Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ted Turner was shot and killed while he and another deputy served commitment papers on a mental subject. The man was permitted by the two deputies to obtain some personal items before being removed from the home near the Springdale Race Course. As the two deputies spoke on the front porch, the subject returned to the door and fired a shot from a 410 gauge shotgun, striking Deputy Turner in the back of the head. The 51-year-old subject was arrested following a massive manhunt and committed. In January of 1982, hospital officials deemed him competent to stand trial and returned him to Kershaw County. On August 19, 1982, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity at the time of the murder. He was released, but he voluntarily recommitted himself back into the mental hospital for continued treatment. Deputy Turner had served with the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-C526EF1E- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Turner gave the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lugoff community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Turner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Theodore Turner 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 Kershaw County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 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. Theodore Turner's cause is highlighted.
How Theodore Turner Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Theodore Turner is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Theodore Turner was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Kershaw County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
