Roll of Honor
Incident
Corporal A.J. Coursen and Lance Corporal Dana Tate were shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call on Riley Road, in Burton, at approximately 4:00 pm.
A female had called the sheriff's office and complained about her and her young child being held against their will by her boyfriend. While the deputies were investigating, they were shot by the boyfriend, who was armed with a semi-automatic rifle and was hiding inside a bedroom closet.
Deputy Coursen was killed, but Deputy Tate was able to shoot and wound the suspect before he died.
The suspect was later taken into custody after a search. The man was sentenced to death in 2003.
Corporal Coursen had served with the Beaufort County Sheriff's Department for one year and had previously served with the LaGrange Police Department (Ohio).
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and stepdaughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-1AB164ED- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Dyke. Claim this record.
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.
Corporal Coursen gave the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Beaufort community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Coursen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Corporal Dyke "A. J." Coursen 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 Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 5 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. Dyke "A. J." Coursen's cause is highlighted.
How Dyke "A. J." Coursen Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dyke "A. J." Coursen is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dyke "A. J." Coursen was killed by rifle; sks.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Beaufort County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
