SC Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame

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Deputy Brian S. Mills Lexington County Sheriff’s DepartmentEnd of Watch: October 23, 1999Brian Stuart Mills was born in ...
10/23/2026

Deputy Brian S. Mills
Lexington County Sheriff’s Department
End of Watch: October 23, 1999

Brian Stuart Mills was born in March of 1972 in Johnson City, New York. Born to David and Linda Moorhead Mills, Brian grew up with two sisters and five brothers. Brian graduated from Green High School before joining the United States Army in 1994. He was stationed at Fort Jackson where he served as a Military Policeman. Brian was also deployed as a Military Policeman to Bosnia for a six-month tour.

On November 10, 1997, Brian and Rebecca Lynn “Becky” were married. In September of 1998, their son, Brian Trevor was born.

On March 23, 1999, Brian Stuart Mills joined the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

Just after midnight on October 23, 1999, Deputy Brian S. Mills kissed his sleeping son and his wife goodbye before leaving their home to go back on shift, after his super break. A little over an hour later, Deputy Mills heard a radio call for a 911 hang-up not far away. Understanding the dangerous nature of a 911 call where no contact is made, Deputy Mills was responding quickly. Driving on Platt Springs Road, Deputy Mills entered a dangerous curve and lost control of his patrol car. The deputy’s car veered sideways, hitting a ditch and two mailboxes, before overturning several times and landing on its roof. Deputy Brian Stuart Mills died as a result of his injuries. He was 27 years old.

Funeral services for Deputy Mills were conducted on October 25th, at Trinity Baptist Church and he was buried with Full Military Honors at Southland Memorial Gardens. He was survived by his parents, his wife and son, his two sisters, and his five brothers. Members of the Deputy Mills’ shift at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department served pallbearers. More than 1,000 people attended the services, including many from his law enforcement and military families.

In November of 2000, Deputy Brian Mills was posthumously named Rookie of the Year by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. The annual Rookie of the Year Award was also named in honor of Deputy Mills in subsequent presentations.

Deputy Brian S. Mills was inducted into the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame in May of 2000, never to be forgotten.

Captain Ray G. Moore South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department End of Watch October 23, 1975Ray G. Mo...
10/23/2026

Captain Ray G. Moore
South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department
End of Watch October 23, 1975

Ray G. Moore was born in Oconee County on March 17, 1924, to James Elic and Macie Lillian Moore. He grew up with two sisters. Ray joined the United States Navy and served from 1942 to 1946, during World War II. Ray married Lois Burton and together they raised two daughters, Diane and Melanie.

Ray joined the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department in 1952 and served as a Conservation Officer in the upstate of South Carolina. In those days, the Conservation Officers worked 7 days a week and were on call 24 hours a day, ready at a moment’s notice to respond to the call of game violations or emergency situations.
Ray was extremely proud of the progress made by the SCWMRD and in a 1967 newspaper article said, “(the) conservation work we are doing today … will bolster hunting potential for the entire piedmont.” He was heavily involved in the early trout re-stocking programs pioneered in the mountains of Oconee and Pickens counties.
In 1967, Ray Moore was selected as “Conservation Officer of the Year” for the entire state. He regarded this award as the highlight of his career and one of the proudest accomplishments of his life.
In 1971, Ray was promoted to Unit Leader for District 1 and in 1973, he was named Supervisor (Captain) for District 1. Captain Moore thoroughly enjoyed his job, working in the beautiful outdoors of South Carolina.

On Thursday, October 23, 1975, Captain Ray G. Moore had a heart attack and died while doing the job he loved.

Funeral services for Captain Moore were held on Saturday, October 25th, at the Holly Springs Baptist Church and he was laid to rest in the church cemetery. Ray was survived by his wife, Lois, daughters, Diane and Melanie, along with his two sisters and a grandson.

South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources (Department of Natural Resources) Captain Ray G. Moore was inducted into the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame in 1986, never to be forgotten.

Investigator Farrah B. TurnerFlorence County Sheriff’s OfficeEnd of Watch: October 22, 2018Farrah Burdette Godwin Turner...
10/22/2026

Investigator Farrah B. Turner
Florence County Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: October 22, 2018

Farrah Burdette Godwin Turner was born in Florence to Katie M. Godwin and Dexter Turner. She was nicknamed “Maxine” before she and her twin brother were born. She graduated from Lake City High School in 2000 and from Francis Marion University in 2005. Farah received her Master’s Degree in Public Safety/Criminal Justice from Capella University in 2012.

