The late Douglas Tyrone Riley Jr. told The Manning Times in August 2004 that he regretted having to postpone his career with the Summerton Police Department due to health reasons.
Riley, who served as chief for five years before that time, ultimately never returned to the position. He died Friday, May 2, 2014, in the comfort of his home.
To his family, he was an affectionate husband and father. To his friends, he was known as “Buddy.” But to his fellow officers, he was one of the best cops that Clarendon County ever had.
“Douglas Riley was one of the best police officers in Clarendon County,” said Robert Glenn Shearer II on Friday. Shearer, who is currently deployed from Anderson to Washington, D.C. with the 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, said Riley took a chance on him when no one else would.
“In 2001, he was the only one that would give me a chance after I applied everywhere in the county,” Shearer said. “In 2003, I won Officer of the Year; in 2004, I won DUI Officer of the Year, and he gave speeches that I will never forget at both events.”
“He hired his officers based on the potential they had, not on who their family was or based on political favors,” Shearer said.
Summerton Police Chief Ray Perdue first came to work for Riley in 2002.
“He was as good a man as I ever worked for,” Perdue said on Monday. “I wouldn’t have asked for a better man to work for.”
Born March 26, 1951, in Clarendon County, Riley was a son of the late Douglas Riley Sr. and Elizabeth Tindal Riley. He was a faithful member of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, where he served with the trustee ministry.
Riley was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 11078, and a 1969 graduate of Manning Training School. He served two tours in Vietnam during his time in the U.S. Army.
Perdue began working for Riley as a patrol officer. He came to the top law enforcement spot in Summerton himself several years after Riley’s step away for medical reasons ultimately led to retirement.
“I’d say him leaving the department was sad for all of us that worked with him,” Perdue said. “He was just an all-around good person to be around.”
Shearer said Riley was the type of boss who took up with his employees outside of the station.
“I remember the first time I went crappy fishing with him at Jack’s Creek,” Shearer said. “We caught the limit and had a huge fish fry at his brother-in-law, Sylvester’s house. He was always inviting us to do things with him and his family. He never made you feel left out. He treated everyone the way they should be treated, and loved his community and was proud to be their chief.”
Shearer, who serves as an investigator with the Williamsburg County Sheriff’s Office when not deployed with the National Guard, said Riley’s military background made him an obvious mentor for the younger officer.
“I still would call him from time to time after he retired for advice, and he always new what to say to make any tough situation OK,” Shearer said.
Shearer and Perdue said Riley was instrumental in many community projects throughout Summerton, including helping victims’ advocates and organizing the department’s turkey give-away to low-income families for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“Chief Riley would come out no matter what time of night if one of his officers or their families were hurt, or there was a major incident at work,” Shearer said. “He was the greatest man I ever knew and a true friend.”
Survivors besides his loving wife, Rosalyn Black Riley, of the home include two daughters, Crystal R. Gamble of Manning and Yvette R. (Chris) Harris of Marina, Calif.; a son, Michael McConico of Manning; four grandchildren, Colette Riley of Marina and Jazmine Riley, Anajah Gamble and Michael McConico Jr., all of Manning; four sisters, Lottie Riley of New Jersey and Annie (Sylvester) Samuel, Lynn Miller and Margie (John) Vaughn, all of Paxville; a brother, Eddie (Joyce) Riley of Paxville; two sisters-in-law, Darlene and Valerie Black; two brothers-in-law, Michael and Glen Black; and a number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 7, 2014, at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, with the Rev. Clifford Gaymon, pastor, officiating, assisted by the Revs. Robert Gibson and Richard Dyson and Evangelist Malony Black.
Burial followed in the Calvary-Zion Hill Cemetery. The family received friends at the home, 1082 Riley Road in Manning.
Services were entrusted to Community Funeral Home of Sumter.
