Roll of Honor
Incident
Detention Officer Alvin Glenn was beaten and strangled after being attacked by three inmates during an escape attempt at the Richland County Detention Center.
The incident occurred when he was locking prisoners back in their cells. Officer Glenn was overpowered by three inmates who handcuffed, beat and strangled him. The inmates then made their way to the roof of the jail but were injured when they jumped to the ground. All three were taken into custody before they made their escape.
Officer Glenn was the only guard overseeing 64 inmates in the medium security area when he was attacked.
The inmate found to be responsible for Officer Glenn's death was serving a life sentence for murder. On July 26th, 2006, he was convicted of murdering Officer Glenn and received another life sentence.
Officer Glenn had served with the Richland County Detention Center for five years.
The Richland County Detention Center was renamed the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in his honor.
Survivors
He is survived by four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-412BF717- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Alvin. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detention Officer Glenn gave the Richland County Detention Center 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detention Officer Glenn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detention Officer Alvin Sherman Glenn 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. Alvin Sherman Glenn's cause is highlighted.
How Alvin Sherman Glenn Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Alvin Sherman Glenn is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.