Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff George Tilley died from a gunshot inflicted by a murder suspect he was taking to the St. Matthews jail. Sheriff Tilley died at the Tri-County hospital eight days later as a result of the wound in his side. The suspect had been arrested for the shooting death of another man. Sheriff Tilley was transporting the suspect alone when about two miles outside St. Matthews, the handcuffed suspect pulled a pistol from his boot and fired. The suspect fled as the car crashed into a ditch. The Sheriff fired five times at the fleeing suspect. Sheriff Tilley was found about an hour later by a local farmer. The suspect was taken into custody the same day. He was convicted of Sheriff Tilley's murder and sentenced to death. He was executed in the electric chair on January 9, 1948.
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- 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.
Sheriff Tilley served with the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the St Matthews community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Tilley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff George David Tilley 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. George David Tilley's cause is highlighted.
How George David Tilley Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1948
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George David Tilley is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George David Tilley was killed by handgun.