Waxhaw NC police officer dies after training injury www.privateofficer.com
Waxhaw NC March 28 2010
A silent procession of police cruisers from across Union County filed into the parking lot at Love Baptist Church Saturday.
Family and friends gathered to say their final goodbyes to 37-year-old Richard Belk.
“He was very strong, but still very gentle, still very concerned about everyone else,” said family friend, Blanche Wimberly. “He was just a wonderful person.”
Belk was an officer with the Waxhaw Police Department. He was injured last year during a training run and died Wednesday morning.
“No more suffering, no more trips to the doctor’s office, not another pill to take, another surgery to face,” said the Rev. Don Thompson. “Hallelujah, we are here to celebrate. This is how Richard would have wanted it.”
The church celebrated Belk’s life; sharing memories like how the officer always had a Bible with him in his police car. And how a day never went by when Belk’s shoes weren’t shined clean.
Fellow officers filled the church for the emotional goodbye, where a solo bagpiper escorted Belk to his final resting place. He also received a graveside gun salute.
In lieu of flowers, family asked that memorial contributions be made directly to the Richard Payne Belk family.
