Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Willie Peeples succumbed to wounds he received when he was shot during a high-speed pursuit of a motorcyclist on I-95 near Walterboro. Due to some problem with the motorcycle, the man was forced to stop at SC 61 and US 15. As Patrolman Peeples got out of his car, the suspect shot him three times and then ran into nearby woods. Officers, with the use of bloodhounds, apprehended the suspect a few hours later. The 24-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He was granted a new trial after the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled his first trial was mishandled. The suspect who claimed he shot Patrolman Peeples because he shot at him first was acquitted and released from prison on November 10, 1981. On August 26, 1987, he beat a 16-year-old boy at his home in Walterboro, leaving him in critical condition. He then forced a woman into his car and drove away in a very intoxicated condition. Minutes later, he hit a car head-on occupied by three women, leaving one in critical condition. The 38-year-old woman died in a hospital a month later. The suspect was convicted of kidnapping, manslaughter, and deadly assault and sentenced to life without parole. In 2021 he was still in prison. Patrolman Peeples had served with the South Carolina Highway Patrol for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five daughters, his mother, two sisters, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-C4A26B79- 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.
Patrolman Peeples gave the South Carolina Highway Patrol 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of South Carolina. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Peeples.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Willie Edward Peeples 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 Highway Patrol, 20 of 52 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 38.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Willie Edward Peeples's cause is highlighted.
How Willie Edward Peeples Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Willie Edward Peeples is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Willie Edward Peeples was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
51 officers from South Carolina Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
