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Incident
Deputy Blakely was struck and killed by a vehicle while directing traffic at the scene of a previous accident.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Blakely served with the Laurens County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Laurens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Blakely.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Laurens County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Willie is one of 139 officers lost to accidents in SC, 31.4% of the 442 remembered there.
Willie is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Willie is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1980, 3 officers in SC were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 71 years on record. The heaviest was 1986, with 6.
In 1980, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1980, 86 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 46th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Willie was 35. Of the 120 lost to accidents in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 41; the middle age was 34.
Willie was 35. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Willie was 35. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
March holds 4.3% of these deaths in SC; June holds the most, 13.7%. Sundays: 12.2%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at Laurens County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.4% of all 442 deaths in SC, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Laurens County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Willie among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Laurens County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
