Roll of Honor

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Guard

Robert F. Stephens

Spartanburg County Detention Facility — Spartanburg, SC

Felonious

End of Watch October 26, 1914

Age 22

The Vigil Panel 29 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Guard Robert Stephens was killed after being struck on the head with a pick ax as he supervised a chaingang doing roadwork south of Arkwright, South Carolina.

After knocking the guard unconscious, the inmate then stole two pistols and $40 in cash from Guard Stephens' pockets before fleeing.

The man was arrested in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 19, 1916 and returned to Spartanburg County and charged with Guard Stephens' murder.

The inmate who was serving a life sentence for a 1913 murder was convicted of Guard Stephens' murder and sentenced to death. He appealed and was granted a new trial. On October 5, 1917, he died in prison while awaiting his new trial.

Robert, On today, the 110th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of this state of South Carolina. There is no tougher job in Law Enforcement than that of a Corrections Officer.

BPA Mike Casey United States Border Patrol(Retired) October 26th, 2024

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-SC-22F0A17A
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Guard Stephens served with the Spartanburg County Detention Facility.
Thank you for your service to the Spartanburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Stephens.

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

Agency

Department Spartanburg County Detention Facility

Type Corrections

Location Spartanburg, SC

Platform Identity scdfcorr.spartanburg.sc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 26, 1914

Age 22

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Assault

Weapon Edged weapon; Pick ax

Guard Robert F. Stephens is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,586 officers honored here.

In SC, 271 of 440 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.6% of this state's fallen. That is 7.7 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.

Spartanburg County Detention Facility

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

SC — Statewide

271

of 440 officers

61.6% Felonious

Nationwide

17,559

of 32,586 officers

53.9% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert F. Stephens's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,559 (53.9%)

Accident

10,094 (31%)

Illness

3,037 (9.3%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

334 (1%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

How Robert F. Stephens Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert F. Stephens is highlighted in Oct.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,516

May

1,504

Jun

1,442

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,517

Sep

1,491

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert F. Stephens was killed by edged weapon; pick ax.

Handgun

3,684

Gun

3,592

Gun; Unknown type

1,492

Shotgun

1,109

Rifle

935

Officer's handgun

909