Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Perdue,
Even though it’s been over 30 years since your End of Watch you are still honored and remembered. Ci would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army-especially during the Vietnam War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

February 5, 2024

I met Sife in 1976 when he attended a course I was teaching. A finer man I never met. We became friends and spent time together. I was struck with his kindness and openness. I have never forgotten him. Reading these reflections I’m pleased that many others felt like me. God bless his memory and his family.

Michael Hardin

December 31, 2021

I worked as a patrolman for CPD 1984-87. Worked in the same squad as Sife. Sorry to hear of his passing. We were the relief squad for downtown and south.

glenn melton

July 31, 2021

This is to Karen, granddaughter to our brother in blue. Never think your grandfather will be forgotten. His life and service to his country will never be forgotten. His service both in the US Army and his law enforcement position shows the true character that he processed. God bless you and your family and be as proud of your grandfather as we are of him. Semper Fi from a Viet Nam Marine and California Highway Patrol officer.

State Traffic Officer 7185 and United St
California Highway Patrol

January 4, 2020

Uncle Sife,
There’s not too many days that go by that I don’t think of you. After graduating Marine Corps basic training, you invited me to stop by Ft Benning on my way to Memphis for electronic schooling. I will never forget the look on your face when you saw
Me in my uniform. You were so proud of me. What I never got to tell you was how much you meant to me. I had 2 hero’s in my life. My dad and You! I miss you but still share your life’s story with friends and my family that never got to meet you. Looking forward to seeing you again one fine day. Love ya “Uncle Sife”

Ken Maples
Nephew

October 30, 2019

Rest in peace Officer Perdue.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 10, 2019

As a young trainee at Ft Benning, Sgt Perdue was one who trained us for the trials to come in Vietnam. I remember him as one of the best and most personable of the Drill Sgts in our company. As I recalled his name today and did a quick search, I came across the notice of his passing so many years ago and immediately felt a sense of loss for someone who helped equip me to survive and lead a gun section in the 11th Armored Cav, also as a Sgt. Rest in peace Drill Sgt. for your life of service to me and so many others.

Alan Gravitt, SSGT.
Trainee under Sgt Perdue, US Army

August 26, 2018

My name is Karen, and I am the granddaughter of Sife Perdue. I sort of stumbled across this site today of all days. I was only 5 years old when he passed away so I have very few fuzzy memories of him. I have grown up hearing about him from my dad (his son) and the rest of my family but I love hearing what others thought of him and the exchanges they shared. I know he was an excellent athlete and excelled at anything he tried. I know he loved animals and they responded to him in ways that have been described as uncanny. I also know people were sort of drawn to him despite how intimidating he could be. I am now 28 and have a son of my own named Sife. He hasn't started asking too many questions yet about the man of which he shares a name, but I know soon he will. So, I thank you for your kind words and stories of which I will be able to share with him.

Karen
Granddaughter

January 6, 2017

I met Sife at a summer camp in North Georgia we both attended in our early teens. I remember his amazing athletic talent during our tag football games, when he would score touchdown after touchdown, untouched, in dazzlingly fast bursts of speed. We both vied for the attention of a cute girl, and he won. I was actually glad, because he didn't like losing! For some reason I remembered him after all these decades and looked him up on Google and found this sad news. What an impressive life he lived, packed into almost 50 years. It's good to see him remembered here.

W. Calhoun

July 13, 2016

"We in this world today....Shall be remembered.....
We few....We happy few....We Band of Brothers....
For he today....Whom sheds his blood with me....
Shall be....My Brother....
Lest Ye say it proudly.....We are but warriors for the working day." Shakespear

Can't believe it's been over twenty years since God took you home......I remember that day as if it was yesterday.....Our escort detail for the Chief's family and how proud you were to be a part of that assignment. Columbus, Ga. was just a lesser place upon your promotion to God's Heavenly shores....thought for a moment on May 02, 2005 that I would get to see you again..... I guess God has other plans for me just yet....but my comfort is knowing that I will see you again.....!

"Greater love have no man than this....that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

Lt. Mark D. "Mad Dawg" Starling-(Retired
Columbus Police Dept., Columbus, Ga.

May 17, 2015

Gone too soon. Miss you Uncle Sife.

Michele Maples Thayer
Niece

January 5, 2015

Sife and I briefly attended Norman Park Junior Collage in 1964/65. I was drafted into the US Army and lost touch with Sife. Fast forward to the fall of 1966, I was in the hospital in View Nam. I was going around the corner of a hospital ward and ran right into Sife. What a great reunion we had. I would have picked him out of a hundred people with that great smile of his. I leaned of his death from a mutual friend a while back. Rest in peace old friend.

Jimbo Heflin
Friend

August 6, 2013

When I was a little kid, all of three years old, Sife and his family, his first wife and son, were stationed in my hometown in the North of Germany. Our families became friends and spent much time together. It was through this early exposure to the english language that I became so proficient at it.
After the Perdue family left our town we lost touch. Years later we found him through the military, now retired from the army serving his country as a policeman, living with his second wife and daughter in Columbus. My father and I went to see them in 1993 on my first trip to the US and it was wonderful. I had never experience so much hospitality and so wanted to go back and spend more time with Sife and his family. Without hesitation Sife offered to let me spend a year with them going to High School. I was so excited and couldn't wait.
Sadly, the following year he was taken away from us and we again lost touch with his family.
If anyone here knows anything about the whereabouts of Lorie and Valerie, please let me know.
I am forever grateful to have known Sife.

Boris

June 19, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Perdue. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

March 24, 2012

Thanks for your services, Sife.

David

February 22, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, 18th 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 who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for solace for all those who love and miss
.you for I know both the pain and pride are forever,,

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

January 5, 2012

OFFICER PERDUE, YOU HAVE SERVED WELL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET .
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

January 5, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

December 31, 2007

"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 23, 2007

Sife, while at CPD I didn't know you well but, I'm happy to have served with you! I'll never forget you!

Rest In Peace

Darrion L. Eshmon

Darrion L. Eshmon
Former CPD Officer

October 7, 2007

I met Sife when we were in the 7th grade, his full name was sife kickalatern,he was native american indian, he was the coolest guy, I went back to a reunion recently and learned of his death,I will never forget you...
Robert e lee high school thomaston ga

Bobbie whittington
school classmate

June 29, 2007

In another reflection, someone refers to Sife as small in stature - and he was. But he was a fiery rascal. I worked in the housing projects in Columbus and got to know Sife well when he rode Beat 6 near the BTW housing project. I always liked going on calls with Sife because he was a cops cop. Dependable, fun to be around, and he would watch your back. I don't think he was ever happier than when he was on his motor. We used to meet at a store and have a cup of coffee from time to time. He carried a beat up old plastic mug in his saddle bag. I often think of Sife when I have a cup of joe. He, along with all the other CPD fallen, will never be forgotten as long as I draw breath. Rest easy, brother.

Matt Dunaway
CPD/Friend

March 12, 2007

Rest in Peace Motorman. You are not forgotten.

Motor Officer Danny Johnson
Metro Nashville Police Dept.

January 5, 2007

Sgt Perdue was a drill Sgt during my training at Ft Benning. I remember him as small of stature but large of spirit. I appreciate all the Drill Sgts who prepared us for combat. My respects to his family

Alan Gravitt
US Army

October 13, 2006

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

June 21, 2005