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Incident
Captain James Orr was shot and killed in Lugoff by an escapee who had just committed an armed robbery. The man had escaped from a Georgia prison. As he traveled through Kershaw County he entered the office of a mobile home dealership north of Camden, tied up the manager, and robbed him of $190 in cash. The manager freed himself moments after the suspect fled and called the sheriff's office. Captain Orr was patrolling U.S. 601 in Lugoff when he spotted a car matching the description of the suspect's vehicle given by the manager. Captain Orr followed the car until it pulled onto a dirt road near a railroad overpass and stopped in front of a small house. As Captain Orr exited his patrol car he was shot several times. The man then drove to a home several miles away where he abducted a mother and her four daughters. He forced the mother, along with the children, to drive him to Georgia he released the hostages, unharmed, just outside of Savannah. Several days later in St. Augustin, Florida, a police officer received an anonymous phone call telling him where the suspect was located. The officer went to the residence and took the man into custody without incident. The 21-year-old suspect was convicted of Captain Orr's murder, armed robbery, and five counts of abduction on October 24, 1973. He was sentenced to six life terms plus 26 years in prison. On April 17, 1976, he escaped from the South Carolina Penitentiary. He was captured in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on June 17, 1977, by FBI agents and members of the United States Marshals Service. Captain Orr was to retire the following January.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Captain Orr served with the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lugoff community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Orr.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kershaw County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
James is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1973, 4 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1973, 171 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1973, 188 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 67. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38.
James was 67. 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.
James was 67. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 10.7% of these deaths in SC, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Kershaw County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Kershaw County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Kershaw County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
