Incident
Corporal Dennis Lyden was shot and killed during a traffic stop of a suspicious vehicle on State Highway 544 between Conway and Socastee at about 3:00 am.
As Corporal Lyden talked with the two occupants he was attacked and beaten with a flashlight. One of the suspects then shot him with his own weapon as he lay on the ground. Both subjects were arrested within two days of the incident and charged with murder.
In June 2001 the shooter was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death. The second subject was acquitted of the murder charges.
Corporal Lyden was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He had served with the Horry County Police Department for five years and had previously with the Marion City Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-D502DA1B- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 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.
Corporal Lyden gave the Horry County Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Conway community. Thank you 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
Dennis James Lyden served in the Marine Corps (1973â1976) before joining law enforcement.
Corporal Dennis James Lyden is one of 17,558 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,585 officers honored here.
In SC, 271 of 440 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.6% of this state's fallen. That is 7.7 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Horry County Police Department, 2 of 6 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. Dennis James Lyden's cause is highlighted.
How Dennis James Lyden Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dennis James Lyden is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Military Service
Dennis James Lyden served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1973–1976) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Dennis James Lyden’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Horry County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.




