Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief John Dennis was shot and killed while transporting two prisoners to the county jail. The two men had been arrested during a traffic stop. As he drove to jail one of the men produced a handgun and shot Chief Dennis in the back several times. He was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later. Both suspects were arrested a short time later.
The 40-year-old shooter was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison May 17, 1957. He was paroled in 1971. On August 8, 1978, he was one of four people who were shot and killed by a man in Cayce.
Chief Dennis had served with the agency for 9 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-39F1D83E- Stewardship
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- 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.
Chief of Police Dennis gave the Bonneau Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bonneau community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Dennis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police John Fleetwood Dennis 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Fleetwood Dennis's cause is highlighted.
How John Fleetwood Dennis Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Fleetwood Dennis is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.