A.S. Brooks
Raleigh Police Department

I was on the way to work when they gave the call out. Something told me to head that way even before I knew it was one of our own. I remember, as I raced around the beltline, hoping that it was a patrol car that had hit a motorcycle and not someone on our unit. As I pulled up to the scene, EMS had not even started checking you out yet, but I knew..... and my heart sank. Since that day, I have thought many times of you working at my first off-duty job while you were still in high school. Then the day you came to C Platoon to start your career. You will always be remembered and Tiffany and Charli will always be looked out for. Ride with the angels, dear brother.

Cpl. L.D. Clark
Raleigh PD

Our most sincere condolences to Charles' family, friends, and co-workers. Find comfort and support in one another. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamotn (NY) PD

Charles,

I really don't know how to start. You know you and I were always teased about being short in the academy together. I was talking to Bill Norvell on how we use to always attempt to look at another academy student grade that had always failed tests. You always had a smile on your face and was in a good mood. I saw you in the parking deck a couple of days before your death and spoke to you at Brent Road. Looking back, I didn't speak long enough. You always think after your gone, maybe I should have let him know what a good guy he was or got friends together more. Its something you never think of until you were gone. When someone called me and told me of the accident, my heart sank. I felt that I couldn't breath. I will never be able to put into words how much I will miss you. You will always be remembered by me with the man with two first names. As John McCain said so well "You will never be forgotten and your family will never want".

MO W.A. Potter
Raleigh Police Department

Charles, I really enjoyed working with you and I know you are in heaven escorting the lord around on that "Harley". I'm so glad we had lunch together the day before the accident and I got to hear your voice on my Nextel minutes before the accident. I will always treasure the time we spent together at work and at other functions. You are truly a hero for serving and protecting the citizens of Raleigh. Your friend always..BBT

Senior Officer M. N. Thomas
Raleigh Police Department

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family

Anonymous

May God be with your Wife and Child. We take this job knowing all of the risks but we try to beleive that we will not be the one listed here. You are truly in a better place than the world that we go out into everyday, however your work is not done...watch over the rest of us !!

My brother I won't forget you!

Detention Officer
PCSD

It was 10:00 a.m. on Monday morning September 10, 2002. I was on my way to work when I heard communications give out the wreck call at S. Saunders and the Belt Line. Of course, we all dislike wreck calls, especially ones when communications says it is a personal injury. My heart sank when I heard communications state it was a personal injury involving a motorcycle, but when I heard it was a Raleigh Police Officer involved quiet honestly I panicked. Almost immediately I heard the arriving officer screaming send E.M.S.(emergency medical services)10-18 (quickly), 10-18. As communications and the officers immediately started calling for supervisors and C.C.B.I. (City County Bureau of Identification) I almost knew it was going to be a fatality involving our officer. I simply could not hold back the tears. I pulled into the Police Station as Captain Gaskins and Lt. Reynolds came into the parking deck heading toward the accident scene. Capt. Gaskins soon called me to come to the scene too. As I arrived I saw the road had been blocked and officers were continuing their duties in spite of their tears and shock as Officer Paul lay dead. Chief Perlov was there along with Dawn Bryant, and most of the other officers on duty that day. I watched as E.M.S. workers, and officers gently and lovingly picked up Master Officer Charles Paul III and placed him on the stretcher. There was a lead car, E.M.S., with his body, a trail car, and myself as we slowly drove him through his city one last time. Citizens sadly waved and saluted as we drove slowly by.
As we arrived at Wake Medical Center many officers were already there, standing sadly in the halls just waiting to do something. Officer Paul's wife Tiffany arrived with many of her family and friends close behind. All were obviously in shock. Tiffany wept as she told many of her fond memories with Charles. (They have been in love since they were 13 years old) She's told story after story these last few days of her love for him and their love for each other.
Charles' mom soon arrived. Only God knows how a mother says good-by to her only child and it is obvious this is going to be the hardest thing Trudy and Charles will ever have to do. His dad, Charles Jr., came from work not knowing, and speechless as he was given the sad news.
Later we left the hospital and officers longing to do something for the family followed Tiffany and the parents to their homes. We have spent several days now crying with you, and laughing with you as we've shared stories about Charles, and our grief with you.
Tiffany, Charli, and family, and Charles, Trudy, and family your grief is our grief as we all say good-by to our fallen commrade.
God Bless You All Today and Forever!

In Sincere Love,
Sgt. B.L. Elmore
Officers, & Friends
Raleigh Police Dept.

Sergeant Brenda Elmore
Raleigh Police Dept.

I am so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in knowing he died doing what he loved, and knowing that you will see him again.

Sami Thomson
Surviving niece of Officer Jon Cook
San Francisco Police Department

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We will not forget your sacrifice. Your brothers in New York.

Trooper B J Hoolan
New York State Police

Little C,

You were one great officer! Your family misses you and loves you! We know that you have earned your final wings! We will see you one day! Love you........your cousin!

