Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Edgar Cooley was fatally shot by a 73-year-old man when he responded to a domestic disturbance call at Mississippi Street. The suspect surrendered to officers a short time later. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. Details of his incarceration and the reason for and date of his release are not known, but he died at his home in Honea Path on October 23, 1977. Patrolman Cooley had served with the Honea Path Police Department for five years and in law enforcement for 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four sons, and a daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-62B1049B- 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.
Patrolman Cooley gave the Honea Path Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Honea Path community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Cooley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Edgar Donald Cooley 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 Honea Path Police Department, 2 of 2 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. Edgar Donald Cooley's cause is highlighted.
How Edgar Donald Cooley Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edgar Donald Cooley is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edgar Donald Cooley was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Honea Path Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
