Roll of Honor
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-E3AFB655- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
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
Rural Police Officer Arthur M. Bateman 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 Sumter County Sheriff's Department, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Arthur M. Bateman's cause is highlighted.
How Arthur M. Bateman Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Arthur M. Bateman is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Arthur M. Bateman was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Sumter County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
