Today, we remember Hartsville Police Department SC Patrolman Ulysses “Buck” Dobson, Sr., South Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper Randall Lamar Hester, and City of Anderson Police Department Patrolman Charles Grady Sheppard.
On this date in 1953, Patrolman Dobson succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous night after responding to a call from a woman who was being beaten by her husband. Patrolman Dobson had served with the Hartsville Department of Public Safety for 2 years. He was the first African-American officer to serve with the agency.
On this date in 1994, Trooper Randall Hester was killed in an accident during the pursuit of a speeding motorcycle. He died of severe internal injuries sustained in the crash. Trooper Hester had served with the South Carolina Highway Patrol for three years. He was survived by his wife.
On this date in 1975, Patrolman Charles Sheppard succumbed to injuries sustained two days earlier when a juvenile female intentionally broad-sided his patrol car while he was stopped at a red light at the intersection of North Fant Street and East Calhoun Street. Patrolman Sheppard had served seven years with the Anderson Police Department. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
