CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Former Myrtle Beach Police Chief Sam Killman has died after a long fight with cancer. He was 71.
Killman, who most recently resided in Wilmington, worked in law enforcement for 35 years, most of them in Charlotte, where he rose through the department's ranks from patrol officer to its top leader. He spent three decades working for the Charlotte police force, starting as a patrol officer in 1961.
He was named Charlotte's chief in 1985, and held the post for five years. City officials lauded him as fair, and someone who earned the community's respect.
"He wasn't afraid to try new stuff," said retired Charlotte police Capt. Andy Martin, who once worked as a patrolman with Killman.
After leaving the department, Killman spent a year working for Belk department stores, where he was in charge of security for stores in 14 states. He returned to police work in 1992 to lead the Myrtle Beach department.
Killman told The Sun News upon his retirement in 1997 that his biggest challenge had been "trying to balance the diversity of the city as it grows and changes, and try to keep the quality of life the way our citizens and tourists want it to be." Under his leadership, the Myrtle Beach police department grew by 50 percent, created units on bikes and in schools, and expanded the beach patrol.
Killman and his wife, Helen, moved to Wilmington for retirement. He's described as someone who "enjoyed life full tilt" and his obituary said he was an avid runner, golfer and boater. He also loved to read, play the acoustic guitar and was a New York Yankees and Carolina Panthers fan.
Survivors include his wife, sons Sam Killman of Wilmington and Jack Killman of Matthews; daughter Sharon Drennan of Charlotte and four grandchildren. He was buried Friday.
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