Greenville County Remembers Fallen Officers

Greenville County honored the lives of fallen officers during an annual memorial service at the at the Greenville County Law Enforcement Center.

It's been 14 years since Marcus Whitfield, a Greenville County deputy, was killed in the line of duty on Aug. 13, 1999. Whitfield was shot and killed while he and two other deputies were attempting to break up a fight outside of a Waffle House.

Melita and Mike Whitfield of Lyman said to them it seems like yesterday.

"When you hear of another officer being shot or killed, it just brings it all back," Melita Whitfield said. "With God's help, we've come through it. And we have gained so many more sons and daughters in law enforcement. They all come give me hugs to make up for the ones I miss from my son."

The Whitfields each do their part to speak out and support other families who have lost sons or daughters in the line of duty. The two have become very active in the national Concerns Of Police Survivors organization. Melita Whitfield sits on the organization's board for South Carolina COPS.

"That's the way you rebuild lives," Mike Whitfield said. "You share with other mothers and fathers what you've been through the same circumstances as you. Talk about how you deal with it. God has helped us and given us strength. We will see Mark again."

Each year on the anniversary of Marcus Whitfield's death, his parents go to Applebee's to have his favorite dinner, Bourbon Street Steak. The two reminisce about their son and the man he had become.

"We also talk about how he would want us to live life," Melita Whitfield said. "He would want us to keep living life, loving life and celebrating life. But we still miss him terribly."

Forty-two officers have been killed in Greenville County between 1797 and 2003.

As the Whitfields looked at the names added to a memorial outside the Greenville County Law Enforcement Center, Melita Whitfield remarked that her son's name was one of the newest ones that had been added to the marker.

"We hope they never have to make another addition to this memorial," Melita Whitfield said.