Today, a community far larger than a town or a county joined together to mourn and pay tribute to the life of a son, a brother, a father, a husband, a best friend, a high school athlete, a U.S. Marine, a Franklin police officer, a brother in service, a church member and a brother in Christ – Marcus Levi McCarson.
The 21-year-old member of the Franklin Police Department died Thursday, September 17, in unfortunate off-duty accident doing one of the activities he loved most – riding his motorcycle.
The ceremony came with immense tears of sorrow and a few smiles for family and friends.
A life lived fearlessly
Despite his young age, McCarson lived more life in his short time than many experience ever.
Born in Newport News, Va., he was a high school wrestler, a U.S. Marine, a valued member of the Franklin Police Department, a husband to Abigail and father to his newborn Azzi Kate.
He also was committed to his Faith. His favorite Bible verse was Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
As hundreds of people waited in line to see his family for two solid hours, a long slide show of McCarson’s life was shown on the big screen to music of Faith, family and love. The songs included “I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe, “Call Your Mom” and “Willing and Able” by Noah Kahan, “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” by Iron & Wine, and “Mind Over Matter” by Young the Giant.
An immense community
This was no ordinary visitation and graveside service. Starting at 11 a.m. and proceeding for two hours uninterrupted, a long line of perhaps 500 waited to pass McCarson’s flag-draped casket and to hug his family.
The number of well wishers of all ages from Virginia and beyond showed how beloved this young man was and how much everyday citizens honor and respect our first responders.
Local leaders from the Town of Franklin and Macon County paid their respects.
In reference to the crowd size, Ryan Hursey, the assistant fire chief for the Franklin Department of Fire and Rescue, said, “The community always supports first responders.”
What was remarkable for this reporter was the number of law enforcement officers and first responders that represented virtually every community in Western North Carolina.
There were so many that Hursey had to help identify them. This is certainly not a complete list, but those we could identify in the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts included:
- Franklin Police Department
- Macon County Sheriff’s Office
- Franklin Fire and Rescue Department
- Macon County Emergency Medical Services
- Clarks Chapel Fire and Rescue
- Cowee Fire and Rescue
- Otto Volunteer Fire and Rescue
- North Carolina State Highway Patrol
- N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Law Enforcement Division
- Asheville Police Department
- Bryson City Police Department
- Cherokee Fire and Rescue
- Cherokee Police Department
- Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department
- Swain County Sheriff’s Department
- Sylva Police Department
- Waynesville Police Department
- Western Carolina University Police Department
Service also runs deep in McCarson’s family as his father- and brothers-in-law serve in the Franklin Fire Department – Dennis, Aiden and Avery Carpenter respectively.
A day in photos
Here’s the visitation and service at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts followed Woodlawn Cemetary Service.
A beautiful life for everyone to see
Much love
The procession
After the visitation, the crowd of friends, family and colleagues made their way following a long line of law enforcement and first responders to Woodlawn Cemetery. To see the law enforcement procession, click here.
At the gravesite, a heart wrenching moment came when the American flag was given to his wife. That was followed by “Taps” and a 21-gun salute. Michael Waters completed that part of the service by playing “America the Beautiful” and “Amazing Grace” on the bag pipes.
Finally, and perhaps the one moment that brought tears to everyone’s eyes, was the final call from dispatch over a unit’s loudspeaker.
“FP25 your sisters and brothers in service will carry on the watch from here. Franklin police unit FP25 10-7, your sacrifice and service will never be forgotten.”