Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Marshal Robert Gaston succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained eight months earlier while he and the mayor attempted to arrest a man who had threatened the mayor's life.
The subject's brother had sent a telegram to the mayor alerting him to the threat and notifying him that the subject had gone to Aiken. The mayor informed Chief Gaston and the two proceeded to a saloon where the subject had gone. They encountered the man who stated he would submit to arrest. As they walked out of the business the man suddenly produced a revolver and shot the mayor. He then shot Chief Gaston in the chest as the chief struck him with a club.
The mayor and Chief Gaston both returned fire, killing the subject. The mayor succumbed to his wounds two days later. Chief Gaston remained in very poor health for several months before returning to work. His health suddenly declined again and he passed away on August 18th, 1893.
Chief Gaston had served with the Aiken Police Department for approximately three years.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
133 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Chief Marshal Gaston gave the Aiken Department of Public Safety 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of South Carolina. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief Marshal Robert Gaston 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 Aiken Department of Public Safety, 6 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 85.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Gaston's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Gaston Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Gaston is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Gaston was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Aiken Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw.
