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Incident
Lieutenant Ellsworth was shot and killed at 0415 hours when he and other officers interrupted a burglary in progress at an auto shop on Meeting Street. As the officers approached the suspect opened fire, striking him in the chest. The suspect was never identified.
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Lieutenant Ellsworth served with the Charleston Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Charleston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Ellsworth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charleston Police Department has lost 24 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Keith is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Keith is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Keith 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 1944, 1 officer at Charleston Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 2.
In 1944, 4 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1944, 59 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1944, 74 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Keith was 58. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Charleston Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Keith was 58. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Keith was 58. 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.
Keith was 58. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 8.3% of these deaths at Charleston Police Department; July holds the most, 25%. Fridays: 41.7%.
October holds 7% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Fridays: 15.4%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 24 deaths at Charleston Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 25% 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
Charleston Police Department has 24 officers remembered here, Keith among them.
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Arthur Porcher Gaillard
Aug 14, 1857
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Thomas J. Martin Jul 22, 1870
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John Harlow Dec 22, 1878
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John Joseph Bean, Jr. Apr 21, 1899
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James J. Duffy Jul 16, 1916
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William E. Raymond Sep 10, 1919
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Henry William Buck Feb 27, 1921
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Julian C. Bunch May 1, 1932
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Snyder Lee Risher May 6, 1932
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Lawrence Marion Strock
Sep 10, 1932
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Purce A. Wansley Jul 14, 1936
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Walter J. Miller Jul 14, 1940
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William Henry Wilson
Dec 8, 1942
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Keith Ellsworth Oct 6, 1944
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Junius P. Lewis Dec 6, 1951
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Lawrence Bryant Aytes
Jun 17, 1955
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Jessie C. Benton
Jun 17, 1955
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James Franklin Tindal
Jun 17, 1955
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Joseph Vega
Oct 12, 1955
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Wesley John Smith
Dec 16, 1975
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Charles Alvin Snider
Mar 2, 1979
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Perrin Richard Love, II
May 21, 1999
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Dennis Elisha LaPage
Jan 19, 2002
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Roger Myers
Apr 5, 2004
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
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