Greenwood police dog adapting to retirement

May 23, 2005

By WALLACE McBRIDE
Index-Journal senior staff writer

Arthritis has ended the career of one of Greenwood’s most flamboyant police officers.
With just eight years on the job, it might seem a little premature to discuss retirement. But a decade spent in the back seat of a green-and-white patrol car translates roughly to 32 years for a dog.
Born in Holland, Coates came to Greenwood in 1997 fresh from training at the Southern Police Canine facility in North Carolina. He brought with him a dozen Dutch training commands and was christened by his first handler with the name of a slain police officer.
His career was spent primarily in drug interdiction and evidence searches, sniffing out everything from narcotics to weapons to drug money that was used to purchase another police dog.
Coates’ skills have been loaned to just about every law enforcement agency in the Lakelands during the past 10 years. He was even invited to assist the FBI during an evidence search in the Upstate, Capt. Sonny Cox said.
All of that came to an end a few months ago when arthritis began to hinder Coates’ movement. It’s serious enough to require pain medication, so the department decided to take him out of rotation.
“Retirement,” though, isn’t one of the words in the dog’s roster of commands. He still looks for drugs pretty much wherever he goes, Cox said.
“When he leaves a car, it’s time to go to work,” Cox said. “He doesn’t care much for laying still. At home he’s really relaxed. He sleeps at night now, that’s one thing he’s adjusted well to.”
But there’s no risk of Coates initiating a vehicle search over the smell of a Big Mac, Cox said, because the dog doesn’t know what junk food is.
“He’s never had human food, only dog food,” he said. “I don’t plan on changing that.”
Cox asked to keep Coates when it was learned that the dog was being retired. While Coates won’t be spending any more time riding in the back of patrol cars, Cox said he wants to maintain as much of the animal’s lifestyle as he can.
“If somebody took away my badge and sat me on a couch, I’d die,” Cox said. “I don’t want that to happen to him.”
The only pay a police canine receives come as toys, which resemble nothing more than well-chewed canvas bags the size of a paperback novel. Most people wouldn’t give the item a second look, but Cox said these bags are the center of Coates’ world.
When he gets one, he knows he’s done something right, Cox said.
While Coates is enjoying his retirement, the department’s other K-9, Nero, is still very active. Both are Belgian Malinois, though Nero outweighs his colleague by almost 30 pounds.
Both dogs were purchased using money confiscated during narcotics investigations. Coates, alone, cost local drug dealers $6,000.
“I had a special bond with Coates since the department got him in 1997,” he said. “It meant a lot to me to be awarded him. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’d give his life for me.”

Wallace McBride covers Greenwood and general assignments in the Lakelands. He can be reached at 223-1812, or: wmcbride@indexjournal.com

Foes finally together

Emerald’s Lovvorn, Abbeville’s Hill to play in all-star series

May 23, 2005

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer

Justin Lovvorn and Keith Hill have spent many baseball games sitting in opposing dugouts, taking part in one of the Lakelands better high school rivalries.
But now the two seniors can end their high school careers on the same team.
Lovvorn, a center fielder/pitcher at Emerald, and Hill, the catcher at Abbeville, were selected to the North AAA/AA All-Star squad.
“It’s a great rivalry, but it’s good to go out and play alongside someone as good as he is,” Hill said. “This is something that I’ve worked for all my life. I’m really excited about playing.”
Lovvorn — who was named to the AA all-state team — and Hill will take time out of their busy summer baseball schedules to play in the North-South All-Star series, June 11-12 at Coastal Carolina University in Conway.
Hill, who will play for an AAU team out of Charleston, became the 12th Panther to make the all-star squad and the first since Tony Graham was chosen in 2003.
Lovvorn, who will be in his second season with the Greenwood American Legion Post 20 team, is the third Emerald player and the second in a row to make the squad. Will Gary played last season.
Emerald coach Chad Evans wasn’t surprised when he was notified about Lovvorn’s selection.
Lovvorn, a five-year varsity player, ranked either first or second in six key statistical categories on a team that finished the 2005 season as the AA Upper State champions.
Lovvorn led the team with eight game-winning RBIs, and was second on the squad in hits (38), runs (29), RBIs (33), doubles (7) and home runs (3).
“He’s been a tremendous part of our program for five years,” said Evans, who was named the Class AA coach of the year. “He’s a quiet guy, but he gets the job done. We’ve known all along that he would be an important player for us. We’ve known since he was in eighth-grade.”
But when Evans let Lovvorn know about being named to the all-star team, the senior was in disbelief.
“I really don’t know how I made it,” Lovvorn said. “I was real surprised when coach called me and told me. I really had no clue I’d even be considered for it.
“This year has been my best one here, no doubt.”
Likewise, Hill continued to be a team leader for the Panthers. The All-Region I-AA catcher moved from the three-spot in the lineup - where he hit last season - to leadoff, giving him more chances to hit and forcing opposing pitchers to pitch to him.
Hill led Abbeville batters in runs (24), walks (14) and stolen bases (12), while placing second on the team in batting average (.325), hits (26), RBIs (16), doubles (5) and triples (2). Hill’s most astounding hitting statistic is that he only struck out twice in almost 100 plate appearances.
But Hill’s strongest point may not be as much his work at the plate but behind it. With his strong arm, he’s been an important asset to the Panthers’ pitching staff.
“He’s certainly been a good player for us,” Abbeville coach Mark Smith said. “One of a long line of good catchers. He played for us as a freshman and started for the last three years. His plus side is probably his arm, but I’ve seen him develop at the plate as well.
“He does the little things, and sometimes you get to where you can take them for granted as a coach.”
For some seniors, the all-star weekend proves to be crucial in their hope of continuing their baseball careers. Hill and Lovvorn, however, have already made their college selections.
Hill signed his letter of intent to play at the College of Charleston before the start of the season, while Lovvorn will join former Post 20 teammates Graham and Clint Burden at Anderson College.
But the early commitment isn’t necessarily keeping Hill from going out there with something to prove.
“I hope my coaches will be there,” Hill said. “So, maybe I’ll get a chance to show them I’m good enough to go there. I’ve been trying to do that all year, but this is on a big stage. It will be a better opportunity to show I’m worthy of the scholarship.”
Lovvorn has slightly a different agenda in mind.
“I really just want to go out there and represent my school,” he said. “And I’d like to go out there and just have a little fun.”

Ron Cox covers prep sports for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: ronc@indexjournal.com

Opinion

Wilson Henderson helped keep Greenwood growing

May 23, 2005

Public service, they say, is a noble pursuit. It is, indeed, but so often public service goes unrecognized. That’s particularly true when a good and faithful public servant is out of the public eye for a while.
That happened to Wilson Henderson. He was a member of the Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works for 31 years. Twenty-one of those he served as chairman. He also served as secretary-treasurer of the Greenwood Metropolitan Commission.
But Mr. Henderson left CPW in 1985 to live out his life in retirement. That’s two decades of being away from public view.

DURING HIS TIME AT CPW, though, Mr. Henderson, who died Wednesday at age 93, had a positive effect on the welfare of all people hereabouts. His leadership role in positioning CPW to meet the needs of a growing community is a legacy that will live on long after the rest of us are gone. And the facilities that serve the community will keep us ready to meet the challenges of a competitive world. They are there because Wilson Henderson and others like him did what they had to do to keep Greenwood ahead of the game.
Greenwood has been fortunate to have men and women who, like Mr. Henderson, are willing to make public service something we can all be proud of. He was a quiet man, but he got things done. Public service personified ….. that was Wilson Henderson. That speaks volumes.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

GREENWOOD, SC — Elizabeth (Betty) Homola Hukill, wife of Edmund L. Hukill for 54 years, passed away on May 20, 2005 at Self Regional Health Care after a brief illness. Mrs. Hukill was born in 1920 in Hopkins, Minn. She received her Degree of Nursing from the University of Minnesota in 1942, and joined the Army as a Second Lieutenant.
She served in the European theater from June, 1943, until the end of WWII. Her nursing group landed in Normandy on D-6. She was a resident of Greenwood for the past 27 years and was a member of the Our Lady of Lourdes Church. She was active in the Unit One Garden Club, the Atheneum Study Club, and the Ladies Golf Association of Greenwood Country Club. Surviving in addition to her husband are her sister, Agnes Cartwright of Cheyene, Wy., and numerous neices and nephews. A memorial service is planned for 4:00 P.M. Monday, May 23, 2005, at Asbury Hall located on the Wesley Commons Campus. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Greenwood Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or HospiceCare of the Piedmont, Inc.
Cremation Society of South Carolina
PAID OBITUARY

Joseph ‘Joe’ Leon Savitz Jr.

