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Christian J. D. Wolfe
Incident
Officer J.D. Wolfe succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained nine days earlier while attempting to arrest a man who had assaulted another officer and who had stolen the officer's revolver.
He and a second officer located the man in a cotton field approximately eight miles south of the city. As they approached him, the man pulled out the stolen revolver and opened fire on the officers, striking Officer Wolfe in the neck. Both officers returned fire, wounding the suspect before he escaped.
Officer Wolfe's partner transported him back to his home in Orangeburg, where he remained until succumbing to the wound.
His killer was arrested on October 22nd, 1897. He was convicted of murder on January 11th, 1898, and executed by hanging on February 11th, 1898.
Officer Wolfe had served with the Orangeburg Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four children, and several siblings.
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
129 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Wolfe gave the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of South Carolina. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Orangeburg Department of Public Safety has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Christian is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Christian is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Christian 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 1897, 1 officer in SC was killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1897, 52 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 137th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1897, 54 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 136th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Christian was 52. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Christian had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Christian was 52. 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. Christian had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Christian was 52. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Christian had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.9% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Wednesdays: 8.8%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Orangeburg Department of Public Safety. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 75% 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
Orangeburg Department of Public Safety has 4 officers remembered here, Christian among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Orangeburg Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw.
