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Incident
Game Warden Frank Floyd was shot and killed while trying to arrest several hunters, illegally hunting at night, on the Cherokee Plantation 17 miles south of Walterboro.
Warden Floyd, Warden Thomas Goethe (Warden Floyd's nephew), and the plantation superintendent were approaching the group of hunters when one of the hunters produced a double-barrel shotgun and shot Warden Floyd in the chest at close range. Warden Goethe returned fire, striking the suspect once in the head.
Warden Floyd was rushed to the Colleton County Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The 42-year-old suspect recovered from his wound and was charged with murder. He plead guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled on January 14, 1960.
Warden Floyd had served with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
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Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Game Warden Floyd gave the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Floyd.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has lost 10 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Frank is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1949, 3 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1949, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1949, 65 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 122nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 40. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Frank was 40. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 40. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 10.7% of these deaths in SC, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 30% of all 10 deaths at South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has 10 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
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L. Pressley Reeves
Sep 22, 1908
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Frank A. Floyd
Jul 25, 1949
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Robert Joseph McIntyre Sep 17, 1956
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A. C. Campbell Dec 23, 1969
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Charles Levon McNeill
Oct 3, 1974
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Ray G. Moore
Oct 23, 1975
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Doyle Hayes Hill, Sr.
Jan 15, 1976
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Robert D. Sadler
May 19, 1982
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George Don Peeler
Feb 26, 1989
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Leroy Mallett Dantzler
Dec 11, 1991
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from South Carolina Department of Natural Resources are honored on badge.nw.
