Roll of Honor
Incident
Game Warden Frank Floyd was shot and killed while trying to arrest several hunters, illegally hunting at night, on the Cherokee Plantation 17 miles south of Walterboro.
Warden Floyd, Warden Thomas Goethe (Warden Floyd's nephew), and the plantation superintendent were approaching the group of hunters when one of the hunters produced a double-barrel shotgun and shot Warden Floyd in the chest at close range. Warden Goethe returned fire, striking the suspect once in the head.
Warden Floyd was rushed to the Colleton County Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The 42-year-old suspect recovered from his wound and was charged with murder. He plead guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled on January 14, 1960.
Warden Floyd had served with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-7A269F8E- 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.
Game Warden Floyd gave the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Floyd.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Game Warden Frank A. Floyd 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 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank A. Floyd's cause is highlighted.
How Frank A. Floyd Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank A. Floyd is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank A. Floyd was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from South Carolina Department of Natural Resources are honored on badge.nw.
