Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Trooper Black, I was 14 years old when my parents and us kids drove by the bank and you laid on the sidewalk. Mom and I went to your side to see if any help could be rendered but sadly you were already with our Savior.
4 years later I entered nursing school and dedicated over 50 years to serve the needs of sick people. I think Sir, you were the catalyst for my choice of career. I remember you often in my prayers.

Paula Ward

October 18, 2024

Sixty Years Later: Trooper Black's family has established the Trooper Black Foundation, a 501.c.3 non-profit whose mission is to provide assistance to first responder families in crisis. Trooper Black's name has been restored to Maine's Trooper of the Year Award. In 2023, the Trooper Black Foundation's first active year (having to hibernate for 2.5 years after the lockdowns, imposed only a few weeks after acquiring its non-profit status) saw assistance to nine first responder families in four states. Public response has been phenomenal. And these are just a few of the positive actions that are taking place in his name.

Trooper Charles Clinton Black continues to serve.

Sally M. Chetwynd
Secretary, Trooper Black Foundation

July 10, 2024

Trooper Black,
On today, the 60th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Air Force. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

July 9, 2024

Trooper Black, it has been 60 years since you were taken from us. Northern New England law enforcement has continued to thrive, learn and become safer due to the traditions and sacrifices you, your family, and many others have made for us. Thank you for your military and 6 years of law enforcement service.

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH

July 9, 2024

Condolences to the black family

Carson loveless

February 6, 2024

Trooper Black, it has been 59 years since you were taken from us and 41 years since your family was victimized again by the lack of justice system. I hope they are strong and can recover from both.

Northern New England law enforcement has continued to thrive, learn and become safer due to the traditions and sacrifices that you, your family, and too many others have made for us. Thank you for your service.

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH

July 9, 2023

Too many years later (but finally coming to fruition), Mary Black Andrews and her son Charles Clinton Black II organized the 501.c.3 nonprofit Trooper Black Foundation in 2019, dedicated to supporting first-responder families in crisis, whether from death or permanent disablement. (Because of the virus lockdowns, the foundation lay dormant for 2+ years, but was re-launched in August 2022.) Between February and May 2023, TBF has made two donations of $1000 each in the name of this mission. One was to support the family of a fallen officer in California, contributing to the pay-off of the family's mortgage; the other for the family of a fire captain in Maine who suffered cardiac arrest while on call. (The fire captain survived and has returned to his family, for which we are enormously grateful.)

For more information, please go to the Trooper Black Foundation's website at https://trooperblackfoundation.org. We all strongly believe that Trooper Black continues to serve by prompting us, through his memory, to establish the foundation.

Sally M. Chetwynd
Brass Castle Arts & TBF secretary

July 9, 2023

RIP

M. Lyons
RETIRED: DHS, Oceanside PD, & USMC C.I.D.

July 3, 2023

I was only a 3 year-old and a resident of South Berwick when this happened. But, I used to deliver the newspaper to the police station on Main St and saw Trooper Black's memorial plaque on the wall of the station and thought of him often when my grandfather solemnly told me what had happened.
Without dedicated LEO, this country would be in total chaos instead of partial chaos. Currently in South Florida, I cannot even cross the street in a crosswalk without the risk of getting hit. We need to maintain higher standards and let LEO do their jobs without constantly questioning their intent.... they serve and protect us.

Chris Holmes

November 7, 2021

I just can't understand sometimes the argument of a broken, biased and unfair justice system that seems to be continuously argued today when it continuously appears as if the only unjust and biased decisions of that system seem to be against our LEO's. I don't know what was behind the decision of paroling two convicted felons who had not only just committed a bank robbery, but killed a LEO in the process, and not knowing the factors and what was behind it, I'll yield to my ignorance and not comment further on it. Instead, I'll focus on the amazing job this web site does to focus on the memories and sacrifices of the amazing men and women who came before us. Amazing men like you Trooper Black whose service will not only always be honored and remembered, but whose heroic actions and sacrifice that day will never, ever be forgotten. THANK YOU and rest in peace always sir.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 9, 2020

Paying Honor and Respect to the man that was responsible for my career choice. Rest In Peace Charlie. You will never be forgotten.

Detective Steven Mack
Huntington Beach PD. ( Ret)

July 9, 2020

Rest in peace Trooper Black.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 17, 2020

My name is Dennis Cullen and I am a retired NYPD Lieutenant. To the family of Trooper Black....I am profoundly sorry that you have been victimized yet again....all these years later.. while simply trying to honor your...OUR... fallen hero. I have witnessed terrible loss in my years with the NYPD and it pains me greatly to see the circumstances in which your family finds itself today. Trooper Black gave his life protecting our way of life....our hopes and dreams for what we may realize in the pursuit of happiness....for what we may become as a nation...all this is what he put his life on the line for.......and so his family might realize a better tomorrow....you should not have to go through this....you have all paid a horrific price for your country...for your fellow man. But please, DO NOT apologize, DO NOT feel in the least bit responsible or guilty or empathetic to those who would disgustingly twist your profound loss and the sacrifice of an honorable man for a political statement or because of their misguided beliefs and opinions.
if you get a moment, please look up and read "on sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs" by Lt Col Dave Grossman. I hope it will help you. Trooper Black was a sheepdog, and did an outstanding job protecting his herd. May God bless your whole family and may you take peace and comfort in knowing that you have a warrior angel looking over you every day. I am so sorry for your loss and the opening of wounds that im sure never really healed.

