Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant James Waters and Deputy William Doster were shot and killed while serving a warrant to a local farmer. The deputies, and a third deputy, had gone to the location and served the warrant. The suspect paid the fine on the spot and was issued a bond receipt. As the deputies returned to the patrol car the suspect stepped back out of his house and opened fire on them with a 12-gauge shotgun. Lieutenant Waters and Deputy Doster were both killed. The third deputy was seriously wounded. The suspect drove to the Rock Hill Police Department where he turned himself in. He was convicted of both murders and sentenced to life. He died in prison while serving his sentence. Lieutenant Waters had served with the agency for 20 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-B475ECF7- 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 James. 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Waters gave the Chester County Sheriff's Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Chester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Waters.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant James Brice Waters 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 Chester County Sheriff's Dept., 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Brice Waters's cause is highlighted.
How James Brice Waters Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Brice Waters is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Brice Waters was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Chester County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
