Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff James Kennedy was shot and killed after he attempted to arrest a suspect who and just shot a man over a two dollar card game. After the suspect shot the man, he was followed by two policemen, but held them at bay with his pistol until Sheriff Kennedy arrived. Sheriff Kennedy called to the suspect, who was hiding in his father-in-laws house, to come out. When the suspect exited the house, he started firing. Sheriff Kennedy was shot in the chest and the suspect was wounded twice in the leg by Sheriff Kennedy and the two patrolmen. The suspect then began to reload his pistol, but was shot and killed by the dying Sheriff Kennedy, who was on the ground. Sheriff Kennedy died minuets later from his wound.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-E1FB0E13- 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.
Sheriff Kennedy served with the Abbeville County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Abbeville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Kennedy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff James Robert Kennedy 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 Abbeville County Sheriff's Dept., 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Robert Kennedy's cause is highlighted.
How James Robert Kennedy Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed by sheriff Kennedy
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Robert Kennedy is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Robert Kennedy was killed by handgun; pistol.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Abbeville County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
