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Incident
Sergeant Danny Wilson and Constable Donnie Ouzts, of the Abbeville County Magistrate's Office, were shot and killed by members of a family, a man, woman, and their son, upset that a small portion of their land was to be taken through eminent domain to widen a portion of Highway 72.
Sergeant Wilson had been informed that the residents had threatened to shoot anyone who came onto the property. As a result of the threat, Sergeant Wilson went to the Department of Transportation to warn the workers of the threat and to escort them to the home so he could talk with the residents.
Sergeant Wilson arrived at the scene first and as he got out of his patrol car, he was shot once in the upper side of his chest in an area not protected by his vest. The residents of the home then dragged him into the home, handcuffed him, and left him on the floor. When dispatchers were unable to reach Sergeant Wilson, more units were sent to the scene, including Constable Donnie Ouzts, of the Abbeville County Magistrate's Office.
The responding deputies where unable to locate Sergeant Wilson and began discussing the situation. As Constable Ouzts talked to one of the deputies, he was shot in the back by one of the suspects in the house. A member of the South Carolina Highway Patrol and a member of the South Carolina Department of Probation and Parole, risked their lives to pull Constable Ouzts' body from the front lawn where he had fallen. They were able to pull his body out of the line of fire and called for backup.
The suspects barricaded themselves in the home for 14 hours and exchanged hundreds of shots with the responding officers. One of the male suspects surrendered after 14 hours and was taken into custody. A robot was sent into the home and located the body of Sergeant Wilson approximately 10-feet inside the door with his hands handcuffed behind his back. A SWAT team entered the home and recovered his body. The other suspects surrendered approximately 30 minutes later. All three were charged with murdering Sergeant Wilson and Constable Ouzts.
On February 18, 2007, the son was convicted of two counts of capital murder. He was subsequently sentenced to death. His mother was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. His father was found incompetent to stand trial and committed in a state mental institution where he died September 5, 2011. His mother died in prison six days later.
Sergeant Wilson had served with the Abbeville County Sheriff's Department for seven years, and had also served as a Staff Sergeant for 18 years in the National Guard's 111th Signal Battalion, "A" Company.
He is survived by his son, four daughters, and a granddaughter.
Survivors
He is survived by his son, four daughters, and a granddaughter.
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.
Sergeant Wilson gave the Abbeville County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Abbeville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Wilson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Abbeville County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Danny is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Danny is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Danny 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 2003, 4 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 2003, 64 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2003, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Danny was 37. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Danny had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Danny was 37. 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. Danny had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Danny was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Danny had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 9.2% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Mondays: 13.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Abbeville County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, 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 rifle, in 3.3% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Abbeville County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Danny among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Abbeville County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.