Tributes, tears as city honors Chief Carter

‘Happy, happy, happy,’ says chief, overwhelmed by well-wishers

By Mandy Catoe

Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at 2:00 am 

There were lots of hugs and tributes and a few tears Monday at the Historic Courthouse during a busy three-hour drop-in for retiring Police Chief Harlean Carter.
A steady crowd of well-wishers flowed in and out, with at least 30 people filling the old courtroom the entire time.
“It’s been a pleasure to work with the chief over the years,” said Sheriff Barry Faile, one of many officials in the room. “She’s always been a team player and always had the best interests of the citizens in mind. She will be missed.”


Several times, Carter was overcome with emotion. She said she was too full to comment. Her eyes scanned the many faces surrounding her, and tears rolled down her face. She managed to say, “Happy, happy, happy.”
Carter’s retirement takes effect Dec. 12. She has worked at the police department for 26 years, the last six in the top job.
Friends, family, colleagues and a flurry of city and county officials stopped by Monday to bid the chief farewell.
Kristen Grant, a SLED agent and former Lancaster Police Department gang investigator, made the trip back to Lancaster to thank her former boss.

“Chief Carter has been a great role model for me,” Grant said. “As a woman, she has been a great mentor for me.”
Pageland Police Chief Craig Greenlee, who served under Carter’s leadership, was there. He said he is applying what he learned from Carter in his new job.

Carter graciously accepted the praise of many, but also continued to give it.
As she embraced Officer Michael Hirtle, she said, “He is the epitome of what a police officer should be. He is personable. He gets the job done. He loves the community, and he lets people know he loves the community.”
“I learned it from the chief,” Hirtle chimed in. He has been an officer for 16 years.
The chatter echoed in the spacious second-floor room. Recurring refrains of “I love you” and “thank you” were constant.
Katie Brown, principal of Buford Elementary School, thanked the chief for the outreach work she did at her school years ago.
“She’s been special in my life ever since,” Brown said.
Capt. Dwayne Davis, a 20-year police veteran, thanked the chief for her belief in him for promoting him to captain in 2013.
“We are close friends, and I will miss her,” Davis said.
Davis described a close-knit working relationship in the department.
“It is a little sad,” Davis said. “I love her. I’ve seen other chiefs, but her involvement in the community sets her apart, and we are going to continue that.”
Among the attendees was Elijah Carter, the chief’s husband.

“We plan to tour the country,” he said.
Kenneth Cauthen, the police chaplain, described the chief as a jewel to the city.
“I hate to see her go,” he said.
City Administrator Flip Hutfles said the chief made her contribution to the city and deserves to enjoy retirement.
“I’m sad to see her go because of her rapport with officers, the community and all the citizens, regardless of socio-economic status,” Hutfles said. “She will be hard to replace.”


Minister Marvin Tennant from Christian Assembly worked outreach with the chief at Southside. He complimented Carter on her work with the community.
Noteworthy praise came from her daughter, Sherese Wilson, who said, “She has always been Mom to me, but watching her move through her career made me want to emulate her.”
Wilson, 36, is a federal probation officer based in Columbia.
“She was an officer when I was born, and she was one of the first female officers in Philadelphia,” Wilson said. “If I can achieve just half of what she has, then I will have done a good job.”

Follow Reporter Mandy Catoe on Twitter @MandyCatoeTLN or contact her at (803) 283-1152