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Incident
Detective Alford Blair and Detective Joe Kitchen were shot and killed while conducting a raid on a gambling house in the Bucknertown section of the city. During the raid, one of the gamblers shot and killed Detective Kitchen and then fled. While Detective Blair gave chase, the man turned and fired, fatally wounding Detective Blair. The suspect escaped to Virginia, where he shot and killed Lynchburg, Virginia, Detective Arthur Mann and wounded another officer on March 27th, 1920. The suspect was eventually captured in Ohio, returned to Virginia, and executed for Detective Mann's murder. Detective Blair had served with the Greenville Police Department for ten years and had previously served as a state constable in Columbia.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, six children, father, three brothers, and two sisters.
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.
Detective Blair gave the Greenville Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Blair.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Greenville Police Department has lost 12 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
Alford is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Alford is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Alford 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 1919, 2 officers at Greenville Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1919, 6 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Alford was 41. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Greenville Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 43. Alford had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
Alford was 41. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Alford had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Alford was 41. 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. Alford had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Alford was 41. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Alford had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 18.2% of these deaths at Greenville Police Department; May holds the most, 27.3%. Sundays: 45.5%.
October holds 7% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Sundays: 19.5%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 91.7% of all 12 deaths at Greenville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 54.5% 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Greenville Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Alford among them.
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James Patrick Tucker
Apr 13, 1904
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Oliver S. Gunnels Feb 17, 1911
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James Earl Holcombe
May 30, 1915
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Alford M. Blair
Oct 5, 1919
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Joseph H. Kitchen
Oct 5, 1919
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George Staples Burroughs May 6, 1921
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Arthur F. Lackey
Mar 4, 1925
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Absolom Blythe Hunt
May 1, 1932
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William Frank Chasteen
Feb 21, 1971
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Mathew Montgomery Beacham, Jr.
Sep 20, 1983
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James Russell Sorrow
Sep 19, 1996
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Allen Lee Jacobs
Mar 18, 2016
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Greenville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
