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Incident
Chief Joe Wall was shot and killed by a drunk male he had just arrested. Chief Wall was called to Watson's Furniture Store to make a routine arrest. A 45-year-old man was intoxicated and was making a disturbance. The chief had taken him into custody and placed him in the back seat of his patrol car. After he got in to drive, the man reached over the seat, got the chief's gun, and shot him once in the head. The mayor, who happened to be near the altercation, took the prisoner into custody. Chief Wall had killed the man's brother the year before during an arrest. A coroner's jury had ruled the shooting was justified. Four days before this incident, the Chesnee town council had voted to install a barrier between the front and back seat of the patrol car. The suspect was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Chief Wall had served on the Chesnee police force for almost 20 years. He was due to retire July 1.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three sons, and two 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.
Chief of Police Wall gave the Chesnee Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chesnee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Wall.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chesnee Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Joe is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Joe is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joe 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 1967, 1 officer in SC was killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1967, 105 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1967, 107 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 56th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joe was 68. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Joe had served 19.9 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Joe was 68. 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. Joe had served 19.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joe was 68. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joe had served 19.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Fridays: 15.4%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Chesnee Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, 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 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
Chesnee Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Joe among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Chesnee Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
