COLUMBIA - A Mass of Christian burial for Officer Gregory Thomas Alia, 32, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 3, 2015, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Final Commendation and Farewell Prayers will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 2, 2015, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel.
Officer Alia died in the line of duty Wednesday, September 30, 2015. Born in Columbia, he was the son of Dr. Richard Thomas Alia and Mary Alexis Wade Alia. He was a graduate of Richland Northeast High School and the University of South Carolina with degrees in Criminal Justice and Media Arts. He was a founding father of Phi Sigma Kappa Gamma Triton Chapter. Officer Alia was with the Forest Acres Police Department for seven years. He was an Eagle Scout and a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Surviving are his wife, Kassandra Kugler "Kassy" Alia; son, Salvatore David Alia; his parents; sisters, Christine A. Corbly (Brett) of Indian Land, Rebecca Mesnil (Pierre) of Columbia; a niece, Madeleine; father-in-law and mother-in-law, David and Carol Ann Kugler; sisters-in-laws, Kristina Persinger (Brian), Knatalia Kugler, Kara Kugler; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Greg Alia Memorial Fund at https://www.gofundme.com/rw5b9wbc.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com
Published in the State, Friday, October 3, 2015
Hundreds gathered Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church and Elmwood Cemetery to mourn the death and celebrate the life of Forest Acres police officer Greg Alia.
Alia, 32, a seven-year veteran of the Forest Acres Police Department, was shot and killed Wednesday morning by a suspect in Richland Mall. His funeral Mass and burial services were crowded with police officers and law enforcement officials, including Forest Acres Police Chief Gene Sealy, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson.
Some mourners who packed into the downtown Columbia church, including police from departments across South Carolina, wore blue ribbons in support of police.
Alia on Saturday was recalled as a gentle, patient protector who sought to serve others before himself.
Christine Corbly, one of Alia’s sisters who spoke at the funeral Mass, said Alia’s overwhelming
love and happiness were evident in the way he treated his family, friends and those he protected as a police officer.
"This is not the first time my brother rushed into danger, and if things had been different, it wouldn’t have been the last," Corbly said.
"This is not what made my brother a hero. What made my brother a hero was that every day he got up, put on his uniform, loved his family, loved his son, loved his wife, was full of commitment and happiness and contentment that he poured into everything he did.
"He gave it his all."
Corbly, who is older than Alia, said she used to read to him stories about heroes, warriors and adventure when they were kids. She said Alia wasn’t usually drawn to the main character, preferring the sidekicks instead for their loyalty, selflessness and sacrifice.
"It seems that is the man he tried to become – strong and brave, selfless," Corbly said.
"Never the star, never the center, but rather the one who sacrificed himself so the hero could escape and save the day."
Monsignor Richard Harris, who delivered the homily at the funeral Mass, said Alia always looked for the good in others and that even when there wasn’t much good to find, he was still patient and understanding.
"We will miss Gregory Alia – his voice, a touch, a smile, and a presence that will be longed for in the weeks, months and years to come," Harris said. "And there is the wish to say just one more, 'I love you.’"
Corbly thanked those in attendance for the outpouring of support the family has received over the past few days, most of all the memories of her brother that friends shared with them.
A GoFundMe set up by Alia’s Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity brothers at the University of South Carolina had raised nearly 3,500 donations, amounting to nearly $175,000, as of Saturday afternoon.
That support also was visible on the way to Alia’s burial service, said Chris Scott, who grew up with Alia in Forest Acres and went to USC and then California with him before he came back to South Carolina to become a police officer.
Officers and others lined the streets throughout Columbia, the officers saluting the funeral procession as it drove from St. Joseph’s on Devine Street to the cemetery on Elmwood Avenue.
"It blew me away," Scott said.
"There were officers at every corner. They saluted every time.
"Outside of every shop on the way, there were people standing there."
Scott said the driver of the hearse he rode said that in the more than 1,800 funerals he had worked, he had never seen anything like that.
