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Incident
County Policeman Ben Owens was shot and killed from ambush during a raid on a whiskey still near Murrells Inlet.
Federal officers who were with Policeman Owens arrested five men at the still following his murder. All five were charged with Policeman Owens' murder and placed in the county jail. At their trial they all denied firing the fatal shot and were acquitted.
Policeman Owens was survived by his wife and several children.
Survivors
Policeman Owens was survived by his wife and several children.
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.
County Policeman Owens served with the Horry County Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Conway community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, County Policeman Owens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Horry County Police Department has lost 6 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Benjamin is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Benjamin 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 1931, 1 officer in SC was killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Benjamin was 44. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Benjamin was 44. 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.
Benjamin was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 9.9% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Fridays: 15.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 6 deaths at Horry County Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, 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 gun; unknown type, 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Horry County Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Benjamin 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
5 officers from Horry County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
