COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety held induction ceremonies today – both virtually and with guests – to formally induct 14 officers into the SC Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame.
This year’s ceremony recognized 14 officers, with three being historical inductees dating as far back as 1874. Of the remaining 11 officers inducted into the Hall of Fame for 2021, seven died of complications from COVID-19; two died in collisions; one was struck and killed by a vehicle; and one died by vehicle assault.
“2021 was another difficult time for the law enforcement community in South Carolina as we laid to rest 11 officers across our state,” said SCDPS Director Robert G. Woods, IV. “The ceremony today recognizes each of those officers, along with several from many years ago, and allows us to come together with the families and the departments to remember and honor their service and contributions as they are formally and rightfully inducted into the SC Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame.”
Today’s ceremony brings the total number of South Carolina officers who are honored in the Hall of Fame Memorial Room to 418.
The following were inducted for the 2021 calendar year.
Private Henry Bluford
Newberry Police Department
End of Watch: October 19, 1874
Sheriff John McRoy Dozier
Marion County Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: September 27, 1917
Officer Charles Harvey Birt
Barnwell Police Department
End of Watch: December 24, 1971
Sergeant Gordon William Best
North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety
End of Watch: January 1, 2021
Deputy Jonathan David Price
Marion County Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: January 6, 2021
Lance Corporal Melton “Foxx” Gore
Horry County Police Department
End of Watch: January 12, 2021
Detective Sergeant Edward John Marcurella, Jr.
Colleton County Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: January 16, 2021
Sergeant Tommy Wayne Cudd
Union County Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: January 28, 2021
Officer Kevin Daniel Simmons
Aiken Department of Public Safety
End of Watch: August 15, 2021
Officer Dustin Michael Beasley
North Augusta Department of Public Safety
End of Watch: August 30, 2021
Officer Stephen Unique Jones
Barnwell Police Department
End of Watch: September 12, 2021
Lieutenant John Stewart
Lake City Police Department
End of Watch: September 17, 2021
Lieutenant John Christopher Brophy
Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: October 10, 2021
Team Leader Justin Barrett Gillespie
S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services
End of Watch: December 31, 2021
