Roll of Honor
Joseph John Matuskovic
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joe Matuskovic was shot and killed as he and several other deputies responded to a disturbance call at an apartment complex at the intersection of Ashley River Road and Carriage Lane.
Two deputies working an overtime assignment at the complex had requested assistance from additional deputies to help deal with the subject who had been pounding on apartment doors and vehicles in the parking lot. The man then went inside his apartment. As the deputies attempted to make contact with the man he opened fire through the apartment door using an AK-47 style rifle, striking Deputy Matuskovic and another deputy.
Both deputies were pulled to safety and transported to the Medical University of South Carolina, where Deputy Matuskovic succumbed to his wounds.
The Charleston Police Department SWAT team made entry into the home several hours later and found the subject dead of a gunshot wound. It was determined that the subject had been shot at least twice by return gunfire and died as a result.
Mr. Larry Britton, an employee with the Charleston County’s Technology Services and Radio Operations, suffered a fatal heart attack while assisting the Charleston County Sheriff's Office with joint communications during the event. Mr. Britton also served as a South Carolina State Constable, but was not on duty in that capacity at the time of his death.
Deputy Matuskovic had served in law enforcement for 17 years.
Survivors
He is survived by three children and his fiancee.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-A5952BAB- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Matuskovic gave the Charleston County Sheriff's Office 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the North Charleston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Matuskovic.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Joseph John Matuskovic 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 Charleston County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph John Matuskovic's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph John Matuskovic Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph John Matuskovic is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph John Matuskovic was killed by rifle; ak-47.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Charleston County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