ABBEVILLE — Joseph “Joe” Leon Savitz Jr., 74, of 206 Millwood Rd., husband of Lucy C. Savitz, died Sunday, May 22, 2005 at his residence. He was born in Holly Hill, SC to the late Joseph L. and Catherine Faulkner Savitz Sr.
Mr. Savitz was a graduate of Abbeville High School, Class of 1947, he was a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Pharmacy, and after graduation he entered the United States Navy and attended Officer Cadet School in Newport, RI. Mr. Savitz was the previous owner of Savitz Drug Store in Abbeville where he served as a Pharmacist for over 50 years, Mr. Savitz and his brother Allen founded the Sareco Cable Company (known now as Charter Cable Company), which was one of the first cable T.V. companies in S.C. as well as the United States. He was one of the founding members of The Bank of Abbeville and just recently retired from the Board of Directors of Capital Bank. Mr. Savitz also had a very distinguished career as Mayor of Abbeville for 14 years, which ended in 2000. Mr. Savitz will be remembered for his love of Abbeville and his support of the community and many organizations and most importantly his love for his children, grandchildren, his brother and his wife of 51 years. Mr. Savitz is survived by his wife of the home, his three sons, William “Bill” Savitz of Abbeville, Joseph L. “Joey” Savitz III of Columbia, and Paul Savitz of Greer, a brother, Allen Savitz of Columbia, and three grandchildren, Alexandra Catherine Savitz, Payton Joseph Savitz and Isabelle Louise Savitz.
The family will receive friends 6:00PM-8:00PM Monday, May 23, 2005 at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be 11:00am Tuesday, May 24, 2005 at Main Street United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Long Cane Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent in memory of Mr. Savitz to the Main Street United Methodist Church, PO Box 656 Abbeville, SC 29620. Online condolences may be sent to the Savitz family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com
HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, of Abbeville is assisting the Savitz family.
PAID OBITUARY

Letha B. Wilkie

WATERLOO, S.C. — Letha Mae Barton Wilkie, 70, widow of James L. “Jim” Wilkie of 4432 Riverfork Road, died May 21, 2005 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born in Greenville County, a daughter of the late Haskell Grady Barton and the late James Paul and Oda Mae Lyda Young. She was a member of Bethlehem Union Church and the Senior Adult Sunday School Class.
She was the precious mother of two daughters, Wanda Wilkie Vanderhoof and Joyce Wilkie Merritt, both of Waterloo. Also surviving are a brother, Grady Young, Allendale, a sister, Loretta Landers, Waterloo, five grandchildren, Christi Wilkie Prather, Jessica Glasby Wrenn, Craig, Jamie and Beth Merritt and two great-grandchildren, Halen Wilkie and Kaisen Merritt.
Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 3 PM at Bethlehem Union Church with Rev. Bobby Davis and Rev. Pat Patterson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Marco Young, Donnie Young, Len Young, Dick Winburn, Frankie Thomas and Jimmy Canfield. The honorary escort will be members of Helping Hands of Bethlehem Union Church and the Senior Adult Sunday School Class and Steven Wilkie and Danny Morrow.
The family is at the home of a daughter, Wanda Vanderhoof, 4408 Riverfork Road and will receive friends at Parker-White Funeral Home, Monday 7-9 PM.
The body will be placed in the church Monday at 2 PM.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, S.C. 29646 or to the American Cancer Society.
Parker-White Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

James Wright

ABBEVILLE, SC — James P. ‘Jim’ Wright. 90, a resident of Oakmont Nursing Home, Greenville, SC, formerly of Marshall Ave. Abbeville, SC widower of Frances Herlong Wright, died Sunday May 22, 2005 at the nursing home.
Born in Seneca, SC April 21, 1915, he was a son of the late James R. and Cornelia Pickett Wright.
He owned and operated “The Wright Jewelry Store” in Abbeville, SC for 44 years. He was a member and deacon of First Presbyterian Church, Abbeville, SC. In 1995 he moved to Taylors, SC where he resided until his death. He was a member of McCarter Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC.
Survivors are: 1-son James David Wright and his wife, Martha, of Taylors, SC; 1-daughter-Martha Wright DeWitt and her husband, Bob E. DeWitt, of Kernersville, NC, a sister, Lucile Wright of Greenville, SC, grandchildren, J. Mark Wright and his wife Andrea, of Greenville, SC, Greg M. Wright and his wife Lyn of Simpsonville, SC, Todd R. Wright and his wife, Lori, of Taylors, SC, Stephen W. DeWitt, of Washington, DC, Andrew E. DeWitt of San Francisco, CA; and Karen DeWitt Fulp and her husband, Pat, of Walkertown, NC. great-grandchildren, Ashley, Matt and Emily Wright and Luke Fulp.
He was preceded in death by Eleanor Wright.
The body is at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home.
Graveside services will be conducted Tuesday May 24, 2005 at 11:00 AM from Forest Lawn Memory Gardens with the Rev.’s Bob DeWitt and Darrel Fetzer officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to McCarter Presbyterian Church, 2 Pelham Rd., Greenville, SC.
THE CHANDLER-JACKSON FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
PAID OBITUARY