Sherman Robert Massey
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

Sherman Robert Massey

Veteran → Felonious
End of Watch September 20, 1977
Age 59
The Vigil Panel 119 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Massey was shot and killed as he and two other deputies attempted to serve a warrant stemming from a domestic disturbance. When they arrived at the scene they encountered the suspect holding a .38 caliber handgun. The deputies were able to convince the man to place the gun in his belt, but the man suddenly grabbed the gun again and opened fire. Deputy Massey was fatally struck in the throat and one of the other deputies was wounded in the abdomen. The third deputy was able to return fire and killed the suspect.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-21462DFA
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Sherman. Claim this record.

Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. Sherman is one person.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Massey served with the Laurens County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Laurens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Massey.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Sheriff's Office
Location Laurens, Laurens County, SC
Platform Identity lcso.laurens.sc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 20, 1977
Age 59
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

Military Service

Sherman Robert Massey served in the the United States military (1942–1943) before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Deputy Sheriff Sherman Robert Massey 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 97,784 officers honored here.

In SC, 272 of 442 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.5% of this state's fallen. That is 61.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Laurens County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Laurens County Sheriff's Office
3
of 6 officers
50% Felonious
SC — Statewide
272
of 442 officers
61.5% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,784 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Sherman Robert Massey's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Sherman Robert Massey Compares

Age at Death
59
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Sherman Robert Massey is highlighted in Sep.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Sherman Robert Massey was killed by handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Military Service

Sherman Robert Massey served in the United States military (1942–1943) before joining law enforcement.

Visit Sherman Robert Massey’s page on salute.nw →

His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.