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Incident
Corporal A.J. Coursen and Lance Corporal Dana Tate were shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call on Riley Road, in Burton, at approximately 4:00 pm.
A female had called the sheriff's office and complained about her and her young child being held against their will by her boyfriend. While the deputies were investigating, they were shot by the boyfriend, who was armed with a semi-automatic rifle and was hiding inside a bedroom closet.
Deputy Coursen was killed, but Deputy Tate was able to shoot and wound the suspect before he died.
The suspect was later taken into custody after a search. The man was sentenced to death in 2003.
Corporal Coursen had served with the Beaufort County Sheriff's Department for one year and had previously served with the LaGrange Police Department (Ohio).
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and stepdaughter.
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.
Corporal Coursen gave the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Beaufort community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Coursen.
— 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.
Dyke is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Dyke is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dyke 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 2002, 2 officers at Beaufort County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2002, 7 officers in SC were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2002, 73 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2002, 78 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Dyke was 35. 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. Dyke had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Dyke was 35. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Dyke had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Dyke was 35. 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. Dyke had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dyke was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Dyke had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 60% of these deaths at Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 80%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Tuesdays: 13.2%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Beaufort County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was rifle; sks, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; sks, in 0.7% 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 rifle; sks, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; sks, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Dyke among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-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.