S. Lewis
HSPD

To family of Officer Paul:
Just to say you all are in my thoughts and prayers. May you be encouraged by God's presence and His Word during this very difficult time. I know you are in good hands with Sgt. Elmore there as she is my sister of whom I am very proud.
'Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope , through the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15: 13
Love and Prayers,
Jessie Packard

Jessie Packard
concerned citizen

Please know that despite the miles that separate us, the ripples of the loss of another fellow motor officer are felt across the continent. Our thoughts and prayer are with the family, friends and co-worker of Officer Paul. We send our deepest sympathies and condolences.

IT SOUNDS LIKE THUNDER FAR AWAY............
It sounds like thunder far away, but the skies are blue and bright...
And soon they crest the hill nearby, and ride into our sight.
They shake the ground with powerful sound, and they make some hearts beat fast...
They look so proud and noble, like Knights come from the past.

Side by side, they always ride, and seem to move as one...
From early in the morning light, to the setting of the sun.
And children point and wave to them, from cars that pass them by...
And young ones ask their parents, why the men have mirrors for eyes.

They ride the roads, and fight for good, and defend small ones like you...
They ask to ride, and do with pride, and sometimes they are few.
Like men of steel, on Silver Wings, they sparkle in the light...
then with a roar and rumble, they ride out of our sight.

Sometimes when one has fallen, never to ride again...
You can hear the others calling, like thunder on the wind.
Side by side, they slowly ride, and their thunder is a mournful sound...
And the mirrors hide their eyes from us, when teardrops fall to ground.

So if you see one riding, and you look into his face...
You see your reflection in his eyes, you know that you are safe.
For motormen are a special breed, they love to ride the wind...
And when you hear the thunder boom, the fallen ones ride again.

By

Author Unknown

Sgt. Andy Norrie
Toronto Police - Highway Patrol (Canada)

I never had the pleasure to meet Officer Paul however in the Law Enforcement Family no one is truly a stranger. I was in the funeral procession and it was sad and beautiful all at once. As far back as I could see there were motorcycles with blue lights turning it was a beautiful outpour of support. The tears began to fall for a fellow brother, unknown to me.. but his absence felt by me on this day. I was inspired as I heard officers speak of Officer Paul with fond remembrance and I say to you my fallen brother..sleep well Blue Angel...sleep well..

Motor Officer, R. A. Aleem
Durham County Sheriff's Office

Once again it saddens me greatly to hear of a fellow brother in blue has been taken from us. Saddens me even more to have a fellow Motor officer taken. To the family of Officer Paul, fellow officers and friends, you are in our prayers. Officer Paul, you have served your time and now you may patrol the golden streets to heaven, rest in peace my friend.

Patrolman Darrell Jones
Lexington Metro Police Lex, Ky

God Bless you and your family. You will never be forgotten!

First Class Officer Sean Hoolan
Raleigh Police

My sincerest condolances go out to the family and friends of Master Officer Charles Radford Paul III. I am a surviving family member of a peace officer killed in 2001 from Colorado. I had the honor to meet a few of Raleigh's finest during the National Peace Officer Memorial in Washington DC this past May. I still keep in touch with one of them, and he's been there for me through all of my hardships in dealing with the death of my officer. I have no doubt that the Raleigh PD will be with this family in their time of need. You must be so proud to know that your loved one was with one of the very finest of Departments.
God Bless you and your family. My prayers will be with you!

Bobbie

I think it was Saturday, the 7th, when I last saw you. I pulled into the station and you were out back talking to someone. I was in a real hurry and I just threw my hand up and kept going. When I came out, you were gone. Had I only knew that was the last time I'd ever see you. This has become a real attention getter for me. I think we should all slow down, take the time to actually stop and talk to one another and not let these opportunities pass us by. The lord needed you in Heaven for that SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT.
We will meet again, and I will not make the same mistake twice.

Cpl. J.E. Gray
Raleigh PD

GOD BE WITH THE FAMILY OF OFFICER PAUL AND THE RALEIGH POLICE DEPT.

SPO J ANTHONY
WILSON POLICE DEPT

As a 911 dispatcher I prayed that the day would never come that I would have to bury one of our Officers, especially one that was as close and dear a friend as Charles. Not only was he the "picture perfect officer" that title could be used to describe him as a husband, father, and friend. In his short thirty years on this earth he lived life to the fullest and brought happiness to everyone around him. His wife and daughter will forever be in my thoughts and prayers. Charles fly high for you deserve your new true gold wings!!! You will always be missed but never forgotten!

Candice Etheridge
Raleigh 911

To the family of M.O. Paul,
May you find peace in knowing that your beloved husband and father is with God. Although Charles and I never met, I am sure that the world is not as nice a place as it was prior to September 10, 2002. You are in my thoughts and prayers. You are not alone. God bless.

WDM
The father of a police officer

To the family of Officer Paul:

Hero's are born everyday.....Motorcycle Officers from all over share the excitement, the weather, the good, the bad and the pain...I remember, I was married to one who died doing just what he loved.....being a Motorcycle Officer. Please know your pain is real and the hurt goes deep, but the memories you had together will last forever, in your heart and in your child.

Your in my prayers,

Deborah Dees
Surviving Spouse of HPD Motorcycle Officer Keith A. Dees
E. O. W. 3-7-02