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Incident
Sergeant Oliver Gunnels was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious man the railroad station at Augusta and Vardry Streets. he suspect was seen entering a bathroom. When Sergeant Gunnels shined his flashlight in the bathroom the suspect opened fire with a .22 caliber pistol, fatally wounding him. The man fled but was later caught after murdering a railroad conductor in Augusta, Georgia. The man was taken from the Augusta Jail and lynched by an angry mob. Sergeant Gunnels had been with the agency for 26 years.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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26 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Gunnels gave the Greenville Police Department 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Gunnels.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Greenville Police Department has lost 12 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
Oliver is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Oliver is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Oliver is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1911, 1 officer at Greenville Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1919, with 2.
In 1911, 2 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1911, 149 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1911, 150 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Oliver was 62. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Greenville Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 43. Oliver had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
Oliver was 62. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Oliver had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Oliver was 62. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Oliver had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Oliver was 62. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Oliver had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 18.2% of these deaths at Greenville Police Department; May holds the most, 27.3%. Fridays: 27.3%.
February holds 7% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Fridays: 15.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 91.7% of all 12 deaths at Greenville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 45.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 21% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Greenville Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Oliver among them.
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James Patrick Tucker
Apr 13, 1904
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Oliver S. Gunnels Feb 17, 1911
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James Earl Holcombe
May 30, 1915
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Alford M. Blair
Oct 5, 1919
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Joseph H. Kitchen
Oct 5, 1919
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George Staples Burroughs May 6, 1921
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Arthur F. Lackey
Mar 4, 1925
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Absolom Blythe Hunt
May 1, 1932
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William Frank Chasteen
Feb 21, 1971
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Mathew Montgomery Beacham, Jr.
Sep 20, 1983
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James Russell Sorrow
Sep 19, 1996
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Allen Lee Jacobs
Mar 18, 2016
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Greenville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
