South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police

Charleston County Police Department

SC Fallen Officers – May 11

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May 11

Today, we remember Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff James Alexander Campbell, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff Harvey L. Middleton, Charleston County Police Department Patrolman James Owens, Jr., and Eastover Police Department Chief of Police Nathaniel Williams.

On this date in 1930, Sheriff James “Sandy” Campbell was killed in a motor vehicle accident between Chesterfield and McBee. The driver of the other car was charged with murder.

On this date in 1975, Deputy Sheriff Harvey Middleton was shot and killed when he and the St. Stephen Police Chief attempted to arrest a man who went on a shooting spree at his mother’s home.

On this date in 1968, Patrolman James Owens was shot and killed while transporting a prisoner he had just arrested.

On this date in 1995, Chief of Police Nathaniel Williams died from injuries sustained a year prior from an automobile accident.

SC Fallen Officers – May 4

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May 4

Today, we remember Sumter County Rural Police Officer Arthur M. Bateman, Richland County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Sheriff Byron Keith Cannon, and Charleston County Police Department Detective Joel Michael Robertson.

On this date in 1913, Rural Police Officer Arthur Bateman succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day while seizing four gallons of liquor. Officer Bateman was survived by his wife and children.

On this date in 2005, Deputy Sheriff Byron Cannon was killed in an automobile crash on I-20 at approximately 4:15 pm. Deputy Cannon had served with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department for 18 months and had previously served with the South Carolina Department of Probation and Parole for one year. He is survived by his fiancée, brother, and his mother.

On this date in 1978, Detective Joel Robertson was killed when his department vehicle was struck head-on by another vehicle on Highway 17 in the Whitehall Terrace section of Mount Pleasant. Detective Robertson had served with the Charleston County Police Department for four years and was assigned to the Warrants Division. He had previously served with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office for two years. He was survived by five siblings, stepfather, and grandmother.

SC Fallen Officers – March 27

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Today, we remember South Carolina Highway Patrol Corporal Dana Kevin Cusack, Charleston County Police Patrolman William Leon Gooding, and Newberry Chain Gang Guard James Solomon Hargrove.

On this date in 1948, Patrolman Leon Gooding was shot and killed after he and his partner arrested a man on the John Island railroad tracks who had escaped from the South Carolina state mental hospital a month earlier. He had served with the Charleston County Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife, two brothers, and two sisters.

On this date in 1896, Guard James Hargrove was struck with a pickaxe and killed by an inmate. The murderer was convicted and hanged.

On this date in 2010, Corporal Kevin Cusack was killed while driving his patrol car when he was involved in a single-vehicle accident. He was on patrol when his patrol car left the road as he drove on State Highway 200, about six miles south of Lancaster. Corporal Cusack was killed as a result. Corporal Cusack had served with the South Carolina Highway Patrol for 21 years. He is survived by his three children, mother, three sisters, and one brother.

SC Fallen Officers – March 12

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Today, we remember Anderson County Sheriff’s Office SC Master Deputy J. Alex Burdette, South Carolina Department of Corrections Corporal Joe Byrd, and Charleston County Police Detective William Patrick Messer.

On this date in 2005, Master Deputy J. Alex Burdette died of injuries sustained several hours earlier when he was struck by a vehicle on SC 81 near the intersection of Hayes Road. Deputy Burdette had served with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office for 4 years. He is survived by his wife and two young daughters.

On this date in 1936, Corporal Joe Byrd was attacked and killed by a 17-year-old ex-convict at about 5:35 am. Corporal Byrd had served with the South Carolina Department of Corrections for five years and had previously served with the Lancaster Police Department. He was survived by his wife, son, mother, and five sisters.

On this date in 1976, Detective William Messer was killed after being dragged to death underneath a vehicle. Detective Messer was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Detective Messer was survived by his wife and daughter.