Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Phillip Michael Deese was killed in a head-on traffic collision.
He was driving westbound on I-26 in an unincorporated part of Dorchester County when a pick-up truck crossed the median, hitting the deputy's patrol car head on. The crash killed the deputy, the driver of the pick-up, and Deputy Deese's K9 partner, Sonja.
Deputy Deese had served the Dorchester County Sheriff's office for almost seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, child, and two step-children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-B67A9989- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Deese gave the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. George community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Deese.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Phillip Michael Deese is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In SC, 137 of 438 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 31.3% of this state's fallen. That is 0.3 percentage points above the national rate of 31%.
At Dorchester County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 4 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Phillip Michael Deese's cause is highlighted.
How Phillip Michael Deese Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Phillip Michael Deese is highlighted in Mar.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Dorchester County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
