We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of retired Lt. Mike Gabriel on December 31.

Lt. Gabriel served with the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office for 25 years before retiring in 2021. During his distinguished career, he served in both Uniform Patrol and Civil. He was also a proud Vietnam War veteran, having served our country with honor before continuing a lifetime of public service in law enforcement.

Lt. Gabriel is remembered as a mentor to many and a servant leader who left a lasting impact on our agency and the community he served.

We are forever grateful for Lt. Gabriel’s service, sacrifice, and legacy. Please keep his family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

The Ceremonial Honor Guard alongside the Spartanburg County Fire Services Honor Guard will be providing retiree honors at the funeral for LT Mike Gabriel (ret.) on Monday, January 5, 2026.  The FD Honor Guard will render their portion of the honors at the funeral service.  We will conduct the graveside honors with the playing of TAPS, folding & presenting the flag and bagpipes.  Blakely Funeral Home in Gaffney is caring for the family.  Here is Mike’s obituary:

Chesnee, SC - - Michael “Mike” Dale Gabriel, 70, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at Spartanburg Medical Center.  Born in Elgin, Illinois, he was the husband of Mary Sexton Gabriel and son of the late George Dale Gabriel and Gloria Jones Gabriel.  He retired from the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Department, retired from the Chesnee Community Fire Department, was a U. S. Army veteran and a member of Arrowwood Baptist Church.  He loved his family, tree cutting and being a public servant.

Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons, Jeremy Sexton of San Francisco and Anthony Gabriel (Heidi) of Chesnee; a daughter, Amanda Gregory of Chesnee; two brothers, Gary Gabriel (Deborah) of Fort Mohave, Arizona and Bill Gabriel (Brenda) of Valparaiso, Indiana; six grandchildren, Andrew Gregory, Addison Gabriel, Hannah Gabrial, Chase Gregory, Maddilyn Gabriel and Miles Gabriel; “special granddaughters”, Margo McDowell and Emma Phillips; numerous nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Katie Gregory.

The family will receive friends from 12:30PM until 2:00PM on Monday, January 5, 2026 at Arrowwood Baptist Church.  Funeral services will immediately follow at 2:00PM at the Church with Chaplain Matthew Scruggs, Chaplain Bruce Fowler, Reverend Bruce Jennings, Mr. Ronnie Horn and Reverend Preston Edmonds officiating.  Interment will be in Springhill Memorial Gardens. Honors will be presented by the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard and the Spartanburg County Fire Department Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Chesnee Community Fire Department, 5854 Chesnee Highway, Chesnee, SC 29323 or Arrowwood Baptist Church, 1410 Highway 11 W., Chesnee, SC 29323.

The family will be at the residence.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome.com