Lt Dennis Cullen
NYPD Ret.

July 29, 2019

I grew up with Clint Black...Trooper Black’s oldest son. Looking at your photograph, i can tell you - your son looks just like you. I attended a ceremony at State Police Barracks A with the Black family. I got a key tag with the State troopers insignia that I keep in my jewelry box.
When I worked at the World Trade Center site in 2001, I became close with many of your Brothers in Arms. When I saw your Picture , i felt compelled to comment. I haven’t seen Clint in a few years now (since the family moved) but i do know he is a good man and he is raising your GrandDaughter. I was not close with your youngest boy. But Mary was like another mother to me. Thank you for your Service

Robert F Glancy Jr
WTC Rescue and Recovery Ironworker

June 25, 2019

You are a true hero, Trpr. Black. I send my condolences to both your blood family and your blue family. You served your nation and your state with honor and integrity.

That the killers could be released in 8 short years, much less EVER, is a travesty I find hard to accept. God Bless you, your family, and all those that have & continue to serve the people of Maine. May God keep you safe.

Dpty. Dwayne E. Larriviere (Ret)
Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office, La.
Co-LEO/Wrkr of:
M/Tpr. Stephen H. Gray,
Louisiana State Police, EOW: May 29, 1995

May 9, 2019

I grew up with your three sons and their mother the boys and I hung out together frequently. Your middle son William and I were inseparable God bless him I miss him so much. I still run into Charlie and Clint and your wife Mary now and then (should be more often) and now that I am in my fifties I often wonder how much different all of us would have been if you hadn't been killed and if Bill would still be here and if we would still hang out. I don't know if there is a heaven nut if there is I know you and Bill are together again and happy. Thank you for your service and all my love to Charlie, Clint and Mary miss you guys so much.

Edward G Small

September 16, 2018

Hey Dad,
Thinking of you today, 53 years after you last left home.
I have often times gotten angry at those who have questioned how I could miss a Dad who I have never met, and then other times wonder if they have been correct all along.
We all were robbed of what should have been a much longer, happier time together due to the shortsightedness and apathy of a couple of career criminals, but you will never be forgotten.
Thank you for your sacrifice, and for giving me at least a tiny piece of that wonderful, piercing smile of yours. I don't show it nearly as often as I should, but I really appreciate it when someone tells me that I remind them of you when I decide that it's okay to smile.
I don't hear many stories about you these days, but occasionally I still do, and it always makes me smile.
Miss you Dad,
Charlie

Charles C. Black II
Youngest Son

July 9, 2017

National Police Week is over...it was an honor for me to ride for Trooper Black's in the 2016 L.E.U. Road to Hope bike ride from Reading, Pa. to Washington D.C.

Thank you Trooper Black for your bravery and your ultimate sacrifice. Thank you also to your loving family. I have been touched by your wife Mary and know she has proudly supported you all these years. Thank you and I pray your service is never forgotten.

Lynne
Surviving widow

May 30, 2016

Trooper Black was very friendly to me when I was a very young girl living in South Berwick. I was only ten when he was killed. Perhaps it was an impressionable age, but all these years later, I frequently find him in my thoughts. I am currently working to finish a novel, in which one of the minor characters is a police officer. Since introducing this police officer, I have become much more intentional to portray my Sgt. Hancock as a good friend, not only to my main character but to his community at large. I know that the warm place in my heart for all police officers was cultivated by Trooper Black's kindness to me. I hope that my story may be one small step to turn around the current national madness against the police.

Sally M. Chetwynd
Civilian

April 11, 2016

Trooper Black, thank you for your sacrifice, and of course your family's. I was humbled recently to meet your loving wife Mary. She has persevered despite many hurdles. She is an inspiration and has sacrificed greatly. Your death should never be forgotten, it's unfortunate the criminals served such a short sentence.
I hope to see your wife again at anothe C.O.P.S. spouse retreat. Let's never forget your loss, and the ripple effects it has had.

L Parry
Widow

October 2, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

July 15, 2015

Trooper Black,
On today, the 51st anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a LEO but for our Country as well when you served in the USAF. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. I have to agree with the previous reflection left by 1st Archer regarding the two POS's who murdered you and were released from prison after only serving 8 years-it just sickens me.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

July 9, 2015

This happens too often to our Brothers and Sisters. That the perpetrators of this crime were parolled from a life sentence after serving less than 10 years is both outrageous and insulting to the criminal justice system and those who serve it so selflessly. I hope that Trooper Black's family and the agency he served are doing well.

First Sergeant William K. Archer
Maryland State Police (Ret.)

July 11, 2014

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE , REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

July 9, 2014

Trooper Black,
Thank you for your bravery, courage and dedication. I am very sorry about your death and what your family must have went through when you passed away. i just wanted to say thank you so much for your service to the Maine State police department. You were a true hero in my eyes and I cant thank police officers enough for their service. Your death has shown me how fragile human life is, and how fast it can be taken away from us, and how we should always cherish life because we dont know when it will be taken away from us. Your spirit lives on and you will never be forgotten, and will always have everlasting honor. Rest in Peace Trooper Black.

Raul Arce .
CJ 1, California

April 22, 2014