Roll of Honor
Incident
Captain John Sanders was stabbed to death by six inmates during an escape attempt from the South Carolina State Penitentiary in Columbia, South Carolina. The escape attempt started when one of the six inmates entered Captain Sanders' office to discuss a personal matter he had made up. As the two spoke, a second inmate entered the office without permission. The two inmates tied up Captain Sanders and demanded that he bring a car to the door so they could escape. When Captain Sanders refused the demand, one of the inmates stabbed him. The other four inmates then entered the office. Captain Sanders summoned his assistant and apprised him of the situation and the inmates' demands. The assistant called for reinforcements, and more than 200 law enforcement officers responded to the penitentiary. After a 3-hour standoff, tear gas was fired into the office. As officers stormed the office, an inmate stabbed Captain Sanders in the chest, just below the heart. All six inmates were taken into custody. They were all convicted of murdering Captain Sanders and executed in the electric chair on March 24, 1939. Captain Sanders had served with the South Carolina Department of Corrections for seven years and had served in law enforcement for 37 years. He had previously served with the Anderson Police Department, Anderson County Magistrate's Office, Anderson County Sheriff's Office, and the South Carolina State Constabulary. He was survived by his wife, four sons, and one daughter. South Carolina State Penitentiary in Columbia was the primary state prison until it was demolished in 1999.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four sons, and one daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-8BD1755C- 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
37 years. You could have gone home.
Captain Sanders gave the South Carolina Department of Corrections 37 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the people of South Carolina. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Sanders.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Captain John Olin Sanders 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 Department of Corrections, 3 of 3 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. John Olin Sanders's cause is highlighted.
How John Olin Sanders Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1939
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Olin Sanders is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Olin Sanders was killed by edged weapon.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from South Carolina Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
