Roll of Honor
Austin Derek Aldridge
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Austin Aldridge was shot and killed while responding to a domestic call at 3:20 pm on Chaffee Drive in Spartanburg.
When Deputy Aldridge approached the house, he was ambushed by the subject. Bystanders gave medical aid to Deputy Aldridge until EMS arrived and then provided responding officers with a description of the subject and his vehicle.
Another deputy spotted the subject and attempted a traffic stop. The man pretended to surrender but shot at the deputy, who returned fire before fleeing again. After crashing his vehicle, the subject engaged in another shootout before running into the woods, where members of the SWAT team and a police canine took him into custody. He was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. No officers were injured in the pursuit and apprehension of the subject.
Deputy Aldridge was transported to the hospital and succumbed to his wounds at 9:26 pm.
The man who murdered Deputy Aldridge died in custody prior to his trial for capital murder.
Deputy Aldridge had served with the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his expectant wife, who gave birth to a daughter months later.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-AEC397C7- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Aldridge gave the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Spartanburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Aldridge.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Austin Derek Aldridge is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In SC, 271 of 438 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this state's fallen. That is 7.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Austin Derek Aldridge's cause is highlighted.
How Austin Derek Aldridge Compares
Offender Outcome
Died before his trial
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Austin Derek Aldridge is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Austin Derek Aldridge was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
