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Incident
Sheriff Henry Howard was shot and killed as he and three deputies attempted to serve a warrant for the manufacture of illegal liquor one mile south of Monetta.
At 9:30 p.m., when Sheriff Howard and three deputies approached the house, several men inside opened fire, fatally wounding Sheriff Howard. The deputies were able to return fire and killed two of the suspects.
The three remaining suspects were convicted of Sheriff Howard's murder but later had the convictions overturned by the South Carolina Supreme Court. During the retrial, a local judge ordered the charges against one of the suspects dropped. The local citizens became outraged and on October 8, 1926, stormed the jail and shot the three suspects to death after dragging them into the country.
Sheriff Howard had served with the Aiken County Sheriff's Office for 13 years and had previously served as a Constable and later as Chief of Police of Aiken, South Carolina.
Sheriff Howard is buried in Graniteville Cemetery, Graniteville, South Carolina.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, seven children, and three siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
21 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Howard gave the Aiken County Sheriff's Office 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Aiken community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Howard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Aiken County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Henry is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Henry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Henry 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 1925, 7 officers in SC were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1925, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Henry was 55. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Henry had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Henry was 55. 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. Henry had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Henry was 55. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Henry had served 21 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%. 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 60% of all 5 deaths at Aiken County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 3.3% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Aiken County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Henry among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Aiken County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
