Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer William Clyde was shot and killed in the area of Bradford Springs, South Carolina, while attempting to arrest a fugitive who had escaped from a chain gang two months earlier.
He had obtained information that the subject was at a home in the area and went to that location along with a constable to locate him. As they searched the house Officer Clyde found the man hiding under a bed and called out to him to surrender.
The man opened fire with a shotgun, striking Officer Clyde in the abdomen. The constable pulled Officer Clyde to safety and then went to alert a doctor. Officer Clyde died from his wound two hours later.
The subject who shot him fled the scene and it is unknown if he was ever captured. A female occupant of the house was charged with being an accomplice before the fact.
Police Officer Clyde was survived by his wife and young child. He was predeceased by a 2-year-old daughter.
Survivors
Police Officer Clyde was survived by his wife and young child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-009C7FB0- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Clyde served with the Sumter Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Sumter community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Clyde.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer William Alvah Clyde 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%.
At Sumter Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Alvah Clyde's cause is highlighted.
How William Alvah Clyde Compares
Offender Outcome
Never apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Alvah Clyde is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Alvah Clyde was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Sumter Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
