Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

[posted long after it was written]

I went to Scott Hylton's funeral yesterday.

I counted the patches and car markings of at least thirty departments from four states. Tiny departments like Narrows and large organizations like Virginia Beach and Fairfax County all sent officers. With traffic neatly directed by local firefighters and Virginia State Troopers, slowly they converged on the small church, diffidently socializing, recognizing old friends but unable to let go of the reason for their presence. I was no different. I looked for familiar faces, glanced curiously at shoulder patches, then recoiled, feeling slightly ashamed of turning a somber occasion into a sight seeing tour. Soldiers from Officer Hylton's Army National Guard Unit of the 29th Infantry Division walked by, no doubt feeling the same mix of grief and confusion as the rest of us. No matter the color of the uniform, we were drawn here to say goodbye to a man many of us had never met but with whom we shared a deep but unspoken bond.

With the church filled to capacity with friends and family, many of us sat outside and watched a video feed on a large television propped on a table. We listened to the minister and friends remark on the life of a man driven to do what was right, then cut short in a moment of murderous madness. I shifted slightly in my chair, noting from the markings that it belonged to the same Radford University where Officer Hylton had worked during the previous decade, and remembered the words from the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C. "It's not how these officers died that made them heroes, it's how they lived." The more I heard about him, I realized that while the author of that quote couldn't have known Scott Hylton, those words fit him to the letter.

As a bagpiper played in the distance, officers and soldiers lined the short walk from the chapel to the gravesite. The lonely notes bounced across the windy Floyd County hillside, like plaintive bells, calling a final roll call for someone unable to answer. We formed a corridor, several ranks deep, of blue, green, gray, and countless other fabrics and stood rigidly, swaying slightly in the wind as family, close friends and CPD officers made the lonely walk towards Officer Hylton's final resting place. I watched silently as his sons walked by and couldn't even begin to imagine what thoughts passed through their heads. I made eye contact briefly with an old friend, with whom I shared many frantic nights on the old midnight shift at my department, and thought he looked somehow much older than when I last saw him. Another officer, who I served with for several years in the Marine Corps, walked firmly up the path, eyes fixated on something far off in the distance, but keeping the same even pace I had seen on muddy Quantico trails.

I listened through the wind as flags popped and people spoke, glancing at other officers and swallowing hard. Birds chirped in the background, blissfully celebrating a sunny spring day as we mourned. A detail of soldiers fired three rifle volleys skyward, the rifles barking a final goodbye to a man who had devoted so much time to serving his country. The wind whistled past my face as I reached up to brush away a tear, and saw many of the guests, some of the hardest and most accomplished lawmen in the area, doing the same. A lone bugler sounded "Taps" in the distance, and I followed the notes into the distance as they faded. "All is well, safely rest, God is nigh…" the tune says at the end of verse 1. "Safely rest" indeed, I thought to myself. Rest in Peace, Scott Hylton.


Officer, Roanoke (VA) Police Dept.

Anonymous

Condolences and blessings to the family,friends, and co-workers of Officer Scott Allen Hylton. May God be at your sides during these difficult times.



God Bless....

Patrol Officer. R.Gomez
Pinecrest Police, Florida

Rest in peace my brother—You will not be forgotten. You have done your duty.

As I visit the Law Enforcement Memorial every May 15th, I will say a prayer for you, your family, and all those that have been affected by your passing.

See you some day brother.

CPL Jodie L. Warren
Prince George County Police Department, Virginia

Another great officer has joined Heavens Police Department. I know that you along with all of our other brothers and sisters in blue, who have made the ultimate sacrifice, are looking down on us and protecting us.

To Officer Hylton's family, I know it must be hard, but know one thing. Officer Hylton is a hero...plain and simple. He gave his life protecting the weak. He is watching over you now.

Officer K. Clicque
Mexia PD, Tx

TO MY FREIND, FELLOW OFFICER AND FELLOW VETERAN,
SCOTT, YOU GAVE ALL THAT COULD BE GIVEN FOR THE SAFTEY OF THE PEOPLE AND OUR GREAT NATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO THE OATH THAT YOU TOOK TO SERVE AND PROTECT AND TO GIVE YOUR LIFE FOR THE FREEDOM OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I HAD THE PRIVELEGE OF WORKING MIDNIGHT SHIFT WITH SCOTT FOR FIVE MONTHS. WE SPENT ALOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT THE MILITARY AND SHARED GREAT INTEREST IN COLLECTING FIREARMS. I SERVE AS A COMBAT ENGINEER IN THE U.S. MARINES{RESERVES}, IN THE SHORT TIME I KNEW SCOTT, I LEARNED ALOT. I KNOW SCOTT IS WITH THE LORD AND I WILL SEE HIM AGAIN.
MY PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE.