"To see this tidal wave of support and people that Greg knew and touched – he was the most magnetic, charming guy," Scott said. "I think his greatest superpower was he could not just make friends, but he could bring people together and form groups of friends and then bring them together.
"I know hundreds of people here, all through Greg, and every single one of them has an amazing, incredible story."
Published in th State Saturday, October 4, 2015
∼Police Officer Greg Alia was shot and killed when he and two other officers responded to a suspicious person call at the Richland Mall shortly before 8:00 am.
The officers located the subject inside a van in the mall's parking lot. As they spoke to him the man became uncooperative and then fled on foot into the mall. During the ensuing struggle the subject produced a stolen .40 caliber handgun and fatally shot Officer Alia.
The man was apprehended a short time later and charged with murder.
Officer Alia had served with the Forest Acres Police Department for seven years. He is survived by his wife, 6-month-old son, and parents.
Please contact the following agency to send condolences or to obtain funeral arrangements:
Chief of Police Gene Sealy
Forest Acres Police Department
5205 Trenholm Road
Columbia, SC 29206
Phone: (803) 782-9444
Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/22607-police-officer-gregory-thomas-alia#ixzz3nZcNDfzA
Officer Alia died in the line of duty Wednesday, September 30, 2015. Born in Columbia, he was the son of Dr. Richard Thomas Alia and Mary Alexis Wade Alia. He was a graduate of Richland Northeast High School and the University of South Carolina with degrees in Criminal Justice and Media Arts. He was a founding father of Phi Sigma Kappa Gamma Triton Chapter. Officer Alia was with the Forest Acres Police Department for seven years. He was an Eagle Scout and a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Surviving are his wife, Kassandra Kugler "Kassy" Alia; son, Salvatore David Alia; his parents; sisters, Christine A. Corbly (Brett) of Indian Land, Rebecca Mesnil (Pierre) of Columbia; a niece, Madeleine; father-in-law and mother-in-law, David and Carol Ann Kugler; sisters-in-laws, Kristina Persinger (Brian), Knatalia Kugler, Kara Kugler; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Greg Alia Memorial Fund at https://www.gofundme.com/rw5b9wbc.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com
Published in the State, Friday, October 3, 2015
Hundreds gathered Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church and Elmwood Cemetery to mourn the death and celebrate the life of Forest Acres police officer Greg Alia.
Alia, 32, a seven-year veteran of the Forest Acres Police Department, was shot and killed Wednesday morning by a suspect in Richland Mall. His funeral Mass and burial services were crowded with police officers and law enforcement officials, including Forest Acres Police Chief Gene Sealy, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson.
Some mourners who packed into the downtown Columbia church, including police from departments across South Carolina, wore blue ribbons in support of police.
Alia on Saturday was recalled as a gentle, patient protector who sought to serve others before himself.
Christine Corbly, one of Alia’s sisters who spoke at the funeral Mass, said Alia’s overwhelming
love and happiness were evident in the way he treated his family, friends and those he protected as a police officer.
"This is not the first time my brother rushed into danger, and if things had been different, it wouldn’t have been the last," Corbly said.
"This is not what made my brother a hero. What made my brother a hero was that every day he got up, put on his uniform, loved his family, loved his son, loved his wife, was full of commitment and happiness and contentment that he poured into everything he did.
"He gave it his all."
Corbly, who is older than Alia, said she used to read to him stories about heroes, warriors and adventure when they were kids. She said Alia wasn’t usually drawn to the main character, preferring the sidekicks instead for their loyalty, selflessness and sacrifice.
"It seems that is the man he tried to become – strong and brave, selfless," Corbly said.
"Never the star, never the center, but rather the one who sacrificed himself so the hero could escape and save the day."
Monsignor Richard Harris, who delivered the homily at the funeral Mass, said Alia always looked for the good in others and that even when there wasn’t much good to find, he was still patient and understanding.
"We will miss Gregory Alia – his voice, a touch, a smile, and a presence that will be longed for in the weeks, months and years to come," Harris said. "And there is the wish to say just one more, 'I love you.’"
