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Incident
Sheriff Charles Grinnell was killed in an automobile crash in Lancaster County while picking up witnesses who were scheduled to appear in court.
His vehicle overturned on a curve near the three-way intersection of Highway 9, Highway 902, and Highway 903 (modern-day Highway 903 and Route 601).
A witness he had picked up was also killed in the crash.
Sheriff Grinnell had served with the Darlington County Sheriff's Office for several years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, brother, and sister.
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.
Sheriff Grinnell served with the Darlington County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Darlington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Grinnell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Darlington County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Charles is one of 139 officers lost to accidents in SC, 31.4% of the 442 remembered there.
Charles is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1945, 1 officer in SC was lost to accidents, the 42nd heaviest of 71 years on record. The heaviest was 1986, with 6.
In 1945, 62 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1945, 68 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Charles was 44. Of the 120 lost to accidents in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 41; the middle age was 34.
Charles was 44. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Charles was 44. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
June holds 13.7% of these deaths in SC, more than any other month. Mondays: 11.5%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Darlington County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.4% of all 442 deaths in SC, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Darlington County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Darlington County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
