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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ted Turner was shot and killed while he and another deputy served commitment papers on a mental subject. The man was permitted by the two deputies to obtain some personal items before being removed from the home near the Springdale Race Course. As the two deputies spoke on the front porch, the subject returned to the door and fired a shot from a 410 gauge shotgun, striking Deputy Turner in the back of the head. The 51-year-old subject was arrested following a massive manhunt and committed. In January of 1982, hospital officials deemed him competent to stand trial and returned him to Kershaw County. On August 19, 1982, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity at the time of the murder. He was released, but he voluntarily recommitted himself back into the mental hospital for continued treatment. Deputy Turner had served with the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Turner gave the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lugoff community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Turner.
— 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.
Theodore is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Theodore is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Theodore 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 1971, 3 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1971, 168 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1971, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Theodore was 29. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Theodore had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Theodore was 29. 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. Theodore had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Theodore was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Theodore had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 8.5% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Thursdays: 12.1%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Kershaw County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 shotgun, in 11.4% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Kershaw County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Theodore among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-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.
