Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

March 22, 2010

Charlie and I served on SWAT together for many years. During one training day at the Fairfax Rod and Gun Club Charlie challenged me to a lunch time contest. We were to see who could "down" the most bowling pins using only our pistols. I won and no one was more surprised than me since Charlie shot competitevly and was our Team firearms instructor. Needless to say the other Team members ribbed Charlie for the rest of the afternoon, but Charlie took it with a smile. I still think about him, especially on March 22. He is missed. Ken Howard

Captain Ken Howard (Ret.)
Alexandria Police - Coworker

October 6, 2009

Charlie was a great supervisor ! I learned a great deal from him and I am thankful I was able to serve with him. I will never forget Charlie and his family is always in my prayers.

Anonymous

October 1, 2009

Charlie it was twenty years ago today, we have not forgotten you or Andy. Your courage lives on with every member of the Team. God bless you and Andy and may you both RIP.

SOT Team Member
Alexandria Police Department

March 22, 2009

The wicked flee where no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Proverbs 28:1

You are not forgotten, especially on this the anniversery of your death.

Friend of Off. Kris Fairbanks RIP 9-20-08

K.L.

March 22, 2009

"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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

April 1, 2008

Charlie, its been 19 years you, and your family are still in our prayers.

Vinnie
Retired APD

March 22, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on this anniversary.

Former N.H. Police Officer
Fauquier County, Va

March 22, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE AND DEDICATION

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

February 22, 2008

I'll always remember you Charlie, especially when I worked with you at the range when Roger was on leave. I will also remember the day when I was on the scene of Andy's suicide in Woodbridge. Alexandria lost two great officers!
Rest in peace brother.

MPO William A. Lawrence (retired)
Prince William County Va. PD

September 8, 2007

Charley its April 2007 now and ive been retired 7 months after serving 25 years with Fairfax Co. Police. You came to mind today while reminiscing about my academy days. I remember you being a range instructor and how much you intimidated me when i was a 22 year old recruit, i remember you counseling another recruit for having pearl handled grips on his off duty weapon and how not to appear to be a "hotdog". You were always a fair no nonsense guy and i admired you. I watched you die in front of tv cameras on that day in 1989 and couldnt believe that it was you. This is just a note to let you know you will never be forgotten.

Detective Greg Holloway (ret)
Fairfax Co. Police Fairfax Virginia

April 26, 2007

Rest in Peace Bro...We'll take it from here...

Patrol/SRO/GC - #3775
Sister - MI

March 22, 2007

Dear Charley,

It has been over 25 years since you taught me in the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy. Many of the things you taught me served me well throughout my career and more than once saved my life. I remember your infectious smile and your positive attitude. You were truly one of my favorite instructors and I will never forget how shocked I was when I heard of your loss. Though many miles seperated us word always spreads fast in the Law Enforcement Community. I just wanted to let you and youyr family know that because of your willingness to train and give your life to others. I am one of many of the officers you trained that took a little bit of you with me as I went out onto the street. Some of what you taught me later saved my life. Thankyou for your sacrifice and influence in my klife and thank you for your sacrifice to our world. It was a little better place because you were here. Rest in piece Brother

Retired Deputy Sheriff D. Chris Schultz
Missoula County Sheriff's Department Missoula Montana

May 19, 2006

You presence with Special Ops continues on every entry.

God Bless you, Charlie. RIP.

Anonymous

May 15, 2006

I worked with Charlie for many years. I remember the day we responded to an alarm in Delray. Upon arriving on the scene we found an open door. Charlie checked the lower level, and i checked the upper level. After checking the upper level Charlie went upstairs just to check again. While up there I heard him yell " against the wall monkey " Upon hearing this I thought to myself how did I not find anybody, and then I ran upstairs, and into the bedroom he was in. As I entered the bedroom Charlie was holding a stuffed animal (monkey) against the wall. When He saw the expression on my face he busted out laughing. Charlie was also our firearms instructor. What a pain in the neck he was. Looking back at his firearms training I realized he was doing it for our benefit so we would be prepared for any situtation. Charlie continue to look down on all the members of APD, and keep them safe.

