Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant James Waters and Deputy William Doster were shot and killed while serving a warrant to a local farmer. The deputies, and a third deputy, had gone to the location and served the warrant. The suspect paid the fine on the spot and was issued a bond receipt. As the deputies returned to the patrol car the suspect stepped back out of his house and opened fire on them with a 12-gauge shotgun. Lieutenant Waters and Deputy Doster were both killed. The third deputy was seriously wounded. The suspect drove to the Rock Hill Police Department where he turned himself in. He was convicted of both murders and sentenced to life. He died in prison while serving his sentence. Lieutenant Waters had served with the agency for 20 years.
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- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-B475ECF7- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Waters gave the Chester County Sheriff's Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Chester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Waters.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant James Brice Waters 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 Chester County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Brice Waters's cause is highlighted.
How James Brice Waters Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Brice Waters is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Brice Waters was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Chester County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
