Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Sam Willis was shot and killed while standing in his yard at 219 East Stone Avenue in Greenville by an assassin hired by the former sheriff of Greenville County. After Sheriff Willis was murdered, the former sheriff was appointed to the position until the new election. He attempted to frame Sheriff Willis' wife and another deputy for the murder. Both were acquitted. The suspect was arrested two years later for public drunkenness. While in jail, he confessed that he shot Sheriff Willis after the former sheriff offered to pay $500 to kill him, but he was only paid $50. The former sheriff threatened to kill him if he told anyone. The assassin was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. After many mistrials, a former Greenville County Deputy Sheriff and the former sheriff were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison on December 12, 1930. Both were pardoned by Governor Olin D. Johnston on January 2, 1939. Sheriff Willis was a WWI U.S. Army veteran. He was appointed sheriff of the Grenville Sheriff's Office from 1919 to 1920 and won the election in 1924.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four daughters, his mother, a brother, and a sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-E5BABAD0- 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.
Sheriff Willis gave the Greenville County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville 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
Samuel D. Willis served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sheriff Samuel D. Willis 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 Greenville County Sheriff's Office, 14 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 82.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Samuel D. Willis's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel D. Willis Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 10 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel D. Willis is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel D. Willis was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Greenville County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
