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Ellis Andrew Shields
Incident
Rural Police Officer Ellis Shields was shot and killed near Chesnee when he stopped a car suspected of hauling illegal liquor around 9 pm.
Officer Shields was shot in the head when a gunfight resulted between him and two cousins. Officer Shields managed to return fire, critically wounding the man who shot him.
The gunman who claimed self-defense was tried and acquitted.
Officer Shields had served with the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office for at least three years.
Officer Shields' brother, Deputized Constable Melton Shields, was shot and killed in the line of duty on February 18th, 1930.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Rural Police Officer Shields gave the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Spartanburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Rural Police Officer Shields.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Ellis is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Ellis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ellis 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
Ellis was 34. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ellis had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Ellis was 34. 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. Ellis had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ellis was 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ellis had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 7% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Thursdays: 12.1%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, 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 handgun; pistol, in 1.5% 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 handgun; pistol, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Ellis among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
