Sherman Robert Massey

Laurens County Sheriff's Office — Laurens, SC

Felonious

End of Watch September 20, 1977

Age 59

The Vigil Panel 119 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 5

Incident

Deputy Massey was shot and killed as he and two other deputies attempted to serve a warrant stemming from a domestic disturbance. When they arrived at the scene they encountered the suspect holding a .38 caliber handgun. The deputies were able to convince the man to place the gun in his belt, but the man suddenly grabbed the gun again and opened fire. Deputy Massey was fatally struck in the throat and one of the other deputies was wounded in the abdomen. The third deputy was able to return fire and killed the suspect.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-SC-21462DFA
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 Massey served with the Laurens County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Laurens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Massey.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Laurens County Sheriff's Office

Location Laurens, SC

Platform Identity lcso.laurens.sc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 20, 1977

Age 59

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber

Offender Shot and killed

Deputy Sheriff Sherman Robert Massey 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 Laurens County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Laurens County Sheriff's Office

of 6 officers

50% Felonious

SC — Statewide

271

of 438 officers

61.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious