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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Robert Thompson and State Constable Hoss Wiggins were killed in a vehicle crash on Buncombe Road (modern-day Old Buncombe Road) three miles south of Travelers Rest.
They were assisting a special agent with the Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit, who had requested their assistance with seizing a vehicle that was illegally transporting alcohol. The driver of the vehicle had fled after crashing the vehicle when officers attempted to stop it. A mechanic was called to the scene to repair the vehicle before Deputy Thompson and Constable Wiggins began driving it back to Greenville.
As they entered a curve in the wet roadway the car struck a bump and crossed into the oncoming traffic. The vehicle collided with a truck and was demolished. Deputy Thompson died one hour later, and Constable Wiggins died the following night.
Deputy Thompson had served with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office for three years.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Thompson served with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Thompson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Greenville County Sheriff's Office has lost 17 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Robert is one of 139 officers lost to accidents in SC, 31.4% of the 442 remembered there.
Robert is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Robert is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1940, 5 officers in SC were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 71 years on record. The heaviest was 1986, with 6.
In 1940, 67 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 59th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1940, 107 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Robert was 36. Of the 120 lost to accidents in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 41; the middle age was 34.
Robert was 36. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Robert was 36. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
October holds 10.1% of these deaths in SC; June holds the most, 13.7%. Mondays: 11.5%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 17.6% of all 17 deaths at Greenville County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.4% of all 442 deaths in SC, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Greenville County Sheriff's Office has 17 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
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Eli Pittman
Apr 30, 1906
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Edgar Cleveland Waldrop
Jun 26, 1910
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John Flemon Lindsey
Oct 5, 1914
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James Arthur Stewart
Aug 26, 1917
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Hendrix Rector
Jul 4, 1919
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George Matthew Myers
Sep 22, 1926
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Samuel D. Willis
Jun 11, 1927
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Perry Paris
Oct 24, 1930
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Robert Earle Thompson Oct 7, 1940
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John P. Martin
Sep 12, 1965
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Claude V. Southerlin, Jr.
Oct 31, 1966
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Rufus Frank Looper, III
Feb 1, 1975
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William Mahon Banks
Jun 9, 1989
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Marcus Lyman Whitfield
Aug 13, 1999
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Antonio Joselito Sapinoso
Apr 2, 2003
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Andrew John Mazur
Aug 17, 2003
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William Conley Jumper, Jr.
Oct 20, 2020
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Greenville County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
