James P. Farmer

South Carolina State Dispensary Commission — Columbia, SC

Felonious

End of Watch February 22, 1908

The Vigil Panel 22 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 8

Incident

Dispensary Constable James Farmer was shot and killed as he and another constable served a search warrant at a blind tiger at 1216 Gadsden Street in Columbia.

The proprietor of the location refused to let them into the building after claiming that several women were getting dressed. As the other constable forced his way through the door the man opened fire with a sawed-off Winchester rifle, striking Constable Farmer. The man was arrested moments later by a Columbia police officer who was nearby.

Constable Farmer was taken to a local hospital where he died a short time later.

Constable Farmer was survived by his wife.

Survivors

Constable Farmer was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Dispensary Constable Farmer served with the South Carolina State Dispensary Commission.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Dispensary Constable Farmer.

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

Agency

Department South Carolina State Dispensary Commission

Location Columbia, SC

Platform Identity scsdc.richland.sc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 22, 1908

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle; Winchester

Offender Charged with murder

Dispensary Constable James P. Farmer 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 South Carolina State Dispensary Commission, 9 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

South Carolina State Dispensary Commission

of 9 officers

100% Felonious

SC — Statewide

271

of 438 officers

61.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious