Joseph C. Rodgers

Florence County Sheriff's Office — Effingham, SC

Felonious

End of Watch April 9, 1997

Age 25

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

The Vigil Panel 143 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 5

Incident

Deputy Joseph Rodgers was shot and killed by a murder suspect after he had responded to a call that the suspect had been sighted. The suspect, who had committed a double-murder two days prior, shot and killed Deputy Rodgers when he arrived on the scene. The suspect then stole his cruiser and began to leave the scene but was stopped at the end of the road by another deputy and a state trooper. As the suspect jumped out of the cruiser, the two officers opened fire, killing him. Both officers received awards for their heroism. Deputy Rodgers had served with the agency for four years.

Survivors

He is survived by his fiancée, parents, and brother.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-SC-174712A9
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.
Deputy Sheriff Rodgers gave the Florence County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Effingham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Rodgers.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Florence County Sheriff's Office

Location Effingham, SC

Platform Identity fcso.florence.sc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 9, 1997

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

Age 25

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Shot and killed by other officers

Deputy Sheriff Joseph C. Rodgers 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 Florence County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.

Florence County Sheriff's Office

of 6 officers

33.3% Felonious

SC — Statewide

271

of 438 officers

61.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious