Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Marion Nettles was stabbed to death by a man he arrested at the bus terminal for disorderly conduct. The subject refused to pay for a sandwich and then got argumentative and abusive with the server.
The subject attacked Policeman Nettles with a knife as they got out of the police car at the police station on Benson Street. Policeman Nettles, stabbed in the head and neck, succumbed to his wounds approximately 45 minutes later. With the use of bloodhounds, the suspect was tracked down eight hours later and arrested.
The 38-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life.
One of his sons, Patrolman Norris Nettles, a patrolman with the South Carolina Highway Patrol, died in the line of duty on January 4, 1942.
Policeman Nettles had served with the Walterboro Police Department for seven years.
After Policeman Nettles' death, a South Carolina State Representative, upset because Policeman Nettles did not find and take the knife, introduced legislation for a police training center, which finally opened in 1968. Since 1946, the five bloodhounds Monty, Dixie, Brownie, Junior, and Star had an incredible record for catching criminals and recovering money and property worth thousands of dollars.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-56A53AC2- 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.
Policeman Nettles gave the Walterboro Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Walterboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Nettles.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman Marion Clifton Nettles Sr. 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 Walterboro Police Department, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Marion Clifton Nettles Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Marion Clifton Nettles Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Marion Clifton Nettles Sr. is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Marion Clifton Nettles Sr. was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Walterboro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