SCOTT YOU WILL BE MISSED,
KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN AND YOUR
.308 FMJ ROUNDS DRY!!!!

YOUR BROTHER IN CHRIST, IN BLUE AND
IN GREEN, J.Y.COLLINS{JARHEAD}

OFFICER J.Y. COLLINS
CHRISTIANSBURG POLICE DEPT.

Unfortunately, I didnt know Scott very well. I'll never forget the way he was the first time I met him though. He was in the P.D. working on the computer. He was obviously very busy, but when another fellow officer introduced me to him, it was if nothing else mattered to him. Like I was the most important thing around. And he made me feel like I was a friend that he'd always known. That will never be forgotten.

Scott is and always be a hero

Deputy S. W. Moore
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office

To the family, friends, and coworkers of Officer Hylton; god bless all of you during this difficult time. Take care.

Samantha
Youngstown, Ohio

Family and Friends,
As you know there are just no words to express sympathy for such a tragic death. He is a hero and will always be remembered as one. Your extended family of other survivors will stand by you and help you through this storm. My families prayer for you is that you will find comfort and peace beyond imagination.

Cathy Hill
surviving spouse Deputy Barrett Hill
e.o.w. 12/4/00
He died protecting those he didn't even know.

My prayers and THANKS go out to Scott's family.
Though I only talked with Scott on several short occasions, the memory and encouragement he leaves behind is such that a fellow officer will not only forget, but needs on a daily basis. We need hero's like Scott to look up to.

Thanks, Scott for paying the ultimate price for my community. I'll shake your hand in Heaven someday!

C.A. Meadows , Deputy Sheriff
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office (Va.)

Scott,

All of the grief that one certian person caused you the past twenty years is over, your finally free of her. I just hope you relize how much Khris loves you. Everyone could see how happy the two of you were together! I'm just glad that you had those last few years together to be happy. Rest well, my friend and know how proud we all are of you.

Anonymous

GOD SPEED Scott, We don't understand the tragedy but we know all things are in GODs hands and rember that without the blood of christ that all is lost.

Mark A Sowers
Huckleberry Dairy

My name is Khris Hylton and I'm Scott's wife. I want to thank everyone for thier comments. All of the outpouring of love, prayers, thoughts, and concern have just been overwhelming. Scott wasn't just my husband, father of our little girl, and my best friend, but also a fellow officer. He was the best officer that I've ever known, he was a wonderful man and he's a true hero. My heart and prayers go out to the courageous members of the Christiansburg Police Department and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. Thank you guys for everything!! I love you!

Khris Hylton
Scott's Wife

Every time I come to this site and read another name and the story behind it I am unable to fight back to the tears. I think about their family...and how their family's world must have been shattered in that few seconds it took someone to tell them that he had given his life in the line of duty. I think about the children that will grow up w/o their father, not understanding until much later in life what a tough job he did and how senseless this voilence is. I think about weddings and grandchildren he'll never experience...and how he woke up that morning just going to work like any other day. I check this site everyday hoping to see no new postings...sadly I am disappointed more often than not. The voilence keeps coming...our brothers and sisters keep dying...the tears keep flowing...and my heart keeps breaking. Although I have never lost an officer that I work with every time I read another posting it almost feels like I lost one of my own. I can't explain it...it's just how I feel.

Officer Hylton, you fought a hero's fight for a long time...now you can rest and let the rest of us continue the fight. God Bless You, Officer Hylton.

Signed,

A 911 Dispatcher

Anonymous

i give my heartfelt sympathy to the family of this fallen brother in blue, he is now just another one of gods angels that has arrived in heaven to walk his beat on heavens street and patrol the gates of the lords kingdom. you will be missed

godspeed and good luck!!!

saddend citizen of ohio,
ashley hopson

Saint Michael, heaven's glorious commissioner of police,who once so neatly and successfully cleared God's premisesof all its undesirables, look with kindly and professionaleyes on your earthly force.

Give us cool heads, stout hearts, and uncanny flair for investigation and wise judgment.

Make us the terror of burglars, the friend of children and law-abiding citizens, kind to strangers, polite to bores, strict with law-breakers and impervious to temptations.

You know, Saint Michael, from your own experiences with the devil, that the police officer's lot on earth is not always a happy one; but your sense of duty that so pleased God, your hard knocks that so surprised the devil, and your angelic self-control give us inspiration.

And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your heavenly force, where we will be as proud to guard the throne of God as we have been to guard the city of all the people. Amen.

