Prev
Incident
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. They confiscated a rifle from the man but failed to locate a .22 caliber pistol. As the officers drove the man to jail on Doughty Street, he produced the pistol and shot both officers, killing Patrolman Gooding. The 30-year-old suspect was declared insane and was sent to the state penitentiary without a trial. He remained there until 1973, when he was removed to a state hospital because he refused to allow doctors to amputate his leg, which was infected with gangrene. His case was very complicated. He and his attorneys argued for years that he needed to be in a mental hospital, but state officials argued he was too dangerous and prison was the best place for him. He had served with the Charleston County Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife, two brothers, and two sisters. He is buried at Riverview Memorial Park, North Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two brothers, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmxqw472vkhwp96j72ym- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Gooding gave the Charleston County Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Charleston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Gooding.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charleston County Police Department has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1948, 1 officer at Charleston County Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1948, 1 officer in SC was killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1948, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1948, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 48. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Charleston County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 37.5; the middle age was 31.5. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 48. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
William was 48. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 48. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 40% of these deaths at Charleston County Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 40%.
March holds 7% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Saturdays: 17.3%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Charleston County Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 21% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Charleston County Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Charleston County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