Corbly thanked those in attendance for the outpouring of support the family has received over the past few days, most of all the memories of her brother that friends shared with them.
A GoFundMe set up by Alia’s Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity brothers at the University of South Carolina had raised nearly 3,500 donations, amounting to nearly $175,000, as of Saturday afternoon.
That support also was visible on the way to Alia’s burial service, said Chris Scott, who grew up with Alia in Forest Acres and went to USC and then California with him before he came back to South Carolina to become a police officer.
Officers and others lined the streets throughout Columbia, the officers saluting the funeral procession as it drove from St. Joseph’s on Devine Street to the cemetery on Elmwood Avenue.
"It blew me away," Scott said.
"There were officers at every corner. They saluted every time.
"Outside of every shop on the way, there were people standing there."
Scott said the driver of the hearse he rode said that in the more than 1,800 funerals he had worked, he had never seen anything like that.
"To see this tidal wave of support and people that Greg knew and touched – he was the most magnetic, charming guy," Scott said. "I think his greatest superpower was he could not just make friends, but he could bring people together and form groups of friends and then bring them together.
"I know hundreds of people here, all through Greg, and every single one of them has an amazing, incredible story."
Published in th State Saturday, October 4, 2015
∼Police Officer Greg Alia was shot and killed when he and two other officers responded to a suspicious person call at the Richland Mall shortly before 8:00 am.
The officers located the subject inside a van in the mall's parking lot. As they spoke to him the man became uncooperative and then fled on foot into the mall. During the ensuing struggle the subject produced a stolen .40 caliber handgun and fatally shot Officer Alia.
The man was apprehended a short time later and charged with murder.
Officer Alia had served with the Forest Acres Police Department for seven years. He is survived by his wife, 6-month-old son, and parents.
Please contact the following agency to send condolences or to obtain funeral arrangements:
Chief of Police Gene Sealy
Forest Acres Police Department
5205 Trenholm Road
Columbia, SC 29206
Phone: (803) 782-9444
Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/22607-police-officer-gregory-thomas-alia#ixzz3nZcNDfzA
COLUMBIA - A Mass of Christian burial for Officer Gregory Thomas Alia, 32, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 3, 2015, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Final Commendation and Farewell Prayers will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 2, 2015, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel.
Officer Alia died in the line of duty Wednesday, September 30, 2015. Born in Columbia, he was the son of Dr. Richard Thomas Alia and Mary Alexis Wade Alia. He was a graduate of Richland Northeast High School and the University of South Carolina with degrees in Criminal Justice and Media Arts. He was a founding father of Phi Sigma Kappa Gamma Triton Chapter. Officer Alia was with the Forest Acres Police Department for seven years. He was an Eagle Scout and a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Surviving are his wife, Kassandra Kugler "Kassy" Alia; son, Salvatore David Alia; his parents; sisters, Christine A. Corbly (Brett) of Indian Land, Rebecca Mesnil (Pierre) of Columbia; a niece, Madeleine; father-in-law and mother-in-law, David and Carol Ann Kugler; sisters-in-laws, Kristina Persinger (Brian), Knatalia Kugler, Kara Kugler; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Greg Alia Memorial Fund at https://www.gofundme.com/rw5b9wbc.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com
Published in the State, Friday, October 3, 2015
Hundreds gathered Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church and Elmwood Cemetery to mourn the death and celebrate the life of Forest Acres police officer Greg Alia.
Alia, 32, a seven-year veteran of the Forest Acres Police Department, was shot and killed Wednesday morning by a suspect in Richland Mall. His funeral Mass and burial services were crowded with police officers and law enforcement officials, including Forest Acres Police Chief Gene Sealy, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson.
Some mourners who packed into the downtown Columbia church, including police from departments across South Carolina, wore blue ribbons in support of police.
Alia on Saturday was recalled as a gentle, patient protector who sought to serve others before himself.
Christine Corbly, one of Alia’s sisters who spoke at the funeral Mass, said Alia’s overwhelming
love and happiness were evident in the way he treated his family, friends and those he protected as a police officer.
