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John Bennett Cornwell
Incident
Dispensary Constable John Cornwell succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained as he and another constable attempted to arrest two men for possession of several kegs of illegal liquor. They had encountered the suspects near the Southern Railway Bridge in Greenville County.
As the other constable began loading the illegal liquor into the constable's buggy one of the suspects began arguing with Constable Cornwell. During the ensuing struggle the man produced a revolver and shot Constable Cornwell at point blank range.
Constable Cornwell and the the other constable both returned fire, striking the suspect several times. The other constable was wounded in the shootout. Constable Cornwell and the suspect both succumbed to their wounds two days later. The second suspect escaped from the scene.
Constable Cornwell was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Constable Cornwell was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Dispensary Constable Cornwell served with the South Carolina State Dispensary Commission.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
South Carolina State Dispensary Commission has lost 9 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
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 1899, 1 officer at South Carolina State Dispensary Commission was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1894, with 2.
In 1899, 3 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1899, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1899, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 27. Of the 5 killed feloniously at South Carolina State Dispensary Commission whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 43; the middle age was 37.
John was 27. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38.
John was 27. 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 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 22.2% of these deaths at South Carolina State Dispensary Commission; July holds the most, 33.3%. Thursdays: 11.1%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Thursdays: 12.1%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 9 deaths at South Carolina State Dispensary Commission. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
South Carolina State Dispensary Commission has 9 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from South Carolina State Dispensary Commission are honored on badge.nw.
