The Birmingham News
Birmingham, Ala. (AP) -- Harley Chisholm III, one of three Birmingham officers shot to death on duty, was remembered Tuesday as a dedicated police officer who well deserved his nickname of RoboCop.
Chisholm’s supervisor, Sgt. Jesse Straiton spoke at his fallen colleague’s funeral at First Baptist Church in Moody, saying the tough, decorated ex-Marine had a soft side too.
“Harley knew when to police from the heart and when to police by the book,” Straiton said. “That’s the difference.”
“He was a hard-charger, but he had a heart as big as a mountain,” West Precinct commander Capt. Hollis Crutchfield said.
Chisholm 40, Carlos Owen, 58, and Charles Robert Bennett, 33, were shot to death Thursday while trying to serve a warrant at a home in Ensley that neighbors say was known as a drug den.
Nathaniel Woods, 27, and Kerry Marquise Spencer, 24, each appeared in court for the first time Monday on charges of capital murder in the three deaths. They’re also charged with attempted murder for allegedly firing on a fourth officer who wasn’t hurt.
Owen and Bennett were buried Monday. A citywide memorial service for the officers was planned for Wednesday afternoon at the Alabama State Fairgrounds.
A thick column of mourners, including hundreds of police officers, packed the church Tuesday and three helicopters roared over in tribute for Chisholm. Nearby traffic stopped. Officers on horseback saluted. A huge American flag fluttered in the wind.
Chisholm joined the Birmingham Police Department in 1998 after serving eight years in the United States Marine Corps, where he earned the rank of sergeant. He was named Officer of the Year for the West Precinct in 2001, and was nominated for Police Officer of the Year in 2001 and 2002. Becoming a police officer was a lifelong dream.
On Thursday, Birmingham Police Chief Annetta Nunn said, Chisholm responded to his highest call of duty.
“Just like the Marine that was always in him,” she said, “He said ‘yes sir,’ and stepped over to serve the Lord.”