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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Roger Rice was shot and killed as he and other deputies searched for a 38-year-old murder suspect at approximately 11:55 pm.
Officers from the Fountain Inn Police Department had requested assistance from the sheriff's office to locate the man, who had just murdered his girlfriend. Deputies and officers located the man near his home on Barrel Stave Road in Clinton. As they attempted to take him into custody, he opened fire, fatally wounding Deputy Rice. Other officers on the scene returned fire and wounded the subject before taking him into custody.
The man was subsequently sentenced to two life terms in prison. He died from a heart attack in prison January 15, 2018.
Deputy Rice had served with the Laurens County Sheriff's Office for 18 months.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Rice gave the Laurens County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Laurens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Rice.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Laurens County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Roger is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Roger is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Roger 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 2011, 2 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 2011, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2011, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Roger was 29. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Roger had served 1.6 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Roger was 29. 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. Roger had served 1.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Roger was 29. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Roger had served 1.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 10.7% of these deaths in SC, more than any other month. Thursdays: 12.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at Laurens County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 11.4% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Laurens County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Roger 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 Laurens County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
