Prev
Incident
Constable Valdon Keith was shot and killed while chasing armed robbery suspects on State Park Road, near Worley Road, in Greenville County. The two suspects had robbed the Family Mart on East North Street and were escaping when they were spotted by deputies. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle on State Park Road. One police vehicle was in front of the suspect vehicle when the suspect vehicle pulled to the right of Constable Keith's vehicle and opened fire with a 9mm handgun, killing him. One of the suspects was captured a few days later. He had recently been paroled from the South Carolina State Prison after serving a sentence for armed robbery. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life plus 25 years. In 1994 he and a fellow inmate escaped from prison. He was captured in Louisiana not long after his story aired on "America's Most Wanted". He died in prison of a heart attack August 7th, 2005.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtn1d87md11vqgs4nkcvc- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Valdon. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
State Constable Keith gave the South Carolina State Constable 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, State Constable Keith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
South Carolina State Constable has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Valdon is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Valdon is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Valdon 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 1985, 1 officer at South Carolina State Constable was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1985, 4 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1985, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1985, 125 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Valdon was 46. Of the 4 killed feloniously at South Carolina State Constable whose age is recorded, half were between 43.3 and 52.8; the middle age was 47. Valdon had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Valdon was 46. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Valdon had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Valdon was 46. 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. Valdon had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Valdon was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Valdon had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 20% of these deaths at South Carolina State Constable; July holds the most, 40%. Thursdays: 40%.
November holds 7% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Thursdays: 12.1%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at South Carolina State Constable, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
South Carolina State Constable has 6 officers remembered here, Valdon among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from South Carolina State Constable are honored on badge.nw.
