Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Valdon Keith was shot and killed while chasing armed robbery suspects on State Park Road, near Worley Road, in Greenville County. The two suspects had robbed the Family Mart on East North Street and were escaping when they were spotted by deputies. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle on State Park Road. One police vehicle was in front of the suspect vehicle when the suspect vehicle pulled to the right of Constable Keith's vehicle and opened fire with a 9mm handgun, killing him. One of the suspects was captured a few days later. He had recently been paroled from the South Carolina State Prison after serving a sentence for armed robbery. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life plus 25 years. In 1994 he and a fellow inmate escaped from prison. He was captured in Louisiana not long after his story aired on "America's Most Wanted". He died in prison of a heart attack August 7th, 2005.
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BO-US-SC-52979A4B- Stewardship
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- 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.
State Constable Keith gave the South Carolina State Constable 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, State Constable Keith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
State Constable Valdon Osborn Keith is one of 17,558 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,585 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%.
At South Carolina State Constable, 5 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Valdon Osborn Keith's cause is highlighted.
How Valdon Osborn Keith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Valdon Osborn Keith is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Valdon Osborn Keith was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from South Carolina State Constable are honored on badge.nw.
