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Incident
Policeman John McManus was shot and killed in downtown Heath Springs while attempting to detain a group of four bootleggers who were causing a disturbance.
The bootleggers were on two wagons riding through town while cursing loudly while traveling to Kershaw. Policeman McManus had stopped them and informed them they had violated a town ordinance and owed a $5 fine. One of the subjects jumped from the wagon and shot Policeman McManus in the neck, killing him.
A citizen who was assisting Policeman McManus was able to subdue one of the men. The other three were eventually apprehended. Two of them were charged in connection with Policeman McManus' murder, but the first trial ended in a mistrial. It is not known if they were ever retried.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
134 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Policeman McManus served with the Heath Springs Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Heath Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Heath Springs Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1892, 2 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1892, 81 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1892, 84 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 30. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38.
John was 30. 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.
John was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 7% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Tuesdays: 13.2%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Heath Springs Police Department.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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