Roll of Honor

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Guard

Ernest L. Drake

Greenville County Chain Gang — Greenville, SC

Felonious

End of Watch August 20, 1944

Age 59

The Vigil Panel 81 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Guard Ernest Drake died from wounds sustained two days earlier when he was attacked with an axe by two inmates during an escape attempt.

He was supervising a chain gang working on the Geer Highway in Marietta when the two attacked him and struck him with the axe. The men escaped but were quickly recaptured and charged with murder.

Guard Drake was a widower and was survived by his daughter, sister, brother, half-sister, and five half-brothers.

Survivors

Guard Drake was a widower and was survived by his daughter, sister, brother, half-sister, and five half-brothers.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-SC-7D861550
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.
Guard Drake served with the Greenville County Chain Gang.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Drake.

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

Agency

Department Greenville County Chain Gang

Location Greenville, SC

Platform Identity gccg.greenville.sc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 20, 1944

Age 59

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Assault

Weapon Edged weapon; Axe

Offender Arrested

Guard Ernest L. Drake 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 Greenville County Chain Gang, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Greenville County Chain Gang

of 2 officers

100% Felonious

SC — Statewide

271

of 438 officers

61.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ernest L. Drake's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Ernest L. Drake Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Arrested

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ernest L. Drake is highlighted in Aug.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ernest L. Drake was killed by edged weapon; axe.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Greenville County Chain Gang are honored on badge.nw.