Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Happy Fathers Day Dad,

We sure miss you and love you.

Your kids,
Dec and Kylie

Declan and Kylie

June 14, 2008

Hello my buddy,
Well your little girl turns 5 tomorrow, my, has time flown by. She graduated preschool this week, Scott and Karen had a party for her. What a precious little girl she is, she is so sweet. Declan is getting big also, he will go to the 3rd grade in the fall. They are both playing baseball this summer.
Still missing you and think about you. Another hurricane season is coming in a few week's, so talk with God about maybe just some tropical depressions for the rain, no wind, ok maybe just a little. We need rain really bad everything is really brown from no water. I know you will watch out for me as you have in the past.
Happy Memorial Day Craig!
Until next time, love ya and miss ya
Penny "Momma Sue"

Penny McManama
mother in law

May 19, 2008

Glag you are back Karen as I knew you would be. always follow your heart cuz a heart don't lie.

annoyamous

April 25, 2008

Craig Allen, Hello my love. It has been a while since I last wrote to you. You are always in my mind. Kylie is getting so big. Can u believe she is going to be 5. Declan is getting big also. He has a attitude from hell. He isnt even a teen and he acts like he knows it all. Your dad has taken him fishing and mushroom hunting. Scott has taken him for his hunters education course and he passed! Now he can go hunting. The kids are playing baseball this summer. Kylie is on the orange team and the name is the beavers.Im not sure what team declan is on. We miss and love you . We think about you and all the funny things we used to do. I love you and miss you. I still wish was just a really bad dream. I will get to see you again some day when our kids are grown. Love you always K

Karen
Craig's wife

April 22, 2008

Hello my friend,
I go to this website everyday just to see your picture and to remember.
Your 2 children are at your Dad's this evening planting flower's, the weather has finally broke up there after a long and crazy "winter" weather pattern. I am sure they both are all full of dirt and just having a great time with your Dad and Bev grinning from ear to ear.
Oh Craig, how so unfair it is to us all but I "we" can't question.I'm sure everyone still wonders why and how, not that we doubt, but in disbelief after all this time. We were all so hurt and shocked, I realize how I took life for granted, but I know now how fast it can be taken away and then the what if's haunt me, so I try to live everyday to the fullest, tell everyone that I love how I feel about them because it might be the last time that I can, whether it is a phone call, a birthday card, in person or just a simple memory that someone I care about remembers. It was all for a reason that someone touched my life or I touched theirs.
Rest in peace my friend and know that you touched my life in a very important & special way and I will always remember you and think about you.
Miss you & love you
Momma Sue Penny

Penny McManama
mother in law

April 17, 2008

Dearest Craig
It's Easter and what a great time to think of you. We all miss you so much....It's so hard to believe that you are away from us. HAPPY EASTER! dear nephew.
Loving you always
Aunt Janet

janet blann
aunt

March 20, 2008

Happy Easter Craig,
Still missing you and think about you everyday.
Love ya Penny

Penny McManama
mother in law

March 17, 2008

Happy Valentines Day Craig,
You know I can't miss the chance to tell you Happy Sweetie Day. Miss you like crazy. Keep watching over us. Tell my friend John Finley hello for me as he joined God and you this week.
Love you my Buddy
Rest in Peace
Penny

Penny McManama
mother in law

February 6, 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

January 14, 2008

Happy New Year Craig,

Your family came down for the holidays, what 2 wonderful children you have. They are both growing up so fast, your little girl is such a great singer, she loves country music and can really belt it out, her favorite is When your Broken, the song from Broken Bridges. Karen wants to get her voice lessons. Declan is pretty quiet, I can tell he is thinking about how things work and are made, and he loves to fish. Uncle Buck was here and took him fishing alot he loved it. They both are very well behaved children, Karen is doing a real good job with them.
I hope 2008 will be a better year for us all as the economy is starting to get pretty scary.
God bless you Craig, please keep watching over your family. Rest in peace, I love and miss ya.
Momma Sue

Penny McManama
mother in law

December 31, 2007

Dear Craig Allen,
Hello my love,
Just wanted to say Happy 31st Birthday and Merry Christmas.
I got the helium tank today and everyone is going to meet at the cemetary to let 31 balloons go so be watching out for them on the 23rd. Dec, Kylie and I miss and love you so much. Happy Birthday Daddy we miss and love you.
Craig, Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday. Keep watching out for us and your family. Life is not the same without you.
Your wife
Karen Sue

Karen Blann
wife

December 20, 2007

Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas Craig,

Love and miss you

Penny

Penny McManama
mother in law

December 16, 2007

Deares Craig;
Another holiday season has arrived without you to help us celebrate. It only seems like yesterday that you, Stace and Trevor would hand out the packages to everyone "cause we're the oldest". Even the little ones know who you are thanks to Mike and Stacey and Scott and Mandi. Mike will fine out Monday if he will be a part of the Rensselaer Police Dept. He is so excited! You are always with us, Craig. Rest in Peace. Aunt Janet

J

November 23, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving you are very missed

November 22, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving Craig,

Love ya
Penny

Penny McManama
mother in law

November 18, 2007

Hello Craig,
5 years ago today you took my daughter as your wife, that was one of the happiest days of my life, gosh I remember all the planning, the rehersal cookout, the tears of joy. I just watched the video of your wedding and yes the tears were really flowing but they were good tears as I am thankful for all the great memories and times we had while you were with us, I wouldn't trade them for the world(sounds like Ronnie Milsap)> Oh yes I still hurt but in a different way. Don't think that I wouldn't give just about anything to have you back because you know I would but I also know that God had a reason's why thing's turn out the way they did and I don't question anymore, just adjust and accept them. You will always have a special place in my heart that will never be replaced by anyone. I know that Karen has got to move on and I just hope that whomever she chooses will be as special and wonderful as you were or at least close, someone who loves her and the kids as I know you want also, so just keep steering her where you and God want her to be and I'll be happy.
Anyhow, Happy Anniversary to you and Karen.
Miss ya and love ya, keep watching out for us
Momma Sue

