Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Walter Holcombe was shot and killed after he and several other officers went to investigate reports of several hobos along Higgins Creek near the Alice Cotton Mill.
When the officers arrived the suspects opened fire on them, fatally wounding Chief Holcombe. The shooter was apprehended and sentenced to six years in prison after pleading self-defense.
Chief Holcombe had served with the Easley Police Department for five years and had previously served with the Central Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-C2798976- 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.
Chief of Police Holcombe gave the Easley Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Easley community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Holcombe.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Walter C. Holcombe 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 Easley Police Department, 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. Walter C. Holcombe's cause is highlighted.
How Walter C. Holcombe Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to six years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter C. Holcombe is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter C. Holcombe was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Easley Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
