Charles Levon McNeill
Agency patch
Conservation Officer

Charles Levon McNeill

Veteran → Felonious
End of Watch October 3, 1974
Age 47
Tour of Duty 23 yrs
The Vigil Panel 114 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Conservation Officer Charles McNeill was shot and killed after he and another officer issued citations to three hunters for hunting deer in a game sanctuary. After issuing the citations, the suspects began to argue with the officers and then opened fire, killing Officer McNeill. Another shot and critically wounded the other officer. The three men fled but were apprehended at a later time. The other officer had a lengthy stay in the hospital and lost an eye as a result of the shooting. The 65-year-old suspect who shot Officer McNeill was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. In 1978, he was resentenced to life. On October 2, 1985, he was denied a parole. The suspect who shot the other officer was convicted of assault with intent to kill and sentenced to 20 years. Officer McNeill was a United States Navy WWII veteran and had served with the Department of Natural Resources for 23 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three daughters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-185D5E79
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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Conservation Officer McNeill gave the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources 23 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Type Federal Agency
Location Columbia, SC
Platform Identity scdnrcons.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 3, 1974
Tour of Duty 23 yrs
Age 47
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Shotgun

Military Service

Charles Levon McNeill served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Conservation Officer Charles Levon McNeill 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 97,759 officers honored here.

In SC, 271 of 440 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.6% of this state's fallen. That is 61.6 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, 3 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30% of this agency's fallen.

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
3
of 10 officers
30% Felonious
SC — Statewide
271
of 440 officers
61.6% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,759 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Levon McNeill's cause is highlighted.

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

How Charles Levon McNeill Compares

Age at Death
47
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
23
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Levon McNeill is highlighted in Oct.

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. Charles Levon McNeill was killed by shotgun.

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

Military Service

Charles Levon McNeill served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.

Visit Charles Levon McNeill’s page on salute.nw →

His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.