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Incident
Police Officer William Clyde was shot and killed in the area of Bradford Springs, South Carolina, while attempting to arrest a fugitive who had escaped from a chain gang two months earlier.
He had obtained information that the subject was at a home in the area and went to that location along with a constable to locate him. As they searched the house Officer Clyde found the man hiding under a bed and called out to him to surrender.
The man opened fire with a shotgun, striking Officer Clyde in the abdomen. The constable pulled Officer Clyde to safety and then went to alert a doctor. Officer Clyde died from his wound two hours later.
The subject who shot him fled the scene and it is unknown if he was ever captured. A female occupant of the house was charged with being an accomplice before the fact.
Police Officer Clyde was survived by his wife and young child. He was predeceased by a 2-year-old daughter.
Survivors
Police Officer Clyde was survived by his wife and young child.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Clyde served with the Sumter Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Sumter community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Clyde.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sumter Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1908, 4 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1908, 129 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1908, 129 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 29. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38.
William was 29. 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.
William was 29. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 8.1% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Tuesdays: 13.2%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Sumter Police Department, the 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
Sumter Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Sumter Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
