By Tameka Kenan-Norman, City of Rocky Mount NC
Ten years ago, the Rocky Mount Police Department (RMPD) lost one of its own. On May 2, 2007, Officer Alan C. Silver, 23, succumbed to injuries sustained three days earlier in an automobile accident that occurred while he was responding to a robbery call.
His line-of-duty death was the first for the RMPD. To honor and remember Officer Silver’s death and the death of all fallen officers, the RMPD will hold special memorials and events during the month of May.
“To mark this solemn occasion and to honor Officer Silver, the police department will display a shrouded patrol vehicle at the Frederick E. Turnage Municipal Building flagpole on Tuesday and Wednesday,” said Linda Jones, Support Services division manager for the Rocky Mount Police Department. “Officers are asked to wear a mourning band on their badge on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, to honor the sacrifice made by Officer Silver.”
Decals in memory of Silver will be placed on police department vehicles, and blue and silver bows will be hung on the Alan C. Silver Memorial Bridge on Winstead Avenue above I-64.
In honor of all fallen officers, Law Enforcement United will be traveling through Rocky Mount on May 7, 2017, on their way to the National Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony in Washington, DC. The group of 35 cyclists is made up of surviving officers and family members of fallen officers.
On Monday, May 8, 2017, Mayor David Combs and the Rocky Mount City Council will present a proclamation designating May 15-21 as National Peace Officers Memorial Week, and will acknowledge the 10-year anniversary of Silver’s death. The regular city council meeting will take place at 7pm.
All RMPD officers will commemorate National Peace Officers Memorial Week by wearing their mourning badges. On Thursday, May 18, 2017, the “Twin County Memorial Ceremony” will be held at the Frederick E. Turnage Municipal Building flagpole beginning at 11am to honor all law enforcement officers from Nash and Edgecombe counties who gave the ultimate sacrifice. The municipal building is located at 331 S Franklin Street, Rocky Mount NC.
Silver graduated from the 10th Academy Basic Law Enforcement Training class. To honor the anniversary of his passing, and as a nod to his graduating class, two graduates of his academy class, Detective C. B. Whichard and Paul Pettit, designed a challenge coin for the occasion. The police department is offering a limited number of the commemorative challenge coins for $10.
“Alan was a natural leader,” said Detective Whichard. “He had a presence about him that signified professionalism. He was a model officer who was a joy to work beside.”
Ricky Parks, Silver’s recruitment officer and current Chief Deputy Marshal of the Supreme Court of North Carolina, concurs.
“Alan was the epitome of grace and humility,” said Parks. “People were his passion, and you knew that when you met him. He had a genuine care for people.”
For more information or to purchase a challenge coin, contact Detective Whichard at 252.972.1545.
