‘Somber day of remembrance': Columbia Police Department remembers Larry Whitwell

This week, 41 years ago, Officer William “Larry” Whitwell lost his life while on duty with the Columbia Police Department.

In honor of Whitwell's sacrifice, the local department is recognizing the fallen officer's service this week in an effort to ensure that Whitwell and his family "will not be forgotten."

"On this somber day of remembrance, the Columbia Police Department honors Officer Whitwell and his family," the department shared in a message on social media on Tuesday.

During Columbia’s annual Mule Day celebrations, Officer William “Larry” Whitwell, 34, was shot on April 4, 1981, while attempting to place three offenders under arrest for a theft earlier that night.

Whitwell pulled over 19-year-old Andrew Jackson Braden III, 17-year-old James O’Neal and 26-year-old Ramona Lockeridge for speeding at the intersection of Confederate Drive and Wheeler Drive near the entrance of Columbia’s Woodland Park.

During a traffic stop, Whitwell discovered the three individuals inside the vehicle just robbed an employee of a local Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant, who was making a night deposit on High Street.

When he attempted to make the arrest, the three suspects overpowered Whitwell, and he was shot with his own weapon.

“They took his gun and took his handcuffs,” Michelle Jones, a retired CPD assistant chief previously told The Daily Herald. “Another officer found him lying in the middle of the road.”

Because the only means of communication was a car radio, the injured officer was unable to call for backup.

Whitwell passed away the following day from injuries sustained from the gunshot.

His death led to the decision to ensure that all officers carry radios on their person, not just in their patrol cars.

“If he would have had a handheld radio, he could have gotten help,” Jones said.

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Whitwell served the department for three years before his death, joining the Columbia department from the Belle Meade Police Department.

At the time of his death, Whitwell had a 3-year-old son, Ryan, and his wife Sandy has never remarried.

His wife, Sandra Whitwell spoke to a group of grieving families impacted by homicide during a December 2020 gathering hosted by District Attorney Brent Cooper.

"In 1981, my husband was taken from me," Whitwell told the event’s attendees from the stage of a Lawrenceburg church. “Larry was and is the love of my life."

The ceremony marked the first time the widow publicly shared her story following her husband’s murder.

She described her late husband as a dedicated high school athlete, a musician and a loving brother, who followed his passion for ministry while still a teenager.

By the time he was a high school junior, Whitwell was an ordained minister.

Following his graduation, Whitwell pursued his faith at Nashville’s Free Will Baptist Bible College, now known as Welch College where the two met.

“His baritone voice was absolutely amazing,” Whitwell said of her late husband.

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While attending the college, the two were married and balanced a combined six jobs before they moved to Wilson, North Carolina where Whitwell took a position as the music director at the Peace Free Will Baptist Church.

At the church, the two become close friends with a member of the congregation who was a highway patrolman.

“Our lives changed forever,” Whitwell said. “Larry was instantly drawn to police work.”

After two years, the young couple moved back to Nashville where Whitwell began studying law at Aquinas College and later found a position as a patrolman with the city of Belle Meade before completing his training at the state’s police academy.

The two then returned to Whitwell’s hometown when he took a position with the Columbia Police Department.

They then bought a home not far from downtown.

“He kept everybody happy,” Whitwell said.

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She recalled that Whitwell would often present her with gifts and surprises, always sharing four words with the new surprise: “Because I love you.”

After eight years of making attempts, the two were approved to adopt their first child.

When Whitwell learned of the approval, he visited his wife at her office with a bouquet of roses.

“What is this for?” she asked.

“Because I love you, and every new mom needs a rose,'” Whitwell said, echoing her husband's voice.

Whitwell remains the department’s only death in the line of duty since the passing of the city’s charter and its modern police force. He was known throughout the department and the community for his sense of humor.

“We hope he is the only one,” Jones said. “We will continue remembering to carry on his name and never forget. He loved his community, and he gave the ultimate sacrifice for people who he didn’t even know, and it is our duty to continue that on.”

Jones said Whitwell serves as a constant reminder for the department’s officers to always remain cautious and aware.

"He represents the unknown,” Jones said. “He is there as a reminder to be careful. He reminds us to always be vigilant and don’t become complacent. We all know his face, it’s like seeing a picture of someone in your family. It is something we never want to forget.”

Reach Mike Christen at mchristen@c-dh.net. Follow him on Twitter at @MikeChristenCDH and on Instagram at @michaelmarco. Please consider supporting his work and that of other Daily Herald journalists by subscribing to the publication.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Columbia Police Department remembers Larry Whitwell