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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Dennis Compton was shot and killed while responding to a residential alarm call on Sunflower Drive, in Smoaks, at approximately 3:00 am.
The homeowner's son had also been notified of the alarm by the alarm company. When he arrived at the home he found Deputy Compton wounded and used his radio to alert dispatchers.
In September 2008 two suspects were arrested and charged with Deputy Compton's murder. Both were convicted of murder and subsequently sentenced to life in prison in December 2011.
Deputy Compton had served with the Colleton County Sheriff's Office for sixteen months, starting as a detention center officer.
Deputy Compton had served with the Colleton County Sheriff's Office for sixteen months, starting as a detention center officer.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Compton gave the Colleton County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Walterboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Compton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Colleton County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Dennis is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Dennis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dennis 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 2008, 2 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 2008, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2008, 65 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 122nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Dennis was 39. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Dennis had served 1.3 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Dennis was 39. 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. Dennis had served 1.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dennis was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Dennis had served 1.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8.8% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Wednesdays: 8.8%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Colleton County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.4% 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; 12 gauge, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.2% of these deaths.
His people
Colleton County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, Dennis among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Colleton County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
