Roll of Honor
Incident
Rural Police Officer Elliott Harris was shot and killed after he stopped a man and his wife in their car on Highway 21 near Fort Mill and attempted to arrest the man for reckless driving.
As a struggle ensued with the man, his wife snatched Officer Harris' revolver from his holster and shot him four times. Unable to start their car, the couple took the slain officer's car and sped on to Charlotte, North Carolina, where they surrendered to the Charlotte Police.
The slaying immediately evolved into a triple tragedy. The woman's mother suffered a heart attack and died when she was told what happened. A man racing by motorcycle to tell Officer Harris' wife of his death collided with an automobile and was killed instantly.
The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. Because she was pregnant, her execution date was to be determined after she delivered her child. Public outrage over a mother being executed persuaded Governor Ibra C. Blackwood to commute her sentence to life on January 10th, 1933. She was pardoned by Governor Olin D. Johnston on April 10th, 1945. For his part in the murder, her husband was sentenced to seven months in prison.
Officer Harris was survived by his wife and four children.
On April 13, 2017, Rural Police Officer Elliot Harris' grandson, Master Police Officer Jason Gregory Harris, died in the line of duty from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash.
Survivors
Officer Harris was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-219492CE- 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.
Rural Police Officer Harris served with the York County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Rural Police Officer Harris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Rural Police Officer Elliott P. Harris 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. Elliott P. Harris's cause is highlighted.
How Elliott P. Harris Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned in 1945
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Elliott P. Harris is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Elliott P. Harris was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from York County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
