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Incident
Detention Officer Alvin Glenn was beaten and strangled after being attacked by three inmates during an escape attempt at the Richland County Detention Center.
The incident occurred when he was locking prisoners back in their cells. Officer Glenn was overpowered by three inmates who handcuffed, beat and strangled him. The inmates then made their way to the roof of the jail but were injured when they jumped to the ground. All three were taken into custody before they made their escape.
Officer Glenn was the only guard overseeing 64 inmates in the medium security area when he was attacked.
The inmate found to be responsible for Officer Glenn's death was serving a life sentence for murder. On July 26th, 2006, he was convicted of murdering Officer Glenn and received another life sentence.
Officer Glenn had served with the Richland County Detention Center for five years.
The Richland County Detention Center was renamed the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in his honor.
Survivors
He is survived by four children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Detention Officer Glenn gave the Richland County Detention Center 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detention Officer Glenn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Alvin is the only officer of Richland County Detention Center remembered here.
Alvin is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Alvin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Alvin is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2000, 4 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 2000, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2000, 73 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Alvin was 59. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Alvin had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Alvin was 59. 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. Alvin had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Alvin was 59. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Alvin had served 5 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%. Sundays: 19.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Richland County Detention Center.
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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Richland County Detention Center are honored on badge.nw.