Lewis Donald Tapscott

Funeral for Lewis Donald Tapscott, 75, of Decatur will be Tuesday, May 18, 2010, at 2 p.m. at Roselawn Funeral Home with the Reverend Sandra Lock-Godbey officiating. Burial will be in Shoal Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be tonight from 6 to 8 at the funeral home.

Mr. Tapscott, who died Saturday, May 15, 2010, at Decatur General Hospital, was born September 29, 1934, in Morgan County to Guy Thomas Tapscott and Clara Hester Bean Tapscott. He was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Carolyn Jane Dutton Tapscott. Mr. Tapscott retired after 35 years of service as a lieutenant with the Decatur City Police Department. A timeline of his life highlights the following: 1952, Graduate of Morgan County High School; 1957 - 1960, Army Military Specialist 4th Class; 1960 - 1963, Alabama National Buck Sergeant; 1964, Graduate of Alabama State Police Academy; 1969 - 1970, Calhoun Community College Associate Police Science Degree; 1974, North East Alabama Police Academy; 1964; member of Parkview Baptist Church; 1973 - 1990, Fraternal Order of Police #46, 30 years active member Alabama Police Officer Association, 14 years retired member, founding member of Decatur Dixie Girls Softball, served as coach, manager and board member, awarded humanitarian award in 1982; 1984 - present, Rising Sun Masonic Lodge, York Rite Masonic Bodies, served in all offices; 1985, Cahaba Temple Shrine, potentate aid; 1985 - present, Decatur Shrine Club, served in several officer positions; 1987- 1991, River City Mobile Unit; 1985, Elks Lodge #655 Member; 1988, Disabled American Veterans; 1960 - 1995, City of Decatur policeman - promoted to sergeant in 1965, promoted to lieutenant in 1968; 1972 and 1991, Police Officer of the Year; 1970, '71, '73, '74, '75, '76, Police Officer of the Year runner up; 1972, City of Decatur Distinguished Service award.

In his own words the following states what being a police officer meant to Mr. Tapscott, "I have been on the job for a period exceeding thirty years and better than two-thirds of that time have been in supervision or command of a group of police officers. I have tried to be and teach the many younger officers to be professional and function in the capacity as police officers, to help and give assistance to the public in solving their problems. The profession of a police officer is based on honesty, respect and trust. They should strive to be the officer that the public expects."

Mr. Tapscott is survived by two daughters, Dana Carol Tapscott Keenum (Terry "Chuck") and Domna Kay Tapscott Riddle, all of Decatur; one aunt, Julia "Fox" Bean Byford of Hartselle; and three grandchildren, Heather Danielle Riddle, Chase Robin Keenum and Carlie Jane Keenum, all of Decatur.

Pallbears will be Anthony "Dumpy" Wells, Jeff Dutton, Shane Dutton, Joey Jenkins, Mark Cook and Guy Mack "Chiney" Cook III. Honorary pallbearers will be Master Masons of Rising Sun Lodge #29.