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Austin Derek Aldridge
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Austin Aldridge was shot and killed while responding to a domestic call at 3:20 pm on Chaffee Drive in Spartanburg.
When Deputy Aldridge approached the house, he was ambushed by the subject. Bystanders gave medical aid to Deputy Aldridge until EMS arrived and then provided responding officers with a description of the subject and his vehicle.
Another deputy spotted the subject and attempted a traffic stop. The man pretended to surrender but shot at the deputy, who returned fire before fleeing again. After crashing his vehicle, the subject engaged in another shootout before running into the woods, where members of the SWAT team and a police canine took him into custody. He was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. No officers were injured in the pursuit and apprehension of the subject.
Deputy Aldridge was transported to the hospital and succumbed to his wounds at 9:26 pm.
The man who murdered Deputy Aldridge died in custody prior to his trial for capital murder.
Deputy Aldridge had served with the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his expectant wife, who gave birth to a daughter months later.
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 Aldridge 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, Deputy Sheriff Aldridge.
— 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.
Austin is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Austin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Austin 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 2022, 2 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 2022, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2022, 84 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Austin was 25. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Austin had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Austin was 25. 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. Austin had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Austin was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Austin had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Tuesdays: 13.2%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, 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; unknown type, in 11.4% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Austin among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-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.
