Archie M. Sox
Agency patch
Guard

Archie M. Sox

Felonious
End of Watch April 22, 1920
Age 38
The Vigil Panel 38 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Guard Archie Sox was killed after being attacked by two inmates during an escape attempt from the DeSaussure State Prison Farm in Hagood, South Carolina.

He was supervising a work crew of 14 inmates as they repaired a road near the farm. He had his back turned to several of the inmates when one of them struck him on the back of the head with a shovel. After being struck he drew his pistol, but another inmate struck his arm, causing him to drop it. He was then struck on the head again, causing him to suffer a fractured skull.

The two inmates grabbed Guard Sox's pistol and shotgun and were preparing to shoot him when another inmate came to his rescue. The two inmates who attacked him, and a third inmate, fled the prison camp. The inmate who saved Guard Sox from being shot loaded him into a buggy and took him to receive medical care while the remaining inmates returned to the prison farm.

The subject who attacked Guard Sox was recaptured and subsequently sentenced to death for his murder. He was executed in the electric chair on March 4th, 1921.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-509B31B7
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
September 9, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Archie. 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.
Guard Sox served with the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of South Carolina. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Sox.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Corrections
Location Columbia, SC
Platform Identity scdcorr.richland.sc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 22, 1920
Age 38
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Assault
Weapon Blunt object; Shovel

Guard Archie M. Sox is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.

In SC, 272 of 441 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.7% of this state's fallen. That is 61.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At South Carolina Department of Corrections, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

South Carolina Department of Corrections
3
of 3 officers
100% Felonious
SC — Statewide
272
of 441 officers
61.7% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Archie M. Sox's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Archie M. Sox Compares

Age at Death
38
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Archie M. Sox is highlighted in Apr.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Archie M. Sox was killed by blunt object; shovel.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from South Carolina Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.