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Cotesworth Pinckney Fishburne
Incident
Dispensary Constable Pinckney Fishburne and Deputy Dispensary Constable John Altman were shot and killed in Ravenel, South Carolina, while attempting to stop a man from taking a keg of contraband whiskey from the town's railroad station.
Constable Fishburne stopped the man as he tried to leave the depot in a horse and buggy. When told he had to turn over the whiskey, the man opened fire, striking Constable Fishburne in the chest. The subject then shot and mortally wounded Deputy Constable Altman, whom Constable Fishburne had deputized to assist him.
The subject fled the scene but was arrested a short time later. Constable Fishburne died of his wound approximately one hour later. Deputy Constable Altman was transported to a hospital in Charleston where he died three days later.
The man who murdered both officers was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Constable Fishburne was survived by his wife and several children.
Survivors
Constable Fishburne was survived by his wife and several children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Dispensary Constable Fishburne served with the South Carolina State Dispensary Commission.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Dispensary Constable Fishburne.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
South Carolina State Dispensary Commission has lost 9 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Cotesworth is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Cotesworth is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Cotesworth 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 1909, 2 officers at South Carolina State Dispensary Commission were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1909, 4 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1909, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1909, 103 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
July holds 33.3% of these deaths at South Carolina State Dispensary Commission, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 22.2%.
July holds 10.7% of these deaths in SC, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 9 deaths at South Carolina State Dispensary Commission. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 21% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
South Carolina State Dispensary Commission has 9 officers remembered here, Cotesworth among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from South Carolina State Dispensary Commission are honored on badge.nw.
