JG
Joseph Gunnell
1949
Joseph Seawell Gunnell.
How He Died
Manner
Accident
Cause
Multiple traumatic injuries
What Happened
Officer Joe Gunnell was killed in an automobile crash while he and another officer responded to reports of two men sleeping on Highway 43 (current-day 378), about four miles west of Columbia.
As the officers came upon the area, the other officer failed to see the men in the curve of the roadway until the last moment and swerved to avoid striking them. The vehicle went down an embankment and into a ditch. Officer Gunnell suffered fatal injuries in the accident.
Officer Gunnell was a United States Army WWII veteran and had served with the West Columbia Police Department for three years.
As the officers came upon the area, the other officer failed to see the men in the curve of the roadway until the last moment and swerved to avoid striking them. The vehicle went down an embankment and into a ditch. Officer Gunnell suffered fatal injuries in the accident.
Officer Gunnell was a United States Army WWII veteran and had served with the West Columbia Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, young daughter, parents, two sisters, and one brother.
Service Record
Also Served
West Columbia Police Department
Police Officer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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