"This is not the first time my brother rushed into danger, and if things had been different, it wouldn’t have been the last," Corbly said.
"This is not what made my brother a hero. What made my brother a hero was that every day he got up, put on his uniform, loved his family, loved his son, loved his wife, was full of commitment and happiness and contentment that he poured into everything he did.
"He gave it his all."
Corbly, who is older than Alia, said she used to read to him stories about heroes, warriors and adventure when they were kids. She said Alia wasn’t usually drawn to the main character, preferring the sidekicks instead for their loyalty, selflessness and sacrifice.
"It seems that is the man he tried to become – strong and brave, selfless," Corbly said.
"Never the star, never the center, but rather the one who sacrificed himself so the hero could escape and save the day."
Monsignor Richard Harris, who delivered the homily at the funeral Mass, said Alia always looked for the good in others and that even when there wasn’t much good to find, he was still patient and understanding.
"We will miss Gregory Alia – his voice, a touch, a smile, and a presence that will be longed for in the weeks, months and years to come," Harris said. "And there is the wish to say just one more, 'I love you.’"
Corbly thanked those in attendance for the outpouring of support the family has received over the past few days, most of all the memories of her brother that friends shared with them.
A GoFundMe set up by Alia’s Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity brothers at the University of South Carolina had raised nearly 3,500 donations, amounting to nearly $175,000, as of Saturday afternoon.
That support also was visible on the way to Alia’s burial service, said Chris Scott, who grew up with Alia in Forest Acres and went to USC and then California with him before he came back to South Carolina to become a police officer.
Officers and others lined the streets throughout Columbia, the officers saluting the funeral procession as it drove from St. Joseph’s on Devine Street to the cemetery on Elmwood Avenue.
"It blew me away," Scott said.
"There were officers at every corner. They saluted every time.
"Outside of every shop on the way, there were people standing there."
Scott said the driver of the hearse he rode said that in the more than 1,800 funerals he had worked, he had never seen anything like that.
"To see this tidal wave of support and people that Greg knew and touched – he was the most magnetic, charming guy," Scott said. "I think his greatest superpower was he could not just make friends, but he could bring people together and form groups of friends and then bring them together.
"I know hundreds of people here, all through Greg, and every single one of them has an amazing, incredible story."
Published in th State Saturday, October 4, 2015
∼Police Officer Greg Alia was shot and killed when he and two other officers responded to a suspicious person call at the Richland Mall shortly before 8:00 am.
The officers located the subject inside a van in the mall's parking lot. As they spoke to him the man became uncooperative and then fled on foot into the mall. During the ensuing struggle the subject produced a stolen .40 caliber handgun and fatally shot Officer Alia.
The man was apprehended a short time later and charged with murder.
Officer Alia had served with the Forest Acres Police Department for seven years. He is survived by his wife, 6-month-old son, and parents.
Please contact the following agency to send condolences or to obtain funeral arrangements:
Chief of Police Gene Sealy
Forest Acres Police Department
5205 Trenholm Road
Columbia, SC 29206
Phone: (803) 782-9444
Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/22607-police-officer-gregory-thomas-alia#ixzz3nZcNDfzA
Officer Alia died in the line of duty Wednesday, September 30, 2015. Born in Columbia, he was the son of Dr. Richard Thomas Alia and Mary Alexis Wade Alia. He was a graduate of Richland Northeast High School and the University of South Carolina with degrees in Criminal Justice and Media Arts. He was a founding father of Phi Sigma Kappa Gamma Triton Chapter. Officer Alia was with the Forest Acres Police Department for seven years. He was an Eagle Scout and a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Surviving are his wife, Kassandra Kugler "Kassy" Alia; son, Salvatore David Alia; his parents; sisters, Christine A. Corbly (Brett) of Indian Land, Rebecca Mesnil (Pierre) of Columbia; a niece, Madeleine; father-in-law and mother-in-law, David and Carol Ann Kugler; sisters-in-laws, Kristina Persinger (Brian), Knatalia Kugler, Kara Kugler; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Greg Alia Memorial Fund at https://www.gofundme.com/rw5b9wbc.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com
Published in the State, Friday, October 3, 2015
Hundreds gathered Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church and Elmwood Cemetery to mourn the death and celebrate the life of Forest Acres police officer Greg Alia.
