Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper John Clinton was shot and killed with his own service weapon while attempting to make an arrest after a traffic stop at 5:30 PM on Highway 72, nine miles west of Chester. While performing a routine traffic stop, Trooper Clinton discovered that the subject was driving a stolen vehicle and was wanted in Baltimore for an armed robbery charge. While handcuffing the man, a struggle ensued. The subject grabbed Trooper Clinton's service revolver and fired several shots, striking him in the face and chest. After dragging his body into a ditch, the subject fled, ditched his vehicle a few miles down the road, and hid in a wooded area. The subject was discovered in a cavelike area with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and the handcuffs still on his wrist. Trooper Clinton was transported to Chester Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Trooper Clinton had served with the South Carolina Highway Patrol for 16 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, son, grandchild, mother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-8DE98151- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Clinton gave the South Carolina Highway Patrol 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of South Carolina. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Clinton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper John R. Clinton is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In SC, 271 of 438 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this state's fallen. That is 7.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At South Carolina Highway Patrol, 20 of 52 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 38.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John R. Clinton's cause is highlighted.
How John R. Clinton Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John R. Clinton is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John R. Clinton was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
51 officers from South Carolina Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
