OBITUARY AND DONATIONS

​

Charles “Charlie” Herring was born on March 22, 1968, in Jefferson City, Missouri. In 1970 his family relocated to Williston, Florida, where he and his two sisters were raised.

​

Charlie enjoyed sports from a young age, beginning as a youth football team captain when he was just eight years old. Charlie attended Williston High School and played for the baseball team his freshman year. He also played football and became a team captain his senior year. By the time he graduated, Charlie set two weightlifting conference records. He received a scholarship to attend Heidelberg University in Ohio, where he played college football until he was injured during his freshman year.

​

After leaving college, Charlie enlisted with the United States Army in 1988. While proudly serving our country, he was a highly decorated serviceman, earning the Marksmanship Badge for the M-16 rifle and the National Defense Service Medal among many others. After four years of honorable service, Charlie returned to studies and earned an Associate of Arts degree from Santa Fe College.

​

Following a lifelong desire to enter the law enforcement profession, Charlie began his career with the Starke Police Department in 1998. After serving the City of Starke for three years, he joined the Pembroke Pines Police Department in June 2001. As a Pembroke Pines Police Officer, Charlie served as a Field Training Officer and was an important member of the Crisis Response Team and the Mobile Field Force. In 2007, Charlie was selected to the Traffic Unit and became a founding member of the D.U.I. Task Force. Three years later he transferred to the Motorcycle Squad and served with great honor until his untimely passing. Aside from the numerous commendations Charlie received, he was recognized in 2009 with a life-saving award and as the 2015 Officer of the Year.

​

In addition to his career, Charlie spent his life dedicated to his family and friends. He enjoyed playing games, fishing, supporting his children’s many talents, interests, and events. He truly loved hosting, cooking, and grilling delicious meals for all to enjoy. If there was a grill, Charlie was taking it over. He enjoyed traveling with his family and friends to fun destinations, such as: Gatlinburg, Tennessee, cruising to the Caribbean, and back home to Williston. Charlie was a passionate motorcycle rider, taking cross-country pilgrimages to Sturgis, South Dakota, Tail of the Dragon in North Carolina, and up the east coast of the United States. Charlie was an avid reader and a fan of old western movies. With all the loyalty to the University of Alabama Crimson Tide and the Miami Dolphins, he also supported the orange and blue University of Florida Gators if they were not playing Alabama.

​

Officer Charles “Charlie” Herring is survived by his mother, two sisters, former wife, and his four beloved children. In addition to his family, he leaves behind a countless number of friends and peers throughout the law enforcement community who mourn his loss.

​

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Officer Charles H. Herring, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.