Penny McManama
mother in law

October 5, 2007

Dearest Craig,
Three years have gone by all too quickly. sometimes it feels like yesterday that you were taken from us. I still have not really talked with Karen except at the fair this summer. I just want her to know that I remember what tomrrow means for her. I remember standing in the church waiting for her to walk down the aisle. I remember when you and Karen both asked if Scott and I were positive that we wanted to get married. Karen knew many years before that you would come around and marry her. Once you finally did, that was it. Life began all over again for her. She had had a few bad years before you two got back together. That was a wonderful day for the two of you. I remember making fun of Karen for choosing "Police Brown" for her wedding colors but it all worked out. Her veil falling off during the ceremony, me and her looking alot like sisters. Karen got to be one of my GREATEST friends and I hope that she still knows that. Granted we have not spoke to each other in quite awhile, I still love her like a sister.
May God Bless you and our family Craig. Happy 4th anniversary to you and your beloved wife.
All our love
Scott, Mandi, Maegan and Allea

Mandi
cousin

October 4, 2007

Dearest Craig, I hope you don't think that I forgot about you.Quite the contrary. I started this on 9-6, but got interupted. It's so hard to believe that 3 years have passed. You are never out of our thoughts. Thought Gene was going to pay you a visit. You know how stubborn he is. He got really sick and wouldn't go to the dr. The dr. told him he would have died in 2 days if he'd kept putting med. care off. We are all doing ok. Mike and Angie are due to have #5 in March. Sydney is hoping for a girl. Hopefully, that won't be the only cousin born next year. Mike and Stacey are hoping for a baby.
We all miss you SO much, dear Craig.
Rest in Peace.
Aunt Janet

janet blann
aunt

September 25, 2007

Craig

ITs been 3 yrs now my friend. Alot has change in the dept. There are alot people working here now. Some new you and some didnt know you. So i try to talk to some of the deputies and corrections officers to tell them about you. YOu were a good friend. I remember when I told you that My wife was pg. You said, its about time razing me. I still remember the old days, the time you and Rowe got me on a bull riding machine.and I was bucked off it. YOu laughed so hard that night. God sped my friend.

My prayers are with your family. YOu were a great officer . YOu taught me alot.

Gregg Hamilton

Speical Deputy /Gregg Hamilton
Newton County Sheriff

September 19, 2007

Craig Allen, Hello my love. Well today is the third year that you have not been with us. We miss you so much and we wish that you would come home to us. The kids and I went up north today and we went to the build a bear workshop and we just got away from home and out of Newton County. Our lives have changed so much. Some for the good and some things for the bad. I know that i would'nt be going through some of the stuff that our wonderful county has to offer if you were still here. I love you so very much and I always will love you. Like I said you are my Hero! I'm so proud of you for giving your job every thing that you gave it. In my eyes you are the best. My gosh three years. I remember that day like it was yesterday. You gave me a kiss on my forehead and you told me that you love me and that you would see me later. Then I get a knock on the door and there stood John. I did'nt believe him. I thought it was all just a bad dream. All I wanted was just to see you and for some body to tell me that they made a big mistake and at six that night you would be walking through our door and Kylie would come running up to you saying da da! Several days after this happened she was still going to the door waiting for her daddy to come home. I still have no idea what happened to you that day. What were you thinking? What? Craig I know that you really did'nt want to leave. What i would'nt give just to touch you, hug,kiss you. I will always have a big hole in my heart. Some times it feels like it will get better but then it seems like there is no hope. I will always love you there is no doubt about that. I'm trying my best with the kids and you would be so proud of both of them! So keep a close watch over the kids and the rest of the family. We will meet again my love! When we meet nothing will be able to keep us apart! I love you. I always will... K

Karen Blann
Craig's wife

September 6, 2007

On the 3rd anniversary of your passing, we still mourn.
Rest in Peace

Randy Bennett
Henry Co. Sheriff's Dept.

September 6, 2007

Karen,


My thoughts and prayers are with you today as another year is marked on the loss of your Husband. I don't know either of you but it is more than obvious that you both shared a special kind of love. The kind that many can only hope to find once in a lifetime if even for a moment. Please take the time today to relish in your fond memories of your time together. Take a moment to listen to the silence, the whisper in the wind is him.

God bless you and your family today and always.

September 6, 2007

Just wanted to let you and your family know that we will never forget the sacrifice all of you have made. You are a hero and we will remember you always, it has been 3 years today, and I know a long 3 years to your family. They will miss you everyday and think about you everyday, just send little signs to let them know you are still watching over them.
I have blue candles that burn 24/7 for all LEO's. You are remembered, look Clint up for me let him know his mother misses him.

Connie Barker Ft. Walton Beach, Fl
Mother of Clint Walker E.O.W. 1-14-04

September 6, 2007

Hey Craig,
Adam and I were talking about you tonight for a bit. It's hard to believe that you have been gone 3 years already and Tom has been gone for one. They say life goes on and for the most part it does, but there is that part that remains tied to the past that can never go on. You were very special to so many people, and will continue to be remembered and loved. You will always remain a part of my heart "son".

Sharon Hayward
"Step Mom"

September 5, 2007

Three years have passed since your EOW and those that love you dearly have thought about you on each and every day during that time. For some it will seem like just yesterday that they heard your voice, saw your smile and then for others it has felt like a lifetime. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and also those still out on patrol. You are a true hero and heroes never die. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

September 5, 2007