‘His name will not be forgotten’: Midlands mourns, honors fallen Columbia police officer Chris DeLong

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook made it clear before a full audience at Irmo’s Riverland Baptist Church that slain officer Chris DeLong would forever be a part of his department.

“His badge will not be forgotten. His sacrifice will not be forgotten. His family will not be forgotten. His name will not be forgotten,” Holbrook said during his eulogy for DeLong at a memorial service in Irmo.

DeLong, 28, was fatally shot while responding to a domestic violence call on Aug. 28. The suspect, later identified as Adam Dowdy, died in a shootout with DeLong and another CPD officer, David Dymock.

Dymock was also shot during the incident, but later recovered and was released from a hospital.

He was in attendance at Friday’s service, sitting feet away from DeLong’s casket. Holbrook also recognized Dymock as a hero.

“Injured and dazed, you crawled to Chris, talking to him, holding him. And I’m certain he heard you, and he felt you by his side. You’re a hero,” Holbrook said.

DeLong was remembered as a young father of two and a passionate protector of not only his family, but the city he served.

“He protected people he never met,” Holbrook said. “He showed compassion to people who needed it. He saved lives. He built friendships. He loved his family with everything he had. And in the end, he gave everything he had in service of others.”

CPD Cpl. Todd Ballard said he knew DeLong as a good friend and, as his supervisor, saw a bright future for him in law enformcent.

“I invested everything I had in Chris,” Ballard said. “I thought we’d have years together. I thought he’d follow me from region to region just like he said he would. We don’t get that chance now. But Chris, you were right. You’re still coming with me. Wherever I go, you’re coming with me. You’ll be part of me for the rest of my life and every officer I have the privilege of meeting after you will carry a little piece of what you taught me.”

Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann also spoke at Friday’s service, informing DeLong’s family that he had been posthumously promoted to the rank of lance corporal. He also presented DeLong’s family with a proclamation, honoring his sacrifice.

“You’re never alone,” he told the family before the announcement. “This family, from the region to the police department, to the city to the Midlands represented in this room today promises to stand by your side in the days, months and years to come. We carry Chris’s memory in our hearts every day and on every shift from this day forward.”

Holbrook later spoke at length about DeLong’s service, saying that he didn’t want the circumstances of his death to define how he lived.

“The impact of a life cannot always be measured in years,” he said. “Sometimes it’s measured in people, in family, in the love beyond measure...in the lives you’ve saved...in the community you’ve served...in laughter you created and in memories that remain long after you’re gone.”

DeLong’s burial took place in Elgin following Friday’s service.

Other officials, including South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson also attended Friday’s service.

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