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Incident
Chief John Dennis was shot and killed while transporting two prisoners to the county jail. The two men had been arrested during a traffic stop. As he drove to jail one of the men produced a handgun and shot Chief Dennis in the back several times. He was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later. Both suspects were arrested a short time later.
The 40-year-old shooter was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison May 17, 1957. He was paroled in 1971. On August 8, 1978, he was one of four people who were shot and killed by a man in Cayce.
Chief Dennis had served with the agency for 9 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Chief of Police Dennis gave the Bonneau Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bonneau community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Dennis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Bonneau Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1957, 3 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1957, 67 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 107th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1957, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 30. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
John was 30. 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. John had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Sundays: 19.5%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Bonneau Police Department.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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