Roll of Honor
Incident
Rural Police Officer William Talley succumbed to injuries sustained the previous day when he was attacked by two people after responding to a disturbance in front of Cherry Hill Church.
He suffered a fractured skull when he was assaulted and beaten by the men.
One of the men was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to life in prison while the second was acquitted.
Officer Talley had served with the Oconee County Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-AA0CC64C- 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 William. 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Rural Police Officer Talley gave the Oconee County Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Walhalla community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Rural Police Officer Talley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Rural Police Officer William Henry Talley 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. William Henry Talley's cause is highlighted.
How William Henry Talley Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Henry Talley is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Henry Talley was killed by person.