Family, friends bid farewell to deputy
Colleton County sheriff's Deputy Dennis Compton
Melissa Haneline
The Post and Courier
Hardeeville police officer Richard Jennings (left) salutes Saturday as the funeral procession for Colleton County Deputy Dennis Compton drives past on Memorial Street in Walterboro. Compton was killed early Wednesday as he responded to a burglar alarm at a house in Smoaks.
Melissa Haneline
The Post and Courier
Tabatha Compton, widow of Colleton County Deputy Dennis Compton, stands as the casket is put into a hearse Saturday after a ceremony at First Baptist Church in Walterboro.
INVESTIGATION
The investigation continued Saturday into the killing of Colleton County Sheriff's Deputy Dennis Compton, but the State Law Enforcement Division did not report any new developments.
"We have no new information, but we're working on it around the clock," SLED Public Information Officer Kathryn Richardson said.
Compton, 39, was shot to death at 3 a.m. Wednesday when he responded to a burglar alarm at a home in rural Smoaks. At least three people have been questioned about the shooting, and a number of people have been arrested during the investigation. No one has been charged so far in connection with the death.
SLED is leading other law enforcement agencies in a hunt that involved as many as 100 police, dogs and helicopters sweeping the area the next morning.
WALTERBORO — Tabatha Compton had steeled herself, it was apparent. She led the families to the church steps for the procession of nearly 300 officers, bringing her daughter with one hand, her son with the other.
Inside the First Baptist Church lay the casket holding the body of her husband, Colleton County Deputy Dennis Carl Compton.
Tabatha Compton stood with her head raised, proud, still. But as the uniforms and the white gloves went by, she pressed a tissue to her face, stiffened and threw her head back. Family members hugged her from behind and rubbed her arms.
The funeral for Dennis Compton was held Saturday, three days after he was shot to death early in the morning in the rural county while responding to a burglar alarm. A committal service followed in the church's live-oak-draped courtyard.
The body will be cremated and half the ashes returned to his homeplace in Virginia. A Prince William County, Va., police car accompanied the families and a line of Colleton County Sheriff's cars to the church, blue lights flickering like candles.
Colleton County Sheriff George Malone told mourners that from now on, when alarms go off, the dispatcher call will carry the call number 535, Compton's employee number.
"Compton was a man," Malone said, emphasizing the last word. "He was an outstanding deputy. I intend for this officer to be remembered."
Colleton County Sheriff's Deputy Anthony "Tony" Buchanan, Compton's cousin and lifelong friend, told mourners that when they were children they played cops and robbers and neither would be the bad guy — they had lived their childhood dream.
"Dennis is a hero. If he hadn't gotten there the other night, somebody else would have died who wouldn't have had a chance. He had a chance (because he was a trained deputy). This is what we do," Buchanan said.
Earlier, Malone provoked laughter that had a gasp of release when he teased lightly about when Buchanan recommended Compton for a job and Malone prayed over it. "God," he recalled praying, "Can you and Colleton County stand two Tonys?"
"I know my God," Chief Deputy Ted Stanfield said. "I profess it and I know it in my heart that He has Dennis safe."
Then they filed outside, officers from nearly every local and state law enforcement agency in the region. An American flag fluttered wanly above the street, hung between two Colleton County Fire-Rescue ladder trucks, where the hearse waited.
As bagpipes wailed, Tabatha Compton followed the casket, the pallbearers, making eye contact with the men and women in the line of uniforms.
She took her seat in front of the casket as a family member held her tightly. The rifles cracked out their salute, and her head twisted once to the side. A child began to cry. The bugler blew taps. Tabatha Compton put her hand over her mouth and sobbed.
When they folded the casket flag to present to her, she could take it no longer. She broke down.
Three State Law Enforcement Division helicopters flew over in formation.
One of the officers in line put her white-gloved hands over her face and cried. The officers were called to attention and she snapped up straight, still crying.
Then the casket was brought to the hearse and there was a long, lingering moment of silence. From among the mourners in the seats, only Tabatha Compton rose. She stood in salute, in goodbye, alone.
Reach Bo Petersen at 745-5852 or bpetersen@postandcourier.com.
E-mail this story 
Printer-friendly version
Notice about comments:
The Post and Courier is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. The Post and Courier does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "suggest removal" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our Web site.
Full terms and conditions can be read here.
Comments
This article has 19 comment(s)
Posted by MRSCVS on August 10, 2008 at 12:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Rest in sweet peace Officer Compton.
Your an angel now flying high in the heavens!
God Bless
Posted by ForPnC on August 10, 2008 at 4:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Rest in peace, Deputy Compton. You will be missed.
My condolences to the family.
Posted by BKLYNIRISH on August 10, 2008 at 7:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Colleton County Sheriff George Malone told mourners that from now on, when alarms go off, the dispatcher call will carry the call number 535, Compton's employee number."
Fitting idea, but how about sending two officers to alarm calls?
Posted by southerngirl45 on August 10, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This mornings article brought tears to my eyes and I pray this family can soon find peace.I am wondering however why there was no mention of Deputy Compton's other family and especially his other two children by his first wife.Were they there and why were they not mentioned? I am just wondering.We should not forget them,for they are his children also!Sometimes in situations like this the other half gets forgotten.I am in no way trying to disrepect anyone and I send his entire family my sincere condolences!
Posted by ChasCarolinaGirl on August 10, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I really hope that the jerk who did this is reading this article about Mrs Compton losing her husband. This type of person wouldn't care but they will have to answer for it one day.
