Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Walter Dukes was shot and killed and Deputy Sheriff Gary Fairy was shot and fatally wounded when they attempted to serve a warrant on a man at his home.
Earlier in the day the suspect had been causing a scene and brandishing a weapon, which was confiscated. The suspect then threatened the Mayor with another firearm, demanding his previous weapon be returned, which lead to a warrant being issued for his arrest.
When Sheriff Dukes and Deputy Sheriff Fairy attempted to issue the warrant, the suspect asked, and was granted, permission to get his hat, but instead he grabbed a gun and opened fire. Chief Dukes died en route to the hospital in Orangeburg. Deputy Fairy was shot through the chest but was able to return fire and killed the suspect. Deputy Fairy died at the county hospital four days later.
Earlier in the day the suspect had been causing a scene and brandishing a weapon, which was confiscated. The suspect then threatened the Mayor with another firearm, demanding his previous weapon be returned, which lead to a warrant being issued for his arrest.
This was my Great-Grandfather whom I never had the honor of meeting. I heard his story foe many years and am so glad to have this account.
Heather Hardin Holliday great-Granddaughter May 28th, 2021
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-SC-8CFD8919- Stewardship
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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.
Chief of Police Dukes served with the Branchville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Branchville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Dukes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Walter S. Dukes 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 Branchville 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. Walter S. Dukes's cause is highlighted.
How Walter S. Dukes Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter S. Dukes is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter S. Dukes was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Branchville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
