'To the heavens and back'Slain man’s wife says she lost half of herself By Nadine Parks (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Friday, August 8, 2008
Tabatha Compton walked into the hospital room early Wednesday and braced herself. 
provided by Tabatha Compton Colleton County sheriff's Deputy Dennis Compton and his wife Tabatha hug during their wedding December 21, 2006. She ran her fingers through her husband's hair, as she had done so many times when he was alive. She kissed him on the cheek and the forehead, and then she bent down and whispered in his ear. "I love you," she said. Colleton County sheriff's Deputy Dennis Carl Compton was on a call for a burglar alarm at 3 a.m. Wednesday in Smoaks. Someone shot him in the stomach with a shotgun, his wife said. He gave his life for others, she said. "He's my hero." Their lives together had only just begun. He was 39. She was 26. He finally had realized a long-standing dream to work in law enforcement. They got married and built a new home off U.S. Highway 15 between Walterboro and Canadys. A sign erected near their house reads, "DJ Spikey D, God Bless You." Before he was a deputy, Compton worked as a disc jockey at local nightclubs. That's how he met his wife in 2006, mixing music at Birdie's & Sharon's in Walterboro. To help the family-- Donations may be made to the Dennis Compton Family Fund at the Enterprise Bank of South Carolina. -- Palmetto Cops Inc., a nonprofit, is selling memorial T-shirts to benefit the family. For more information or to place an order, go to palmettocops.com/give. Shirts are $15 each and all proceeds will go directly to the family. He sent her a drink, and she went over to thank him. Soon, they were inseparable. "We just completely fell in love," she said. "We did everything together." They were married Dec. 21, 2006, and stayed in an apartment in Walterboro while their house was under construction. Compton said her children, Kaylee Bowen, 8, and Jason Bowen, 6, loved him like a father, though he was their stepfather. She said the deputy also leaves behind two children of his own: Tabitha Compton, 16, and Jayden, 3. On Tuesday night, the couple shared a meal of pot roast and potatoes before he put on his uniform and headed out to work the night shift. His wife walked him to the door, gave him a kiss and told him to be safe, she said. She was awakened in the wee hours of the morning. A chaplain and a deputy's wife were knocking. Compton said that when she opened the door and saw them, she already knew what it meant. 
Colleton County sheriff's Deputy Dennis Compton She went to the hospital to see his lifeless body. Later in the day, the family sat the children down and broke the news to them. Everything since then has been a blur, she said. The phone and door bell haven't stopped ringing. People have brought food and flowers, well-wishes and plenty of hugs, she said. On Thursday, Compton said she was trying to build up her courage for her husband's wake tonight in Walterboro. She said the services are open to the public so that the many people he knew can pay their respects. "He liked to fish and hunt and play his guitar. He had played in several rock bands in his life. He called himself 'The Entertainer.' He could cheer anybody up. His personality was so bright and cheerful," she said. "I don't know what I'm going to do without him," she said. "I feel like I lost half of me. He was the love of my life." After the funeral services Saturday, Dennis Compton will be cremated, his wife said. Half of his ashes will be buried between his father and brother in Virginia near his birthplace. His wife will keep the remaining half. "When I go, we'll be put together," Tabatha Compton said. "We always told each other that we loved each other to the stars and back. Now it's to the heavens and back." Reach Nadine Parks at nparks@postandcourier.com or 937-5573. |
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Comments
This article has 26 comment(s)
Posted by lillycollette on August 8, 2008 at 4:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My condolences to the widow, children, family and step-children of Deputy Dennis Compton.
Posted by Lois_Lane on August 8, 2008 at 6:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
God bless the men and women who stand up everyday and risk their lives for us. Peace be with you, Officer Compton. I pray for the family.
Posted by wonderdog on August 8, 2008 at 7:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I pray for the Compton family and that all our emergency personnel come home safely at the end of their shifts.
Thank you, Deputy Compton, for your service to others.
Posted by lucy_fan on August 8, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My deepest, heartfelt sympathy for his widow and children. How truly sad. I just dont have adequate words to express my sympathy.
Posted by nuckie71 on August 8, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They need to let the family take care of the killer's, why should they be put in prison ,and the tax payers feed them etc. thats not justice WAKE UP AMERICA
Posted by grannyofsix on August 8, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is one of those times I want to see revenge. God forgive me but to see a young family torn apart by a piece of crap. Makes me so mad, and to have it happen almost in your back yard. I hope God has a good place for such a wonderful man. My prayers are with the family at this time. I would like to know is the death penalty still out no matter what for cop killers.
Posted by tellthetruth on August 8, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you Compton family for allowing us to have known your husband. Please take care of this family who has given the ultimate sacrifice. Stop letting these crimminals back on the street and to the police, shoot first ask question later.
Posted by MsPiggy on August 8, 2008 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How ironic that his wife's name was Tabatha and his daughter's name was Tabitha.
How sad! They were only married 2 years, not even. :-(
Posted by grannyofsix on August 8, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas1776 The T-shirts are really beautiful too have you seen them I ordered mine.
Posted by RTC on August 8, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, this article puts a huge lump in my throat.
I feel so terribly sorry for these families whose lives have been torn apart.
I truly pray that they may all be able to heal and go on with their lives one day. This is such a shattering experience for anyone to have to go through.
Posted by coolfreaknbeans on August 8, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a terrible loss.By all accounts the community has lost a dedicated officer.A young wife has lost her loving husband and children are now without a father.My heart feels so heavy.God Bless you and your family,may strength be with you.It's so hard to be the spouse of an officer.You often wonder if the meal or kiss you share as you say goodbye will be the last.
Posted by moonpie on August 8, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well put granny and fellow posters.
