April 20th 2007 The Funeral.
We awaited the preparations by the Highway Patrol patiently while they shut down the intersections leading from the funeral home to the church. It seemed like an eternity. We all tried to make small talk, but the facts of why we were there were looming over us like a storm cloud about to burst. The minutes seemed like hours and finally we got into squad cars and started the procession.
As we met each intersection, police from all different jurisdictions met us with salutes and grim faces as they watched their fallen comerade pass by in a whir of blue lights and tears. People lined the streets at times and in particular, as I glanced to the right I saw the entire staff of the Pit Stop, where many of us have our cars repaired, standing with their hats off in a line facing the convoy as it sped down hwy 17. Many people who were stopped by the police at intersections actually got out of their cars and stood in reverence as we passed, a true sign of the respect our community has for the service our officers provide us.
As we slowly motored into the church lot, we saw the Patriot Guard, still standing there waiting for us with solemn faces flags waving in the afternoon breeze.
I was the first to exit, huriedly bringing music and a slideshow for the funeral, but I wanted to stop and take in the magnitude of the awesome scene before me. I knew somewhere though, Jack Davis (Dawn's adopted brother) was snapping photos, trying to keep his mind off of the fact that he was burying the second one of his very close friends in just a short few years. If it wasn't for our diligence in preparing the media for this event, we both would have been absolutely ruined due to our greif.
Jack and I both loved Dawn very dearly, like a sister. Jack first introduced me to Dawn as his sister and Jack's daughter has been known as more of a Tillman than she is a Davis since Dawn adopted Mallory as her neice. As I was going through her cell phone, looking for officer Nunley's number, I passed her entry for Mallory (Jack's Daughter). Her name was entered as Mallory Tillman Davis. Dawn loved that girl that much. I know first hand that it was reciprocal, for I always heard from Mallory "Aunt Dawn! Aunt Dawn!" when she called on the phone or was pulling up in the drive.
After delivering the music and slideshow to the church tech guys, I passed Jack, steely eyed, snapping photo's as Dawn's brother Roy passed between us with a determined look on his face, headed toward the casket where he was to say his last good-byes. I left them to this and stepped back into the foyer where the rest of the immediate family awaited access to the chapel.
After Roy walked out, full of tears, we all filed into the chapel to take our seats. I walked in with Jack's wife, Anita and Mallory, his daughter. After getting our seating corrected by the staff of Mcallister-Smith, we sat in awe, as the slideshow I made that morning played along with the soundtrack Jack put together. We all started crying as we watched, then we laughed as we saw photos of her acting silly. It was so surreal. We really couldn't believe she was actually lying there under that American flag with these police flanking her, standing at attention.
The last police guard was relieved in ceremonial precision and we then heard from several pastors, Wayne Dewitt the police cheif of Berkeley County and Terry Sanderson, another of Dawn's close friends. The eulogy that Mr. Dewitt delivered will be with us all for years to come. I wish I had a transcript of every word, for it was very moving. Wayne Dewitt is every bit the man that Dawn has described to me over the past 2 years. She loved and respected that man and his words were a difinitive representation of just what kind of man we have running our police force. Please keep him in your prayers, for he has lost many in his family as of late. He truly loves his staff as family and it shows. I was impressed with the deep committment the employees of the police departments have to each other. I guess it would be that way for all of us civilians if we were to face the life and death situations our police force experiences daily.
After listening to several very moving orations , we were presented with the most chilling and cementing of the ceremony. As we all stood there listening to the silence, a voice rang out over the speakers obviously coming from a walkie talkie radio... a dispatcher called out the last call:
“County 138, Central…..”
“County 138, Central…..”
“County 138, Central…..
“Attention all units, County 138 has ended her tour of duty.”
There weas barely a dry eye in the house.
Soon thereafter we all filed out following the casket to the hearse. I made my way to Jack, who had sat on the other side of the chapel, so he could get better photographs. We walked out together with his wife and daughter, where he fell to his knees and finally broke down, devastated by the pain of losing Dawn. I helped him up and he walked out and got into a waiting cruiser. I couldn't make it outside yet, as I was crying so much I had to walk out to the side of the church to try and regain my composure. I looked up at the beautiful blue sky and said goodbye to Dawn before walking back to the squad car I arrived in.
The ride to Magnolia cemetery was quiet. I rode with Anita and "6" (Frank) Dawn's roommate. Anita was thankful that Jack was riding in one of the squad cars, as he was in no condition to be driving. We rolled on down the interstate while traffic was stopped along the way. There were a couple of cars on our side of the highway that kept up with the procession. It was strange to see people driving alongside us, as everyone else had respect enough to pull over until we passed. Some people really just don't get it. It was just as rude as this guy Dawn used to date that had called at breakfast the day before blaming Roy for "unplugging" her. There are always those who rub the rest of us the wrong way and get us all bent out of shape. Conversely, the love and joy Dawn spread throughout the groups she associated with helps make jerks out there a little easier to deal with.
Arriving at the cemetery, we were presented with another ceremony that really effected us all. I have never actually been to a "Military" style flag presentation ceremony. I was again brought to tears, as were many of the attendees. I will always remember the stern look and seriousness on the face of the color guard. You can tell they know how important their task is. As they presented Roy with the cornered flag, I saw a new man in Roy Tillman. He was no longer so happy-go-lucky as he has been since I first met him several years ago. He was now truly a man, walking a tough road of experiences. Roy has handled this all so well. Please pray for his continued strength. I noticed that the other older Tillmans seemed to have a different kind of quiet reserve to their demeanor, like this has happened to them many times before and they are more familiar with these kind of feelings due to the many others that have passed already.
