Roll of Honor
Incident
Guard Ernest Drake died from wounds sustained two days earlier when he was attacked with an axe by two inmates during an escape attempt.
He was supervising a chain gang working on the Geer Highway in Marietta when the two attacked him and struck him with the axe. The men escaped but were quickly recaptured and charged with murder.
Guard Drake was a widower and was survived by his daughter, sister, brother, half-sister, and five half-brothers.
Survivors
Guard Drake was a widower and was survived by his daughter, sister, brother, half-sister, and five half-brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-7D861550- 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.
Guard Drake served with the Greenville County Chain Gang.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Drake.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Guard Ernest L. Drake 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 Greenville County Chain Gang, 2 of 2 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. Ernest L. Drake's cause is highlighted.
How Ernest L. Drake Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ernest L. Drake is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ernest L. Drake was killed by edged weapon; axe.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Greenville County Chain Gang are honored on badge.nw.