It just breaks your heart to see a family suffer like this for something so senseless. Must be something to that commandment "thou shall not kill". Think God knew what suffering a killing would bring? An entire community is suffering and most didn't even know him. We just read about his family and we know irregardless, there is pain.
God bless this family.
Posted by reality_woman on August 8, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
With the sincerest heart felt sympathy to this family. What a tradgic loss of life. I hope that the person or persons responsible for this are found and given a punishment that is fitting for this terrible crime.
God Bless Deputy Compton, and his family.
Posted by ChasCarolinaGirl on August 8, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is the most heart wrenching story that Ive read in a while. I am so sorry to Mrs Compton and I hate that you and your family had to go through this. It is really sad.
God bless the family and friends.
Posted by ifyousayso on August 8, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My thoughts and prayers are with this family. I didnt know him and yet I my heart aches for this family.
Posted by cindy on August 8, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We are so very sorry for The Compton Families loss. I pray they get this Murderer soon. Officer's of the Law put their lives on the line everyday and I know as a Mom of one I am scared everytime I know Our Son is out their doing His job too keep all of the citizens safe. We are praying for You Mrs. Compton and all Your Family and Friends.
Posted by jrodgers2 on August 8, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My thoughts and prayers are with the Compton family, the Colleton County Sheriffs Dept., and friends. May God give the officers investigating this murder the strength and resources to catch the person/persons responsible for this senseless crime. And may God be with the family of this murderer when they are caught.
Posted by zoomru on August 8, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is at this time that a Mental Knee is taken to call to the Spirit of Officer Compton.........
Spirit Compton....our relation was never personal nor eye to eye. OUR bond was by the very VOW and OATH you took to uphold the dignity of the RULE of LAW. It is that pledge and duty that we as citizens are forever grateful. This wonderful but at times painfully ungrateful world promises nothing; but it is clearly evident by the words spoken by your wife and daughters name, that you knew without a doubt what life was worth living FOR !! "Rest in Peace" somehow does not fit the Spirit by which you lead your life; SO.."REST in LIFE"!! May God bless you, your family and the commitment to DUTY that you have bestowed upon this world.
Posted by sadjamesislandgirl on August 8, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
people just dont relize what these officers do for us every day. my heart goes out to the family and all of his friends and co workers.
i hope they find who is did this and throw the book at them.
Posted by coastal1 on August 8, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Heartbreaking. Peace to the family.
Posted by southerngirl45 on August 8, 2008 at 8:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a beautiful and sad love story!My heart aches for this family and I pray they find the scum responsible for this unnecesary killing!What a complete lowlife!Deputy Compton has such a beautiful smile and he just looks like he could light up a room! Once again my sincere condolences to the Compton family and "May God bless"
Southerngirl
Posted by farfallaspeaks on August 8, 2008 at 9:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wish the newspaper mentioned the circumstances of the incident. Was this story published before? Haven't been reading the paper recently.
Posted by SCPDBLUE on August 8, 2008 at 10:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Law enforcement family has lost another brother today. Remember what I said. Police give more than just tickets. Detective Phillips GOD has called you home to be with Deputy Compton and our tri county four.Rest in peace my brother.
PoliceLink and the Officer Down Memorial Page regret to inform you of the following line of duty death:
Detective Michael Smith Phillips
Virginia Beach Police Department, Virginia
End of Watch: Thursday, August 7, 2008
Visit Memorial
Expanded news coverage of officer down incidents is available at PoliceLink.com
Please visit the Officer Down Memorial Page to pay your respects and to remember all fallen heroes.
Posted by greeneyes on August 8, 2008 at 10:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
very heartbreaking..so many people affected by one senseless act of a thug. I hope the person responsible is reminded everyday of the pain they have caused so many..Its a shame people have no respect for cops and just look at them as that..a man in uniform..they dont see the life behind that..most are family men and women and are very much loved and they are risking their lives to protect others...God Bless the Family and everyone this has affected.
Posted by MRSCVS on August 10, 2008 at 12:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh my goodness this is such a sad occasion
.
My heart aches for the family and friends of Officer Compton.
What an amazing man he must have been to be loved the way he was.
Their marriage just begun and to have something like this happen just makes me so DAMN ANGRY.
I will keep this family in constant prayer...
Officer Compton you will never be forgotten!
To the POS(s) that did this your day will surely come and when it does I certainly hope and pray that justice is quick and harsh...
Posted by NOVAlisa on August 12, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I keep reading this article that was written on August 08,2008 in regards to our dear friend who has now passed on.It reads in part "After the funeral services Saturday, Dennis Compton will be cremated, his wife said."
So can someone or may his wife TAbitha answer to me as to "WHY" us friends and family up here in virginia are not able to say our final goodbye and give respect to Dennis and his wishes.I know that it is a trying time for his wife whom he was married for a little over a year.However it has been an unbearable reality to his lifelong friends and family here in Virginia.So I am asking that someone talk some sense to his wife and highly recommend and suggest that it would only be the right thing to give his remaining ashes to his greiving mom (she did give him life) so she may finally put her son to rest.(TABITHA IF YOU READ THIS JUST DO THE RIGHT THING AND GIVE DENNIS HIS LAST WISH CAUSE IN END YOU CAN HONESTLY SAY YOU HONORED YOUR HUSBAND AND MOST IMPORTANTLY YOURSELF)
LASTLY,MAY I SUGGEST WITHOUT ANY STRIFE OR STRUGGLE.
I will continue to pray for the Compton family that they will be able to grant Dennis' wishes.
May we all continue to be blessed with one more day.
L.Phelps
Loving friend of Dennis' SOUL....
Fredericksburg, Virginia