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Incident
Chief Jerry Shelton was shot and killed at approximately 1 a.m. by two suspects after arresting them following a traffic stop. The subjects were traveling at 60 miles per hour in a 35 miles per hour zone. During the stop, Chief Shelton noticed that there were open alcohol containers and drugs in the vehicle. He transported the male and female suspects to the police station at the Cottageville Town Hall building, where the female produced a handgun and gave it to her boyfriend, the male suspect. The boyfriend then shot Chief Shelton several times. Both suspects were later apprehended two weeks later. The female was acquitted. The male plead guilty and was sentenced to life. He has a parole hearing in August 2023. Chief Shelton served with the Cottageville Police Department as the Chief of Police for over one year.
Survivors
He is survived by his mother and father, three brothers, two sisters, and a fiancee.
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
You barely got started.
Chief of Police Shelton gave the Cottageville Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Cottageville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Shelton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jerry is the only officer of Cottageville Police Department remembered here.
Jerry is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Jerry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jerry 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 1989, 3 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1989, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1989, 108 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jerry was 28. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Jerry had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Jerry was 28. 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. Jerry had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jerry was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jerry had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Saturdays: 17.3%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Cottageville Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% 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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Cottageville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.