Christopher Michael DeLong Jr.

Christopher Michael DeLong Jr., lovingly known as Chris, was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, friend, and police officer whose life was defined by his love for his family, his compassion for others, and his desire to serve.

Above everything else, Chris was a family man. His wife, Hannah, and their children, Stella and Sutton, were the center of his world. Any time Chris had away from work, there was nowhere he would rather be than with them. He loved taking care of his family and took great pride in making sure they had everything they needed. Whether he was singing and dancing around the house, playing outside with his babies, or simply spending time together, Chris found his greatest happiness in being a husband and dad.

He loved deeply and made that love known.

Chris had a personality that drew people to him. There seemed to be nowhere he could go without running into someone he knew, and he would always take the time to stop, talk, laugh, and catch up. He was a friend to everyone and the kind of person people genuinely enjoyed being around. He was loyal, caring, funny, and dependable- the kind of friend, son, brother, husband, and father anyone would be fortunate to have.

When he had the opportunity, Chris enjoyed duck hunting and playing video games with his buddies. But even among the things he enjoyed, nothing compared to being home with Hannah, Stella, and Sutton.

Chris joined the City of Columbia Police Department on June 10, 2024, fulfilling a dream he had worked hard to achieve. He graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in January 2025 and began the career he had been so excited to pursue.

From the beginning, Chris embraced being a police officer wholeheartedly. His squad quickly became far more than coworkers; they became brothers and sisters. Chris loved his job, loved the people he served alongside, and was proud to wear the badge.

On June 18, 2025, while still early in his career and recently out of field training, Chris and two of his fellow officers responded to a serious, life-threatening situation and helped save a life. For their actions, Chris and his fellow officers were recognized with a Life Saving Award in August 2025.

His service was marked not only by action, but also by compassion. Following another call in November 2025, Chris received recognition after victims specifically praised the compassion, understanding, and empathy he showed them. He refused to give up until he could help provide the answers they needed.

That was Chris.

He was ambitious, driven, and genuinely wanted to make a difference. If there was a wanted subject to locate or a warrant to serve, Chris was often one of the first officers ready to go. He enjoyed proactive police work and especially loved running radar—something that became a favorite after earning his radar certification. He was also proud to serve as a member of the department’s Mobile Field Force.

Chris was never someone who simply showed up and did the minimum. He wanted to be involved. He wanted to learn. He wanted to become better at his profession, and he wanted to help those around him do the same.

Even though he was still relatively early in his own law enforcement career, Chris never hesitated to help the officers who came behind him. He understood the importance of having someone willing to answer questions, offer guidance, and help a new officer find their footing. He took pride in sharing what he had learned and helping mold those who were beginning their own careers.

His ambition, work ethic, compassion, and willingness to help others made an impression in a remarkably short period of time and left a lasting impact on the officers who had the privilege of serving alongside him.

Chris was living his dream.

But beneath the uniform was the same Chris his family and friends knew and loved—the man who wanted to come home to his wife and babies, who would sing and dance with them, play outside with them, take care of them, and make sure they knew every day how much they were loved.

Chris is survived by his loving wife, Hannah DeLong, and their beloved children, Stella and Sutton DeLong.

He is also survived by his mother, Angela Graham; his father, Christopher DeLong Sr. and his wife, Ellen DeLong; his siblings, Maranda DeLong and Keaton Chavis, Korryn Hollis and her husband, Mark Hollis, Aaron Monette, Adalynn Graham, and Carleigh Graham; and his grandmother, Kathy Gworek. He is also survived by his grandmother, Deborah DeLong, whose late husband, Dennis DeLong, preceded Chris in death.

Chris also leaves behind his nieces and nephews, Jaxtin Chavis, Parker Chavis, and Haven Hollis, along with countless extended family members, friends, fellow officers, and members of the community whose lives were touched by him.

Through his marriage to Hannah, Chris was also blessed with a loving extended family, including Hannah’s parents, Angel Jeffcoat and her husband, Rudy Jeffcoat, and Thomas Church and his wife, Suzanne Church; her sister, Taylor Williams and her husband, Christian Williams; and her grandparents, Jackie Church and his wife, Ruth Church, and Teddy Chrisman and his wife, Beverly Chrisman.

Chris’ time was far too short, but the impact of his life cannot be measured simply in years. It can be found in the family he loved beyond measure, the friendships he built, the lives he helped, the officers he encouraged, the community he served, and the memories that will forever remain with those who knew him.

To Stella and Sutton, he will always be Dad.

To Hannah, he will always be the man who loved and cared for his family with everything he had.

To his family and friends, he will always be Chris.

To his brothers and sisters in blue, he will always be one of their own.

And to all who loved him, he will always be our hero.

A visitation will be held at Dunbar Funeral Home, 3926 Devine Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29205, on Thursday, September 3, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Chris will lie in state at Riverland Hills Baptist Church, 201 Lake Murray Boulevard, Irmo, South Carolina, on Friday, September 4, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

A Funeral Honoring Chris’ Life will begin at 11:00 a.m. at Riverland Hills Baptist Church. Burial honors will follow the service at Greenhaven Memorial Gardens, 11020 Two Notch Road, Elgin, South Carolina.

Dunbar Funeral Home is honored to assist the DeLong family with arrangements.