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Incident
Policeman Marion Nettles was stabbed to death by a man he arrested at the bus terminal for disorderly conduct. The subject refused to pay for a sandwich and then got argumentative and abusive with the server.
The subject attacked Policeman Nettles with a knife as they got out of the police car at the police station on Benson Street. Policeman Nettles, stabbed in the head and neck, succumbed to his wounds approximately 45 minutes later. With the use of bloodhounds, the suspect was tracked down eight hours later and arrested.
The 38-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life.
One of his sons, Patrolman Norris Nettles, a patrolman with the South Carolina Highway Patrol, died in the line of duty on January 4, 1942.
Policeman Nettles had served with the Walterboro Police Department for seven years.
After Policeman Nettles' death, a South Carolina State Representative, upset because Policeman Nettles did not find and take the knife, introduced legislation for a police training center, which finally opened in 1968. Since 1946, the five bloodhounds Monty, Dixie, Brownie, Junior, and Star had an incredible record for catching criminals and recovering money and property worth thousands of dollars.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Policeman Nettles gave the Walterboro Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Walterboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Nettles.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Walterboro Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Marion is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Marion is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Marion 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 1949, 3 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1949, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1949, 65 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 122nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Marion was 56. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Marion had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Marion was 56. 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. Marion had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Marion was 56. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Marion had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 9.2% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Fridays: 15.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Walterboro Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 1.1% 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 edged weapon; knife, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Walterboro Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Marion 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
2 officers from Walterboro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