You jerk! You took the life of someone!! How in the hell could anyone do that? You deserve what is coming to you!
God bless this family! I couldn't even read the entire article but what I did read just sends chills down my spine. :(
Posted by chucktonian on August 10, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the crackhead animals that did this need to be boiled alive in battery acid
Posted by GreenvilleGirl on August 10, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know Officer Compton is with our Heavenly Father. I pray for God to be with Tabatha Compton and her family in the days to come. I know He will. There is purpose and reason in God's will; we may not always understand it, but He will watch over the Compton family, as will Officer Compton.
Posted by SeaSaw on August 10, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rest in peace Blue Angel.... you are not forgotten! A hero never is. I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Colleton County. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. I pray that justice will be served on your behalf.
Posted by k5 on August 10, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To southerngirl45 - yes, his 2 children were there along with his ex-wife and his daughter went up and stood along beside his cousin as she read a poem in Dennis' honor!
Posted by jeff61 on August 10, 2008 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by southerngirl45 on August 10, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am wondering however why there was no mention of Deputy Compton's other family and especially his other two children by his first wife. Were they there and why were they not mentioned?
I suspect he had children from a previous marriage since he had four children was only married two years. So I take it two of the children were from the previous marriage? I wish them best and and I hope they know they are in our thoughts as well. Thier father was a brave man who served "his country and community". Maybe the P&C should be mindful of these things and make an attempt to somehow get this information in the article so they do not feel left out.
Posted by SCPDBLUE on August 10, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER. YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR LE BROTHERS AND SISTERS HERE ON EARTH ONLY TO GO AND BE WITH OUR LE BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN HEAVEN.WHILE YOUR THERE SAY HELLO TO MY LE PARTNER SC STATE CONSTABLE 605 R. BAILEY . E.O.W. 14 MAY 2007. PEACE BE WITH YOU.
Posted by jhwt0509 on August 10, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is such a sad story. I won't lie I cried like a baby when I've read every article that has been published.
Posted by k5 on August 10, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It was a wonderful service that showed the honor that he deserved! His children came in from Virginia and his step children were here that he treated and loved as his also. He was a very loving family man that treated everyone that he met with respect! I don't know that there was anyone there that walked away with a dry eye!! We take for granted our law enforcement officers that protect us each and every day and not realizing the risks that they take each time that they go on a call, never knowing what they are up against!
Posted by southerngirl45 on August 10, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just came back on and thank you k5 and jeff61.You are right jeff61 they should be mindful and make attempts to include his other children in the articles.There just was not any mention but once I believe and I only felt that they should not be forgotten. I'm sure Deputy Compton was a wonderful father to all his children as he was a well respected all around guy.As I stated in a previous post,he just looks like someone who could light up a room. I imagine it was an honor to anyone who knew him.THANK YOU DEPUTY COMPTON FOR ALL YOU GAVE AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE UNTIL YOU ARE REUNITED WITH YOUR LOVEDONES.
Posted by Lightfoot on August 11, 2008 at 1:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dennis,
You know I was there in spirit and why I wasn't there physically. Don't worry about your mom, the Posse will take care of her. Your girls too, if they need us.
Thanks for making sure you had my favorite song to play, for "our" version of chocolate coke floats, for the nice memories of Jacksonville, for bringing all your DJ equipment and friends to the Halloween party's, for making us laugh til it hurt, for listening and entertaining us and just being a nice guy. I'll never look at rainbows the same again.
You deserved better. You will receive justice. You are forever in our hearts.
Posted by Dreamer728 on August 11, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Southerngirl45 I want you to know you worded that right! I was also wondering what about his other 2 kids. I cried like a baby when I read this article about Deputy Compton. I'm so sad for his kids that will no longer have a dad to come home too; a wife is now all alone with two kids. He was a great guy from the things I have read. All he ever wanted to do was serve and protect! I think that night he died saven someone else life. What a great guy! Why was he alone? Shouldn’t he have had backup with him? A partner? I pray for the family to find the strength to get these hard days. It will take time for the pain to not hurt as bad. But the pain will always be there. For a great man lost his life. Parents lost a son, kids lost there father, and a wife lost her husband. I know justice will be served. My god be with everybody in the Compton family
Posted by NOVAlisa on August 12, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I keep reading the article that was written on August 10,2008 in regards to our dear friend who has now passed on.It reads in part "The body will be cremated and half the ashes returned to his homeplace in Virginia".
So can someone answer to me as to "WHY" us friends and family up here in virginia are not able to say our final goodbye and give respect to Dennis and his wishes.I know that it is a trying time for his wife whom he was married for a little over a year.However it has been an unbearable reality to his lifelong friends and family here in Virginia.So I am asking that someone talk some sense to his wife and highly recommend and suggest that it would only be the right thing to give his remaining ashes to his greiving mom (she did give him life) so she may finally put her son to rest.
LASTLY,MAY I SUGGEST WITHOUT ANY STRIFE OR STRUGGLE.
I will continue to pray for the Compton family that they will be able to grant Dennis' wishes.
May we all continue to be blessed with one more day.
L.Phelps
Loving friend of Dennis' SOUL....
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Posted by Lightfoot on August 17, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A "Celebration of His Life" is being planned for Dennis in VA. Time and dates will be posted as final arrangements are made.
Thank you all for your comments.
The Family of Dennis Compton
Posted by k5 on September 4, 2008 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nov 18 and from what I understand - after the church, it will be private so that you WILL be able to say your goodbyes in peace!!