Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Tony Way was shot and killed by a person who was hostile towards the police and sought revenge. Patrolman Way and another officer responded to Rose's Hideaway Bar on Rivers Avenue in response to an alarm. Upon their arrival, Patrolman Way went to the rear of the building where the suspect was waiting. The suspect took off running, followed by Officer Way in foot pursuit. The suspect then ran around the corner of the building and stopped, turned around, and fired one round, striking Patrolman Way on the right side after he came around the building. The suspect then turned and tried to run again as Patrolman Way returned fire, striking the suspect twice in the lower back. The suspect then spun around and fired two more rounds at Patrolman Way, the first round missed, and the second round struck Patrolman Way near the heart. Patrolman Way returned fire, striking the suspect four more times in the abdominal area. The suspect died at the scene within minutes, and Patrolman Way died shortly thereafter at the hospital. The suspect had returned to the bar that night to seek revenge on a North Charleston Police Department canine team who had arrested him ten days prior at the exact location. The canine, Cougar, was utilized to catch the fleeing suspect when he refused to stop on the commands of the canine handler. Patrolman Way was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the North Charleston Police Department for one year. He was survived by his wife and son. His father was a Sergeant with the Highway Patrol. In 2024, his son graduated from Basic Detention Training at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. On February 18th, 2022, a portion of Rivers Avenue was renamed Robert Anthony 'Tony' Way Road in honor of Officer Way.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-BA88DB99- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Way gave the North Charleston Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the North Charleston community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Robert Anthony Way served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Robert Anthony Way 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 North Charleston Police Dept., 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Anthony Way's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Anthony Way Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Anthony Way is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Anthony Way was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from North Charleston Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
