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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Tommy Fox was shot and killed after he and several other officers responded to a disturbance at a night club in Batesburg, South Carolina, at 1:30 am. While on the scene the suspect was able to gain control of another officer's .38 caliber service weapon and opened fire, striking Deputy Fox four times in torso and head. Another officer was able to return fire and wounded the suspect. The man, 25, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 30 years. Deputy Fox had served with the Lexington County Sheriff's Department for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five children, and four grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Fox gave the Lexington County Sheriff's Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lexington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Fox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lexington County Sheriff's Department has lost 6 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Tommy is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Tommy is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Tommy 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 1970, 5 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1970, 138 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1970, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Tommy was 47. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Tommy had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Tommy was 47. 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. Tommy had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Tommy was 47. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Tommy had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8.8% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Saturdays: 17.3%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 6 deaths at Lexington County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 7.7% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Lexington County Sheriff's Department has 6 officers remembered here, Tommy among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Lexington County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
