Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Richey Finch was shot and killed during a traffic stop at 1:30 a.m. on Forest Drive near Gamewell Drive. During the stop, one of the occupants ran to the patrol car and opened fire, killing Patrolman Finch. The three subjects in the vehicle then fled and began to hitchhike on I-20. Deputy Sheriff Ernest Potter, of the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office, and his partner stopped the suspects several hours later when they observed them hitchhiking. As the deputies stepped out of their patrol car, one of the men opened fire, killing Deputy Potter and wounding his partner. One suspect surrendered to the Richland County Sheriff's Department and charged in connection with the shootings. One week later a second suspect surrendered to officers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, two weeks later. He was charged with the murder of Patrolman Finch, Deputy Potter, and the attempted murder of Deputy Potter's partner. The third suspect surrendered to Columbia Police Department officers three weeks after the shootings. On June 17, 1975, the older suspect was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison plus 99 years. The other two were convicted of being accessories to murder and sentenced to 10 years each. Patrolman Finch was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Forest Acres Police Department for over one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, sister, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-E69C47F2- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Richey is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Finch gave the Forest Acres Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Richey O'Brian Finch served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Richey O'Brian Finch 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In SC, 271 of 440 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.6% of this state's fallen. That is 61.6 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Forest Acres Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richey O'Brian Finch's cause is highlighted.
How Richey O'Brian Finch Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richey O'Brian Finch is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richey O'Brian Finch was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Richey O'Brian Finch served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Richey O'Brian Finch’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Forest Acres Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
