South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police

South Carolina Highway Patrol

SC Fallen Officers – April 20

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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.

SC Fallen Officers – April 17

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Today, we remember Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff Russell Richard Bell, South Carolina Highway Patrol Lance Corporal Michael Allen Chappell, and Richland County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Sheriff John Mark Dial.

On this date in 1990, Deputy Russell Bell was shot and killed with his own service weapon while transporting a mental patient to a hospital. The suspect was shot and wounded by other officers before being taken into custody. The suspect pleaded guilty to murder but was mentally ill and was sentenced to prison. He was paroled during the summer of 2006. Deputy Bell had been employed with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department for six years and is survived by his three grown children.

On this date in 1995, Lance Corporal Chappell was killed when his patrol car crashed while he was attempting to stop a traffic violator in Clarendon County. He died of massive head trauma when his patrol car left the roadway and struck a small tree. The vehicle he was attempting to stop was never located. Lance Corporal Chappell had served with the South Carolina Highway Patrol for eight years. He was survived by his wife and two sons, a sister, and three brothers.

On this date in 1992, Deputy Sheriff John Dial was killed when his patrol car was struck by a pickup truck being driven by a drunk driver. The collision occurred at the intersection of U.S. 321 and Crane Church Road. The 50-year-old driver was convicted of felony driving under the influence and sentenced to 18 years in prison. Deputy Dial had served with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department for almost three years. He was survived by his wife.

SC Fallen Officers – April 15

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Today, we remember South Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper Robert Paul Perry, Jr., and City of Anderson Police Department Patrolman Willis Edwin Sanders, Sr.

On this date in 1987, Trooper Robert Perry was killed in an automobile accident while attempting to pass another motorist during a pursuit. Trooper Perry had served with the South Carolina Highway Patrol for four hours. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and parents.

On this date in 1947, Patrolman Willis Sanders was shot and killed while investigating a burglary at the Anderson Creamery at 412 North Main Street. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and executed in the electric chair on July 11th, 1947. Patrolman Sanders had served with the Anderson Police Department for 10 years. He was survived by his wife, son, father, two brothers, and sister.

SC Fallen Officers – April 5

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Today, we remember South Carolina Highway Patrol Lance Corporal David Travis Bailey and City of Charleston Police Department Private First Class Roger Myers.

On this date in 2000, Lance Corporal David Bailey was killed in a vehicle accident while attempting to stop a car for speeding on I-85 in Greenville County.

On this date in 2004, PFC Roger Myers suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after he and several other officers struggled with a suspect wanted on a probation violation.

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 – February 28

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Today, we remember City of Cayce Police Department Corporal William John Illingworth, Sr., and South Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper Hardy Merl Godbold.

On this date in 1991, Corporal Bill Illingworth succumbed to injuries sustained on September 8th, 1983, when he was involved in a vehicle crash while responding to an armed robbery call.

On this date in 1992, Trooper Merle Godbold was killed when his marked Ford Mustang patrol car was pushed into a bunch of trees by a drunk driver on U.S. Highway 1 in Kershaw County.

SC Fallen Officers – February 4

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Today, we remember York County Constable William Gilmore DuRant, Berkeley County Constable Robert Hassell, Bamberg Police Department Chief of Police John King, and South Carolina Highway Patrol Senior Patrolman Walter T. Bell.

On this date in 1884, Constable Gilmore was shot and killed while arresting a fugitive from Charlotte, North Carolina.

On this date in 1893, Constable Hassell was shot and killed while serving a trespass warrant at Magnolia Mines.

On this date in 1903, Chief of Police John King was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance at a home on Factory Hill.

On this date in 1939, Senior Patrolman Walter Bell was killed in an automobile accident in Kershaw, South Carolina, when his patrol car was struck head-on by another vehicle.