Roll of Honor
Incident
Captain Herman Stello was killed when his throat was slit by three inmates during an escape attempt from the Seven Mile Stockade at Ashley Junction.
The three inmates had feigned illness in order to remain at the stockade while the other prisoners worked on the chain gang for the Drainage and Sanitary Commission. One of the inmates asked Captain Stello for water and when he opened the door to deliver it he was attacked. He was struck over the head with the bucket before one of the inmates cut his throat with a knife.
The three inmates then placed Captain Stello into their cell along with two other inmates who refused to participate in the escape. All three subjects fled the camp. The man who cut Captain Stello's throat was arrested a short time later. He was convicted of Captain Stello's murder, sentenced to death, and subsequently executed by hanging on January 18th, 1908.
Captain Stello had served with the Charleston County Chain Gang for approximately two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and four daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-1F43A4C7- 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.
Captain Stello served with the Charleston County Chain Gang.
Thank you for your service to the North Charleston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Stello.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Captain Herman G. Stello 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Herman G. Stello's cause is highlighted.
How Herman G. Stello Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Herman G. Stello is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Herman G. Stello was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Charleston County Chain Gang are honored on badge.nw.