Theodore Turner
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

Theodore Turner

Felonious
End of Watch April 29, 1971
Age 29
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Badge 16
The Vigil Panel 108 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Ted Turner was shot and killed while he and another deputy served commitment papers on a mental subject. The man was permitted by the two deputies to obtain some personal items before being removed from the home near the Springdale Race Course. As the two deputies spoke on the front porch, the subject returned to the door and fired a shot from a 410 gauge shotgun, striking Deputy Turner in the back of the head. The 51-year-old subject was arrested following a massive manhunt and committed. In January of 1982, hospital officials deemed him competent to stand trial and returned him to Kershaw County. On August 19, 1982, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity at the time of the murder. He was released, but he voluntarily recommitted himself back into the mental hospital for continued treatment. Deputy Turner had served with the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office for two years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-C526EF1E
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 Theodore. 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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Turner gave the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lugoff community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Turner.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Lugoff, SC
Platform Identity kcso.kershaw.sc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 29, 1971
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Age 29
Badge Number 16
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Shotgun; 410 gauge
Offender Committed

Deputy Sheriff Theodore Turner 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 Kershaw County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Kershaw County Sheriff's Office
3
of 3 officers
100% Felonious
SC — Statewide
271
of 438 officers
61.9% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Theodore Turner's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Theodore Turner Compares

Age at End of Watch
29
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
2
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Committed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Theodore Turner is highlighted in Apr.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Theodore Turner was killed by shotgun; 410 gauge.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from Kershaw County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.