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Incident
Officer Daniel Cogburn was shot and killed by a suspect while writing a traffic ticket. The shooter had nothing to do with the traffic stop and fired out of the car window as he drove by the vehicles. The suspect was apprehended and executed for the crime in 1996. Officer Cogburn had served with the West Columbia Police Department for only four days at the time he was shot.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons, father, mother, brother, and sister.
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.
Officer Cogburn served with the West Columbia Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the West Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Cogburn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
West Columbia Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Daniel is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Daniel 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 1983, 3 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1983, 106 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1983, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Daniel was 29. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Daniel had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Daniel was 29. 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. Daniel had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Daniel was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Daniel had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 8.5% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Tuesdays: 13.2%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at West Columbia Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 gun, in 17.3% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
West Columbia Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Daniel among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from West Columbia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
