Roll of Honor
Incident
State Constable Robert Bailey was shot and killed as he conducted a vehicle stop on Greenwood Street in Lincolnville.
Gunfire was heard by witnesses and radio contact with the constable was lost. When officers arrived at the scene, Constable Bailey and his patrol car were missing. His constable's cap, two pistols, several shell casings, and a large pool of his blood were found in the street, and also in the yard of a nearby home. Approximately one hour later his patrol car was found burning about five miles away by a state trooper.
A five day search for Constable Bailey ended when his body was discovered in a shallow grave in Orangeburg County about 50 miles from where he was last seen.
The driver of the vehicle was later arrested and charged with Constable Bailey's murder. Four other people, including the suspect's girlfriend, were charged with aiding and abetting when it was determined that they helped the suspect hide the constables body. On February 9th, 2010, the suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Constable Bailey had served as a volunteer South Carolina State Constable for five years and assisted the 1-person Lincolnville Police Department with patrol duties. He had previously served with the Dorchester County Sheriff's Department for 38 years.
Survivors
He is survived by three children and three grand-children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-6A301986- 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
43 years. You could have gone home.
State Constable Bailey gave the South Carolina State Constable 43 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, State Constable Bailey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
State Constable Robert Lee Bailey 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 South Carolina State Constable, 5 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Lee Bailey's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Lee Bailey Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Lee Bailey is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Lee Bailey was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from South Carolina State Constable are honored on badge.nw.