Det Sgt C. L. Israel
East Point Police Department, Ga

My heartfelt sympathies go to the family and friends of Officer Hylton. Today is Law Enforcement Memorial Day in Washington D.C. Unfortunately, each year new names are added to the wall of heroes. Let those of us remaining remember our brothers and sisters in blue in our thoughts and prayers. They stand on the front line, willing to give their lives for ours. Ever life lost is one too many.

Former Officer
Oklahoma City PD

It's been nearly a week since Scott made his sacrafice. The thoughts of and prayers for him, his family, and Christiansburg P.D. stay foremost in my mind. I remember him fondly from his days at Radford University P.D.
He was always one to show up on calls without being asked-just to make sure everybody was alright. Scott, you're gone from us here, but I know you've still "got our six" from the other side.
Rest in peace, my brother - we've still got the watch.

LTCMDR R.S. SCHWARZER
RADFORD CITY P.D. VA

We never can know when it's our time to go,
we simply wait our turn.
We do our best to pass the test,
and wings of gold to earn.
Now that you're wrapped in God's loving Grace,
and the new assignment you know.
Watch over your loved ones and the 'family of the badge',
And greet us when it's our time to go.

My deepest sympathy to the Hylton family and to the Brothers and Sisters at Christiansburg Police Department.

Sgt. S. W. Conner
Montgomery County Sheriffs Office ( VA )

Scott was always a very special person to me. He taught me many things about life and helped me through some tough times. When life looked really sad, all I needed was one of his big hugs or one of those sweet smiles to remind me that everything was going to be OK. He was a truly amazing man with a heart of gold and a tremendous amount of love and respect for his family. I only met his wife once, but I felt like I had known her my entire life because Scott loved to talk about her, his children, and all the rest of his family. I took a great amount of comfort in seeing all of his "brothers and sisters in blue" at his funeral Tuesday--you are all truly wonderful people--thank each and everyone of you for what you do. God bless you all. Rest in peace Scott, we are proud of you.

Thank you Officer Hylton for your services to your community. You will not be forgotten. "Go rest high on that mountain, your work on earth is done". May God bless your family and friends. See you on the other side brother in blue.

FCO T. Leonard
Raleigh, (NC) PD

May God bless all family,friends,and fellow officers touched by this tragedy.May God give you strength to rise above this most difficult time,and may God give you a sense of comfort during these trying times.

John and Marci Tickle
Scott's cousin

I had the honor of meeting Scott, 10 years ago or more in Hillsville. I had locked my keys in my car late one night and was a little scared since I wasn't from that area. Scott came by and helped me with my ordeal plus made me feel at ease. Little did I know that I would be working with him years down the road. I always remembered that night and when Scott got hired just across the street at CPD, I introduced myself and told him that I appreciated his help once again. He just smiled. That smile will always be with me Scott. We'll miss you, our fallen brother.

Deputy Julie Roop
Montgomery Co Sheriffs Office Va

I had the priviledge of meeting Scott by conducting his pre-employment background investigation, and also worked by his side on several occassions. I learned everything I needed to know about Scott within the first day of the investigation. He hid no skeletons and presented himself in the same common sense, easy going manner every second that I knew him. Scott ALWAYS brought a positive attitude to the table and was one of the most even-tempered Police Officers I have ever met. He had a unique way of bringing a refreshing air to any situation. Officer Scott Hylton was killed May 9, 2003, in a senseless act of violence and cowardice, and I want Scott's family to know that he will always be with us and that he is loved and missed dearly. In loving memory of Officer Scott A. Hylton, CPD #107. You will answer every call with us.

Sergeant Jason Basham
Christiansburg Police Department

I will forever miss my brother in blue, Scott things will never be the same not seeing you walking up the back lot with those mirrored sunglasses that were to big for your face, and wearing you hat up - I laugh everytime I think of that, please watch over me and all officers that walk the thin blue line,

Scott paid the ultimate price

Much love and thank you for being my friend,

Officer Mike Nelson
Christiansburg Police Department

Officer Mike Nelson
Christiansburg Police

Scott, you gave us so much in such a short time. Besides your committment to the community and your country, you offered us humor, insight, and a friendly heart. All of the qualities that make a brother the special person that they are. You are missed, and can never be forgotten. I know that you have taken your place that God has prepared for you in Heaven. I am comforted by the thought that I knew you, and more comforted in knowing that I will know you again. The person that I knew is embedded in my heart. Thank You Scott!

Lieutenant Dalton Reid
Christiansburg Police Department.

Lt. Dalton Reid
Christiansburg Police Department