Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sheriff Howard,
On today, the 100th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Aiken County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

April 25, 2025

To Sheriff "Bud" Howard in Death:

There is no stronger, sweeter tie
In all the blessed Masters plan
Then that dear love which cannot die
Shrined in the heart of man for man.

I promised you that I would sing
A dirge for you when you were dead;
And how we laughed at such a thing
That seems so many years ahead!

And yet today you're once glad lips
Do not give back the smile I send;
And purple are your finger tips,
You are so cold, dear Bud, my friend.

We did not dream that this was near,
My pledge was only made in jest;
And yet today bowed on your bier,
I feel your noble heart at rest.

You were so big and strong and brave,
You were so gentle and so true;
Too just to even wrong the knave,
Who, fearing, still held love for you!

I loved you, friend, for well I knew,
Who reads the soul of humankind,
That you were of the golden few
Whom power only makes refined.

For I have seen you flare it wrong
And I have seen your eyes grow dim,
At childhood crushed beneath the strong
And I have thought "how much like Him!"

God loves the just, and you were just,
Untainted by the curse of greed
You stood for Right, and held your trust
Above all politics and creed!

Sleep well tonight--sleep well, my friend
Where once your boyish bare feet trod
This is the dawning, not the end
For men like you who die for God.

James Edwin Kerr
Poet Laureate of South Carolina
from Roses and Thorns, 1928

W.B. Ford
Great Grandson of Sheriff Howard

April 25, 2025

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

April 25, 2018

Thank you sir for your service to my county and for your courage!!!

PSO CW Edwards
North Augusta Department of Public Safety

February 2, 2015

Your heroism and service is honored today as we approach the 87th 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. He was shot twice when ambushed on April 23rd when he was on a foot pursuit of two bank robbers. Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

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

April 25, 2012

To the Grandfather we never had a chance to know, we love you!

Diane and Beverly

November 18, 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 Couty Sheriff's Dept.

July 9, 2007

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

July 18, 2006

Rest in peace my brother.

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

February 3, 2006

GOD BLESS. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER.

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