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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Byron Cannon was killed in an automobile crash on I-20 at approximately 4:15 pm.
He and another deputy were both following a dump truck whose driver was suspected of being involved in an earlier assault. As they approached US 378, Deputy Cannon's patrol car, for unknown reasons, crossed the interstate's median, struck an SUV head-on, and was struck by a passenger car. The patrol car burst into flames after the second collision.
Deputy Cannon had served with the Richland County Sheriff's Department for 18 months and had previously served with the South Carolina Department of Probation and Parole for one year.
Survivors
He is survived by his fiance, brother, and his mother.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Cannon gave the Richland County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cannon.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Richland County Sheriff's Department has lost 7 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
Byron is one of 139 officers lost to accidents in SC, 31.4% of the 442 remembered there.
Byron is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Byron is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2005, 3 officers in SC were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 71 years on record. The heaviest was 1986, with 6.
In 2005, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2005, 87 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Byron was 26. Of the 120 lost to accidents in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 41; the middle age was 34. Byron had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Byron was 26. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Byron had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Byron was 26. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Byron had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.9% of these deaths in SC; June holds the most, 13.7%. Wednesdays: 15.8%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 57.1% of all 7 deaths at Richland County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.4% of all 442 deaths in SC, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Richland County Sheriff's Department has 7 officers remembered here, Byron among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Richland County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
