Chief of Police Walter S. Dukes

Walter S. Dukes

Chief Walter Dukes was shot and killed and Deputy Sheriff Gary Fairy was shot and fatally wounded when they attempted to serve a warrant on a man at his home.

Earlier in the day the suspect had been causing a scene and brandishing a weapon, which was confiscated. The suspect then threatened the Mayor with another firearm, demanding his previous weapon be returned, which lead to a warrant being issued for his arrest.

When Sheriff Dukes and Deputy Sheriff Fairy attempted to issue the warrant, the suspect asked, and was granted, permission to get his hat, but instead he grabbed a gun and opened fire. Chief Dukes died en route to the hospital in Orangeburg. Deputy Fairy was shot through the chest but was able to return fire and killed the suspect. Deputy Fairy died at the county hospital four days later.