Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Tony Breland was shot and killed while he and other deputies attempted to serve a warrant at a home at 105 Lewis Street in Walterboro. Two other deputies were attempting to arrest the man on a warrant for brandishing a firearm. The man refused to come out of the home and told the deputies he would shoot them if they came inside. As one of the deputies opened the screen door the man shot him in the chest. The deputies requested backup and Deputy Breland responded to assist. He was attempting to climb through a window into the home when the man shot him. He was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The subject who shot him was found guilty of manslaughter and died while in prison. Deputy Breland had served with the Colleton County Sheriff's Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, parents, brother, sister, and grandmother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-0A5BA2A0- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Breland gave the Colleton County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Walterboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Breland.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Stephen Anthony Breland 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 Colleton County Sheriff's Dept., 2 of 4 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. Stephen Anthony Breland's cause is highlighted.
How Stephen Anthony Breland Compares
Offender Outcome
Deceased
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Stephen Anthony Breland is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Stephen Anthony Breland was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Colleton County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
