Greenville Comes Together to Honor Lives Lost
In Greenville, families and law enforcement gathered on a chilly Tuesday night for a heartfelt ceremony that has become a cherished tradition over the past 23 years. The annual tree lighting event at the Greenville Convention Center drew in over 100 attendees, all there to remember loved ones who tragically lost their lives to homicide and traffic accidents.
An Evening of Remembrance
The emotional gathering, organized by the Greenville Police, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Carolina Highway Patrol, creates a supportive environment for families. Families hang ornaments to honor their loved ones, turning the tree into a beautiful display of memories and love. As the tree lights up, a shared silence falls over the crowd, allowing each person to remember their loved ones in their own special way.
Greenville City Police Chief J.H. Thompson spoke about the healing nature of the event. “A lot of the family members meet each other here, and so they’re able to console each other,” said Thompson. “Everybody in that room has been through the same exact thing. They’ve lost a loved one that was important to them, and so it really helps connect people and unify us.”
Heartbreaking Statistics
This year has been particularly difficult for the community, with 25 homicides reported thus far, according to Lieutenant Ryan Flood of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Department. Additionally, the South Carolina Highway Patrol noted that 905 traffic-related deaths have occurred in the county, a figure that weighs heavily on those attending these ceremonies. In comparison, the previous year saw 972 traffic deaths, posing a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by families affected by such tragedies.
Personal Stories of Grief
Among the attendees was April Fagan from Traveler’s Rest, who has made it a point to attend the ceremony every year since her son Christian Batton, just 23, was killed in a hit-and-run back in 2017. With a heavy heart, she expressed the complexities of grief: “I dread this every year, but I’ll be here every year as long as I’m alive. As almost eight years go by and still no justice, that adds to the pain.” She believes that the event helps keep her son Christian’s memory alive, even in the face of overwhelming loss. “He would want us to know that he’s okay and that he’s happy in paradise,” Fagan added.
Also present were Consuelo and Andre Dunbar, who lost their son, Andre Dunbar II, to a fatal shooting during a robbery in 2020. The couple described their mixed feelings about attending the ceremony. While it brings some comfort, it also serves as a poignant reminder of the void left by their son. “It’s a good feeling, but it brings back the memories of your loved one not being here,” Consuelo admitted.
As the ceremony unfolded, Andre Dunbar found himself overwhelmed with emotion. Holding the ornament dedicated to his son, he shared, “When the tree lights up, I get teary-eyed, and I try to stay strong, but once that light comes on, all I can think of is ‘I got to see my son on a damn tree.'” The Dunbars echoed the sentiment shared by many parents that special holidays and their son’s death date only amplify the pain. “Our son was robbed from us. We didn’t get to see how successful he could be,” Consuelo lamented.
A Celebration of Connection
As the night drew to a close, Chief Thompson reminded everyone about the importance of these gatherings. “They’re all victims. Whether it was a homicide or a traffic death, each fatality means the same despite how the lives were lost. They were all taken from us much too soon.”
The ceremony serves not only to honor those whose lives were lost but also to provide a source of comfort and unity for those grieving. In the face of such tragic loss, the community of Greenville showcased its strength, marking another year of memories that will stay in their hearts forever.