Alia, 32, a seven-year veteran of the Forest Acres Police Department, was shot and killed Wednesday morning by a suspect in Richland Mall. His funeral Mass and burial services were crowded with police officers and law enforcement officials, including Forest Acres Police Chief Gene Sealy, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson.
Some mourners who packed into the downtown Columbia church, including police from departments across South Carolina, wore blue ribbons in support of police.
Alia on Saturday was recalled as a gentle, patient protector who sought to serve others before himself.
Christine Corbly, one of Alia’s sisters who spoke at the funeral Mass, said Alia’s overwhelming
love and happiness were evident in the way he treated his family, friends and those he protected as a police officer.
"This is not the first time my brother rushed into danger, and if things had been different, it wouldn’t have been the last," Corbly said.
"This is not what made my brother a hero. What made my brother a hero was that every day he got up, put on his uniform, loved his family, loved his son, loved his wife, was full of commitment and happiness and contentment that he poured into everything he did.
"He gave it his all."
Corbly, who is older than Alia, said she used to read to him stories about heroes, warriors and adventure when they were kids. She said Alia wasn’t usually drawn to the main character, preferring the sidekicks instead for their loyalty, selflessness and sacrifice.
"It seems that is the man he tried to become – strong and brave, selfless," Corbly said.
"Never the star, never the center, but rather the one who sacrificed himself so the hero could escape and save the day."
Monsignor Richard Harris, who delivered the homily at the funeral Mass, said Alia always looked for the good in others and that even when there wasn’t much good to find, he was still patient and understanding.
"We will miss Gregory Alia – his voice, a touch, a smile, and a presence that will be longed for in the weeks, months and years to come," Harris said. "And there is the wish to say just one more, 'I love you.’"
Corbly thanked those in attendance for the outpouring of support the family has received over the past few days, most of all the memories of her brother that friends shared with them.
A GoFundMe set up by Alia’s Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity brothers at the University of South Carolina had raised nearly 3,500 donations, amounting to nearly $175,000, as of Saturday afternoon.
That support also was visible on the way to Alia’s burial service, said Chris Scott, who grew up with Alia in Forest Acres and went to USC and then California with him before he came back to South Carolina to become a police officer.
Officers and others lined the streets throughout Columbia, the officers saluting the funeral procession as it drove from St. Joseph’s on Devine Street to the cemetery on Elmwood Avenue.
"It blew me away," Scott said.
"There were officers at every corner. They saluted every time.
"Outside of every shop on the way, there were people standing there."
Scott said the driver of the hearse he rode said that in the more than 1,800 funerals he had worked, he had never seen anything like that.
"To see this tidal wave of support and people that Greg knew and touched – he was the most magnetic, charming guy," Scott said. "I think his greatest superpower was he could not just make friends, but he could bring people together and form groups of friends and then bring them together.
"I know hundreds of people here, all through Greg, and every single one of them has an amazing, incredible story."
Published in th State Saturday, October 4, 2015
∼Police Officer Greg Alia was shot and killed when he and two other officers responded to a suspicious person call at the Richland Mall shortly before 8:00 am.
The officers located the subject inside a van in the mall's parking lot. As they spoke to him the man became uncooperative and then fled on foot into the mall. During the ensuing struggle the subject produced a stolen .40 caliber handgun and fatally shot Officer Alia.
The man was apprehended a short time later and charged with murder.
Officer Alia had served with the Forest Acres Police Department for seven years. He is survived by his wife, 6-month-old son, and parents.
Please contact the following agency to send condolences or to obtain funeral arrangements:
Chief of Police Gene Sealy
Forest Acres Police Department
5205 Trenholm Road
Columbia, SC 29206
Phone: (803) 782-9444
Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/22607-police-officer-gregory-thomas-alia#ixzz3nZcNDfzA
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