Incident
Detective Micheal Doty succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained the previous day while searching for a subject who had shot a York County Sheriff's canine handler earlier in the night.
Deputies had originally responded to a domestic disturbance at which a man had attacked his wife before fleeing into a wooded area near his home. The man ambushed a canine officer who was attempting to locate him, wounding him. The subject also shot a law enforcement helicopter that was assisting with the search.
Following the wounding of the canine officer, a SWAT team responded to the scene to continue searching for the man in the 1400 block of South Parham Road.
The man set up a second ambush, wounding Detective Doty and two other members of the SWAT team before being shot and wounded.
Detective Doty was flown to a hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he died the following day.
On May 22, 2018, to avoid the death penalty, the 47-year-old suspect pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder, and several other charges. He was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
Detective Doty served first with the York Police Department and later with the York County Sheriff's Office for 12 years. He is survived by his parents and five siblings. His twin brother also serves with the York County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents and five siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-1C96162C- 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.
Detective Doty gave the York County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Doty.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Micheal Robert Doty 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 York 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. Micheal Robert Doty's cause is highlighted.
How Micheal Robert Doty Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Micheal Robert Doty is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Micheal Robert Doty was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from York County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.

