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Edward Frazier Langford
Incident
Rural Police Officer Frazier Langford was killed when he and a game warden attempted to arrest a suspect for careless and reckless driving. Visitors to Beaufort reported that they had been forced off the road by three men and a woman in a Buick near Grays Hill. Officer Langford later spotted the Buick and its occupants at a family reunion and ball game along the Savannah Highway five miles from Beaufort. As Officer Langford attempted to arrest the driver a fight ensued. The crowd rapidly turned on Officer Langford as the driver's father ran up behind him and shot him in the back. The volunteer, armed only with a two-shot derringer, fired one shot and then fled in Officer Langford's patrol car to seek help. Later examination would reveal that Officer Langford was shot, stabbed, kicked, beaten, bludgeoned, and bit several times. The driver, his father, and his family were apprehended later that afternoon in Ridgeland. The driver, his wife, father, and three other men were charged with first-degree murder. The defendants were all tried together in 1927. The National Guard had to be deployed by Governor Richards to prevent a lynching. The driver, his father, and another man were sentenced to death. Two were sentenced to life. One was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison. In 1929 Governor Richards commuted the death sentences to life. In 1935 Governor Ibra C. Blackwood commuted the five life terms to 10 years.
Survivors
Officer Langford was survived by his wife and three children.
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.
Rural Police Officer Langford served with the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Beaufort community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Rural Police Officer Langford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Edward is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Edward is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Edward 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 1927, 1 officer at Beaufort County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 2002, with 2.
In 1927, 3 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Edward was 38. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Beaufort County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 44; the middle age was 38.
Edward was 38. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Edward was 38. 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.
Edward was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 20% of these deaths at Beaufort County Sheriff's Office; January holds the most, 60%. Mondays: 20%.
June holds 7% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Mondays: 13.6%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Beaufort County Sheriff's Office. 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Edward among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Beaufort County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
