Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dear Lance Corporal Michael Allen Chappell,
We did not know you, but after reading your reflections, it is apparent that you were an awesome person. May your family find peace in knowing that your memory can never be taken away. Thank you for your service. Your LEO family has it from here. Heroes Live Forever....

LEO Wife and Mom
Sgt. M. Chappell and Officer M. Chappell

March 27, 2009

Mike:

IT'S fall again, your favorite time of the year. It's never the same without you getting ready for the first dove hunt of the season. It doesn't seem right without you here to get ready and they have even taken the Darlington Labor Raced away. Todd is working on his racecar and Ryan is working on his dirt bike. Todd likes hunting but Ryan shows -0- interest. I guess he has to be tii quiet. I live and miss you. Your memory lives FOREVER.

Anonymous

September 9, 2008

S C H P - my boyhood dream of being a Cop.

Thank You for having served the Carolina Community.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

April 17, 2008

Mike:
In just a couple of days it'll be 13 years since you were taken from us. Not a day goes by that I don't miss you and think about things you said or did. Ryan acts so much like you and Todd looks more like you everyday. We miss you so much. I put flowers in church yesterday in Memory of you. Ryan likes to hear stories about you, which we often talk about things you and the boys did together. By the way the
boys continue to keep Bo busy. I am so grateful that he stays in touch with the boys and tries to keep them in line.
We love and miss you.

Diane Chappell
wife

April 14, 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

November 16, 2007

We continue to honor you for your service and commitment to duty to the citizens of the State of South Carolina.

Your sacrific will never be forgotten.

May God bless Diane and your boys.

Lois Rao
Surviving Mother
SCHP Senior Trooper Michael J. Rao
End of Watch June 12, 2002

Lois Rao

October 8, 2007

I remember you from way back when we rode the same bus to school. You grew up to be a fine man. Your wife Diane is such a sweet woman with a big heart. She is a good friend to our daughter Susan. I suppose that their friendship is a good thing that has come from the heartbreak of your and Jon's loss. We will strive to look for the good. I think you and Jon would want us to.
Debbie

Debbie Brewer
COPS friend

April 24, 2007

Mikey,
Yesterday was your going home anniversary of 12 years. We miss you so much and I love you. Ryan went to the cemetary yesterday, Todd never let on that he remembered what day it was but I know he did. We each have to deal with things in a different way. Todd is more like you and Bo just keeps to himself. Ryan is more like me letting our emotions flow.
I know it's selfish to wish you and Daddy back because Heaven is suppose to be wonderful, how's the quail hunting there. You are NEVER forgotten. I am doing all I can to keep your memory alive.

Love,
Diane

Diane Chappell
wife

April 18, 2007

Thank you for your service to your fellowman. May God continue to bless you and your loved ones. Rest in peace my brother.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables

April 17, 2007

Mike,
In just a couple of days it will be 12 years since the Lord took you home. The boys and I miss you as much today as we did April 17, 1995. I thank the Lord everyday for the time He gave you to us and the precious 2 sons we have that as long as they are near so are you. Todd and Ryan each has a special part of your looks and personality. I love to hear the wonderful stories about you; whether its a patrol or a hunting story. I keep remembering what Sgt. Len Gamble said about you at the first of 2 Mike Chappell Day's, "God had thorns in His rose garden and needed a rose." I wish God had let us keep the rose but I know you are now safe in His arms. We love and miss you but you are never forgotten. Love, Diane

Diane Chappell
wife

April 15, 2007

Mike, it has been over 11 years now, and I miss you as much today as I did then. You will NEVER be forgotten. Rest with angels, my friend.
Harvey

Harvey Beckwith
best friend/coworker

November 12, 2006

Mr. Mike,

You were the first State Trooper I ever knew, I use to marvel at the turnning lights on your car and the badge you carried on your chest, each day me and Ryon would wait for you to come home so we could see the lights and hear the siren on your patrol car. I remember the goose that hung on the wall in the livingroom, and I'll never forget eating supper with your family during the week, I still tell people about your bird dogs, and all the quail you raised in that old cotton wagon, I'm waiting to hear from the highway patrol, to see if I've been selected for the next trooper school,If I make it I will be thinking of you, and the sacrifice you made for our families. You will never know how much I looked up to you, but one day we will meet again.

Firefighter/EMT
Lee County EMS

October 18, 2005

The policeman stood and faced his God, which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shinning just as brightly as his brass.
"Step foward 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 gues I ain't. Because those of us who carry badges, can't always be a saint."
I've had to work most Sundays and at time my talk was rough... and sometimes I've been violent because the strees are awful 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 to step."
"And I never passed a cry for help, though at time I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I wept unmanly tears."
"I know I don't deserve a place mong the people here. They never wanted me around except to calm their fear."
"If you have a place for me here, Lord it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had to 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 judgment of his God.
"Step foward now, policeman. You've borne your burdens well. Come walk the beat on Heavens strees. You've done your time in hell."

L/Cpl. C. K. McLendon
Horry County Plice Dept.

June 11, 2005

May the memory of your service, heroism and sacrifice remain forever. God bless you and your family.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

July 13, 2004

GOD BLESS. OUR PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY. GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER. OUR PRAYERS TO YOUR FAMILY.

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

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer. Tonight, April 17, 2003 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Lance Corporal Michael Chappell who died on this date 8 years ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Lance Corporal Chappell's sacrifice will never be forgotten

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

Mike if I knew that 8:00 that morning would have been the last time we would have been together, what all I could have said. But your friendship is one that I will always cherish. We had good times riding back and forth to different schools. I'll remember that last trip to Charleston for our promotional test. Also I haven't given anyone that secret recipe. Every time I use it, I think of you. Albert

CPL. Albert Mobley
South Carolina Highway Patrol