Vinnie
APD Retired

April 10, 2006

I just happened to see this site by accident today. I served with Charlie and other Special Operations Team members that day, including K-9 Officer Andy Chelchowski, who is the unnamed officer who was also wounded. That incident changed all our lives. Charlie and Andy were good men, good fathers, good husbands, and good cops. As far as I and the many of our SOT team are concerned, Andy died in the line of duty that day as well. They both served with honor and distinction. I submit this tribute on behalf of everyone who was in that alley and on the scene that day. We still miss and honor you guys and think you you often.

Detective
Alexandria Police Department (retired)

April 5, 2006

Charles, rest in peace bother, and know you are not forgotten. I pray God has blessed your family.
3/22/06

Deputy
Chesterfield Sheriff’s Dept. Va.

March 22, 2006

To Corporal Charles Hill and his loved ones:

On this the seventeenth anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart goes out to your family. You’re in our thoughts and our prayers.
Reading the loving reflections about your beloved Charlie gives us some understanding of what a kind and honorable man he was, and how respected he was by his peers. I love his amazing smile in his memorial picture.

I was also saddened to read about the suicide four years later of the officer that was wounded in the incident that took Charlie's life. Since my son was fatally shot, I have become convinced that the fatal bullets do not just kill our fallen officer, but kill a part of everyone that cares for them.

Charlie, you rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Corporal Hill. I am humbled by your valor, courage, and dedication.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Charlie gave to his community and the citizens of New York and Virginia, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on March 22, 1989.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

March 22, 2006

My cousin was very close to Charlie (as I recall, Charlie was a groomsman in his wedding) and was with him as an Alexandria K-9 officer on the day Charlie was killed. This incident hit my cousin very hard and he has long since left law enforcement work, but is doing fine now. I have seen videotapes relating to the incident at "Street Survival" seminars sponsored by Calibre Press, which along with the reflections left here by so many who knew and loved Charlie will keep the memory of this great officer and his ultimate sacrifice close to everyone's hearts. Through my cousin's experiences, Charlie is truly close to our family's hearts, and our sincere condolences still go out to all who were privileged to know and work with him.

Richard A. Claybrook, Jr.
Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney
Harrisonburg/ Rockingham County, VA

Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney
Harrisonburg/ Rockingham CWA's Office

February 19, 2006

I did not know Corporal Hill, but I lived down the street from the church where his funeral was held. I was only nineteen at the time, but I can remember even then thinking that this must have been one hell of an officer. There were so many cars in our neighborhood and they had all the streets blocked off in Del Ray.

I have always had alot of respect for the police and I now work as a police dispatcher. It is the best job I have ever had. I believe that each one of them puts their lives on the line each and every day for our safety and they deserve our utmost respect.

Even though I did not know Cpl. Hill personally, I feel that I did since he was responsible for protecting the city that I lived in and I thank him and his family for that and for their sacrifice.

Anonymous
Herndon Police Department

February 14, 2006

My mother spoke of you and Andy often. As her training officers I am sure that you two left a lasting impression on her throughout her career as a Police officer. You two will always be in my heart.

Beverly McCredy

December 3, 2005

Officer Hill was the Alexandria Police Officer that would come to our Del Ray Citizens Assn meetings. We got to know him well and loved him and were deeply grieved at his sacrifice. We have a park in Del Ray that is called the Charlie Hill Park. I am on a mission to explain to the new neighbors just who Charlie Hill was because there is nothing there but a sign with his name. Could somebody help?

Judy Lowe
Del Ray Neighbor

May 9, 2005

Charley, I remember seeing you often exercising at the Lee Center where we would share topicality. You were always cheerful, friendly, and insightful. While we were not really close friends, I miss those days and discussions. I'm sure many others who knew you share similar thoughts. You will always be remembered with fondness.

Sergeant John Kapetanis
Alexandria Sheriff's Office

December 2, 2004

Corporal Hill, I honor you, your name, your memory and mostly, your ultimate sacrifice. With deepest respect and brotherly love, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer).

Special Agent Jim Crotty
ATF (SA, Retired)

April 2, 2004

I remember Charlie from 1980 when I was a rookie patrol officer and he was my FTO. He taught me a lot that I have carried throughout my career. I saw the television coverage of the events that took Charlie's life and they still haunt me. Charlie will remain in my thoughts for the rest of my life.

Anonymous

December 9, 2003