Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Howell was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance on Boyer Road at approximately 1:30 am.
Deputy Howell was approaching the home to assist the female victim remove belongings when the male subject opened fire with a shotgun, striking him in the neck.
The suspect, who was out of jail on bond on a charge of assault and battery with intent to kill, was then run over and killed by his wife as she attempted to leave the home.
Deputy Howell had served with the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office for three years and had served in law enforcement for a total of 16 years, having served as a jailer at the Berkeley County Detention Center from 1993 to 2000, with the Moncks Corner Police Department, the South Carolina Department of Corrections, the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office and as an officer with the Jamestown Police before taking a position with the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office.
Deputy Howell is survived by his wife and four sons.
Survivors
Deputy Howell is survived by his wife and four sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-B91D75EE- 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 Sheriff Howell gave the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Orangeburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Howell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Howell, Jr. 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 Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Howell, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How William Howell, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Killed by a civilian
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Howell, Jr. is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Howell, Jr. was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