Anita and Terry's daughters released a dove after the flag was presented to Roy. What a beautiful and uplifting end to this tragic event.
April 19th Visitation.
Thank's for all of the wonderful support and the high turnout at Dawn's family visitation. It surely made the family feel loved and respected. There has not been the usual "Tillman Tumult" that usually happens when they all get together. (We love all of you Tillmans, but you sure have the market cornered on "Drama" sometimes! We used to say Dawn invented A.D.D. (Another Dawn Drama) so we are used to it.) Everyone has shown such deep respect for Dawn and has quelled any irritations they may have experienced if they were rubbed the wrong way. I know this is such a difficcult and emotional time for all and we are all so easily upset and lash out at each other when we are unable to cope with such an aweful tragedy. I want to commend everyone for being so respectful and loving. We must remember this through the rest of this difficult time.
There were so many occasions when everyone stuck together they are hard to fit in here without fear of missing someone, so suffice to say thank you to all of you who have supported the family through this troubling time. Please keep the Tillman family in your prayers, as the healing has just begun.
I have already been experiencing 'moments', which I have been assured by a close friend, Rusty Renau, will be long lasting and not too easy sometimes. The best we can all do is lean on each other and come closer through this. I believe that is what Dawn would want. I have seen how many people she touched through the past few days events and I can't help but think that her love for all of us will be magnified through her bringing us all together.
Thank's to the Patriot Guard for their tireless support of fallen officers and military personnel. Your presence was an awesome tribute to the legacy left by those who have fallen in service to us all.
April 18th Family and Dawn's close friends continued the arduous task of making funeral arrangements, taking care of creditors and insurance issues, preparations for the next couple of days events. The family came up from Florida with barely more than the clothes on their backs, they were in such a hurry to get here they didn't pack much. Roy, Dawn's brother is having his suit shipped UPS here from Florida, but the rest of the group spent the day purchasing proper attire for the funeral and visitation. Everyone is exhausted and sleep is very restless for all. Keep them in your prayers and send assistance to the fund at Navy Federal.
April 17th
9:00PM The family was able to get an apartment from the fine folks at Pine Harbor Apartments, who loaned them their demo unit for an undetermined time.
7:10PM The family returned from ICU tearful and full of remorse. They had removed Dawn from the respirator. She lasted just a short time on her own and then passed relatively peacefully. The Organ Donor assessment team was unable to qualify her as a viable organ donor. We were hopeful she would be able to bring life to someone else.
UPDATE: 6:58PM Apr 17th...Her immediate family has gone in to remove life support..
Dawn has elected to be an organ donor. Hopefully her death can do some good in saving another life.
If you would like to send offerings or support, see the benevolence page...
6:30 Apr 17 -We are in waiting in the ICU waiting Room at Trident Medical Center in North Charleston, awaiting the sure death of Dawn Tillman.
Her injuries are so severe, it is not expected for her to live without life support...
Michael Edward Murray, Ironically lived in Goose Creek, right down the same street Dawn was living on. She was staying with friends on Amy Drive while renovations to her home in Bonneau were being completed. Dawn was on her way to Lowes to take care of issues related to the remodel when she was struck.
Michael Murray, a habitual offender, has a "rap sheet" 5 pages long. He has multiple driving under suspension convictions. Other items on his "rap sheet" criminal domestic violence, posession of LSD, posession of Cocaine and Failure to Appear for court with bench warrants being previously placed for his arrest.
The man evaded police after fleeing the scene of the accident by getting into a white pickup truck driven by another person, (which has not been identified to the public). He was told to "stay in the vehicle" by the driver of the van he clipped before hitting Dawn. This driver was going to church with his wife and a young child and stayed to direct traffic, while another driver passing by, a trauma nurse, took over administering first aid.
The gentleman who was first struck said to me at the hospital right after they admitted her, "it was the most gruesome sight I have ever seen. Her eye was all popped out and the "a" frame from the window was embedded in her head."
At this point her injuries were a broken ankle, broken collar bone, fractured cervix, fractured lumbar, broken knee, fractured skull and major damage to her face and a dislocated left eye.
As she clung to life, her wrist being held by the other motorist, Mr. Murray, yelled "I gotta get outta here", whereas, the other victim said, "No, You wait on the ambulance!". Mr Murray soon ran to a white pickup truck that pulled up and it drove him away.
Mr. Murray evaded capture for a while with his wife covering for him stating she did not know where he was. He eventually turned himself in due to his wife's pleadings and gave a statement that said he was not at the scene and had an alibi.
We now know, per Mr. Murray's testimony at his bond hearing, that he was there, yet he says now that "if I had known there was anyone hurt, I wouldn't have ran."
His statement is an offense to all those who have remained vigilant in praying that Dawn Tillman would pull through. It is an out and out lie, for there is no way he could have thought that there was no one hurt, as the gentleman (Paul Jay Weston) who told him to stay in his vehicle was administering first aid to Dawn at the time.
See Mr. Murray's Extensive Rap Sheet Here.
See Photos of the car Dawn was driving.
Obituary Services Info
About her Death Slideshow Pictures Crash Pictures Michael Murray's Rap Sheet Poetry
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