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Incident
Chief Meeks was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance. As he intervened in a squabble between a man and his wife the man shot him.
The suspect, 27, pleaded guilty to first degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison on May 16, 1962.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Meeks gave the New Ellenton Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Ellenton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Meeks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New Ellenton Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Thurston is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Thurston is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thurston 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 1961, 1 officer in SC was killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1961, 69 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1961, 73 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thurston was 52. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Thurston had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Thurston was 52. 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. Thurston had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thurston was 52. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thurston had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Wednesdays: 8.8%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at New Ellenton Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 shotgun, in 11.4% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
New Ellenton Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Thurston among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from New Ellenton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
