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Stephen Anthony Breland
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Tony Breland was shot and killed while he and other deputies attempted to serve a warrant at a home at 105 Lewis Street in Walterboro. Two other deputies were attempting to arrest the man on a warrant for brandishing a firearm. The man refused to come out of the home and told the deputies he would shoot them if they came inside. As one of the deputies opened the screen door the man shot him in the chest. The deputies requested backup and Deputy Breland responded to assist. He was attempting to climb through a window into the home when the man shot him. He was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The subject who shot him was found guilty of manslaughter and died while in prison. Deputy Breland had served with the Colleton County Sheriff's Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, parents, brother, sister, and grandmother.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Breland gave the Colleton County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Walterboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Breland.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Colleton County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Stephen is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Stephen is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Stephen is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1977, 3 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1977, 128 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 36th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1977, 146 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 34th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Stephen was 26. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Stephen had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Stephen was 26. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Stephen had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Stephen was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Stephen had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.9% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Mondays: 13.6%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Colleton County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 17.3% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Colleton County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, Stephen among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Colleton County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
