Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Jerry Shelton was shot and killed at approximately 1 a.m. by two suspects after arresting them following a traffic stop. The subjects were traveling at 60 miles per hour in a 35 miles per hour zone. During the stop, Chief Shelton noticed that there were open alcohol containers and drugs in the vehicle. He transported the male and female suspects to the police station at the Cottageville Town Hall building, where the female produced a handgun and gave it to her boyfriend, the male suspect. The boyfriend then shot Chief Shelton several times. Both suspects were later apprehended two weeks later. The female was acquitted. The male plead guilty and was sentenced to life. He has a parole hearing in August 2023. Chief Shelton served with the Cottageville Police Department as the Chief of Police for over one year.
Survivors
He is survived by his mother and father, three brothers, two sisters, and a fiancee.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-9BEE16A0- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Jerry. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
You barely got started.
Chief of Police Shelton gave the Cottageville Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Cottageville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Shelton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Jerry Wayne Shelton 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jerry Wayne Shelton's cause is highlighted.
How Jerry Wayne Shelton Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jerry Wayne Shelton is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jerry Wayne Shelton was killed by handgun.