Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Robert Maxwell was shot and killed after being ambushed while on his way to court in Pickensville, South Carolina. He was riding his horse and attempting to cross the Saluda River, near where the modern-day Piedmont Mill Dam is located. The suspects ambushed him because he was a law enforcement officer. One man was arrested but acquitted at trial. Sheriff Maxwell was a veteran of the Revolutionary War. He was survived by his wife and son and is buried in the Maxwell family cemetery, on what was his plantation near Ware Place, Greenville County, South Carolina. Washington District consisted of what later became Pendleton County, Greenville County, Anderson County, and Pickens County.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son and is buried in the Maxwell family cemetery, on what was his plantation near Ware Place, Greenville County, South Carolina.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-FA279F28- 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 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.
Sheriff Maxwell gave the Washington District Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pickensville 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
Robert Maxwell served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sheriff Robert Maxwell 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Maxwell's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Maxwell Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Maxwell is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Maxwell was killed by gun; unknown type.