Roll of Honor
James P. Farmer
Incident
Dispensary Constable James Farmer was shot and killed as he and another constable served a search warrant at a blind tiger at 1216 Gadsden Street in Columbia.
The proprietor of the location refused to let them into the building after claiming that several women were getting dressed. As the other constable forced his way through the door the man opened fire with a sawed-off Winchester rifle, striking Constable Farmer. The man was arrested moments later by a Columbia police officer who was nearby.
Constable Farmer was taken to a local hospital where he died a short time later.
Constable Farmer was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Constable Farmer was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-880C8F16- 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.
Dispensary Constable Farmer served with the South Carolina State Dispensary Commission.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Dispensary Constable Farmer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Dispensary Constable James P. Farmer 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 State Dispensary Commission, 9 of 9 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. James P. Farmer's cause is highlighted.
How James P. Farmer Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James P. Farmer is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James P. Farmer was killed by rifle; winchester.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from South Carolina State Dispensary Commission are honored on badge.nw.
