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Incident
Patrolman Willliam Cribb was shot and killed when he and another officer interrupted an armed robbery in a supermarket while off duty. Patrolman Cribb and a colleague, both off duty, had gone to a local grocery store, Sam's Red and White, on James Island to get charcoal for a cook-out that evening at Patrolman Cribb's home. After getting the charcoal and approaching the front of the store they saw a perpetrator with a gun forcing a store employee to open a safe in an office cubicle near the front of the store. Patrolman Cribb was armed, his colleague was not. Patrolman Cribb pulled his weapon and approached the perpetrator from the rear and ordered him to freeze. Unbeknownst to both officers, the perpetrator had two accomplices, one outside the store standing watch, and one in the store, standing a short distance from the office cubicle and behind Patrolman Cribb. That accomplice shot Patrolman Cribb from behind. After Patrolman Cribb fell to the floor, the perpetrator near the safe fired another bullet into Patrolman Cribb. As the perpetrators were running from the store with the stolen money, Patrolman Cribb's colleague retrieved his gun and fired several shots at them, missing all of them. Patrolman Cribb was pronounced dead a short time later at a local hospital. The three suspects escaped with five thousand dollars and remain at large.
Survivors
Patrolman Cribb was survived by his pregnant wife and young daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Cribb gave the Charleston County Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Charleston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Cribb.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charleston County Police Department has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1974, 1 officer at Charleston County Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1974, 7 officers in SC were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1974, 162 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1974, 178 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 29. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Charleston County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 37.5; the middle age was 31.5. William had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 29. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
William was 29. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 20% of these deaths at Charleston County Police Department; March holds the most, 40%. Fridays: 60%.
November holds 7% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Fridays: 15.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Charleston County Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 17.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Charleston County Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Charleston County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
