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Incident
Rural Police Officer Arthur Bateman succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day while seizing four gallons of liquor.
He had stopped a man on the highway near Dalzell and was placing the contraband liquor in his buggy when the man shot him. The man who shot him was arrested later in the day.
In December of 1913 the suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 12 years. The next day the citizens of Sumpter County were shocked when he was pardoned by Governor Cole L. Brease. Governor Brease refused to give the reason for his decision. The suspect was shot and killed by his brother in 1932.
During his term as governor, Governor Brease pardoned between 1500 and 1700 prisoners. Some were murderers or had been convicted of other serious crimes. He said he wanted to give the poor devils a chance. His political enemies said he was paid lots of money for his actions.
Officer Bateman was survived by his wife and children.
Survivors
Officer Bateman was survived by his wife and 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Rural Police Officer Bateman served with the Sumter County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Sumter community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Rural Police Officer Bateman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sumter County Sheriff's Department has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Arthur is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Arthur is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Arthur 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 1913, 1 officer at Sumter County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1913, 4 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1913, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1913, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Arthur was 38. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Sumter County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 38; the middle age was 37.
Arthur was 38. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Arthur was 38. 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.
Arthur was 38. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 20% of these deaths at Sumter County Sheriff's Department; February holds the most, 40%. Sundays: 40%.
May holds 9.9% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Sundays: 19.5%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Sumter County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, 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 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
Sumter County Sheriff's Department has 5 officers remembered here, Arthur 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
4 officers from Sumter County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
