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Incident
Officer Rufus Rodgers was shot and killed with his own weapon after responding to a domestic dispute between a father and two sons. A second officer was arresting one of the sons for possessing a knife and Officer Rodgers was about to arrest the father. The other son snuck up behind Officer Rodgers and grabbed his gun. As he turned around he and the suspect's father were shot several times. The father was also killed. The suspect fled the scene but was later arrested in the woods behind his house during a manhunt. The 26-year-old suspect was subsequently sentenced to life.
Survivors
Officer Rodgers is survived by his wife, son, and five daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Patrolman Rodgers served with the Aiken Department of Public Safety.
Thank you for your service to the people of South Carolina. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Rodgers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Aiken Department of Public Safety has lost 7 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Rufus is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Rufus is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Rufus 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 1950, 1 officer at Aiken Department of Public Safety was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1950, 1 officer in SC was killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1950, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1950, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Rufus was 65. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Aiken Department of Public Safety whose age is recorded, half were between 35.8 and 53.5; the middle age was 46.5.
Rufus was 65. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Rufus was 65. 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.
Rufus was 65. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 16.7% of these deaths at Aiken Department of Public Safety; November holds the most, 33.3%. Saturdays: 33.3%.
April holds 8.5% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Saturdays: 17.3%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 85.7% of all 7 deaths at Aiken Department of Public Safety, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 7.7% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Aiken Department of Public Safety has 7 officers remembered here, Rufus among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Aiken Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw.