Farrah joined the Florence County Sheriff’s Office on August 28, 2006, and served as a School Resource Officer at Brockington Elementary School, Johnson Middle School, and Timmonsville High School. She often worked off-duty, and without pay to provide security for events when the schools didn’t have the funding to pay her. She later transferred to the S*x Crimes Unit and was promoted to Investigator. Investigator Turner was passionate about obtaining justice for the victims in her cases. She was named “Investigator of the Year” in 2016.

On October 3, 2018, Investigator Turner and two other Florence County Officers went to the home of Fred Hopkins, Jr. to serve a search warrant relating to the sexual assault of a child. Upon approaching the front door of the residence, the officers were ambushed by a gunman from inside. Investigator Turner was struck by the initial shots and fell off the porch. Officers from the Florence Police Department and surrounding agencies responded to assist the injured officers and came under intense gunfire from a second-story window. Over four hundred shots were fired during the almost two-hour gun battle in the upscale residential neighborhood. In all, seven law enforcement officers were shot. Florence City Police Sergeant Terrence Carraway died at the scene. Investigator Turner and five other law enforcement officers were transported to the hospital. Investigator Turner underwent multiple surgeries and remained in critical condition, fighting for her life for nineteen days. On October 22, 2018, Investigator Farrah Turner succumbed to her injuries. She was 36 years old.

The gunman, Fred Hopkins, Jr. was also injured and taken to the hospital for treatment.

Funeral services for Investigator Farrah B. Turner were conducted at the Florence Civic Center on October 28th and she was laid to rest in Florence Memorial Gardens. Thousands of mourners, including hundreds of law enforcement officers from across the southeast attended the funeral. Governor Henry McMaster and the First Lady were among the dignitaries who came to honor Investigator Turner. She was survived by her mother, Katie Godwin; brothers, Farrell and Ronald; sister, April Godwin; Stepsister, Bridgette Gibson; Stepbrother Nicholas Lee; and grandmothers, Alberta Godwin and Queen Esther Turner.

Investigator Farrah B. Turner was inducted into the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame on May 1, 2019, never to be forgotten.

Fred Hopkins, Jr. was charged with the murders of Investigator Turner and Sergeant Carraway and the attempted murders of the other five officers who were injured in the shooting. His son, Seth David Hopkins was later charged with “Criminal S*xual Conduct with a Minor, Second Degree”. Seth pleaded guilty on December 15, 2019, and was sentenced to “20 Years in Prison.”

On October 19, 2023, Fred Hopkins, Jr. was sentenced to “Life in Prison” for the murder of Investigator Farrah Turner, “Life in Prison” for the murder of Sergeant Terrence Carraway, and “30 Years in Prison” for each of the five other attempted murder charges. Two life sentences plus 150 years. He died in prison on April 18, 2025.

THROWBACK THURSDAY!SC Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame Exhibit at the State Fair - 1985
10/22/2026

THROWBACK THURSDAY!

SC Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame Exhibit at the State Fair - 1985

10/21/2026

Today, we remember Sergeant W. Conley Jumper.
End of Watch: October 20, 2020

Officer Henry BlufordNewberry Police DepartmentEnd of Watch: October 19, 1874Henry Bluford was born in South Carolina in...
10/19/2026

Officer Henry Bluford
Newberry Police Department
End of Watch: October 19, 1874

Henry Bluford was born in South Carolina in around 1825. He married Carolina Bluford and together they had two daughters, Amanda and Doskey.

In around 1870, Henry joined the 5-man Town of Newberry Police Department. Serving under Chief of Police John I. Houseal, Officer Bluford served with another African American officer, and two white officers. The Town Police Force also employed “Special Officers” who were sworn in as needed, for special events.

On October 19, 1874, the Old John Robinson’s Great World Exposition Circus came to Newberry for a performance. The streets and sidewalks were crowded with people as the circus paraded down Main Street. Immediately after the parade ended, and the doors of the downtown businesses reopened, a civil disturbance broke out between some of the white and black citizens at the corner of Main and McKibben streets. The disturbance developed into a riot as it escalated from a verbal to a physical confrontation. Soon, weapons were brandished on both sides. Chief Houseal ordered his four policemen and special officers to do what they could to contain the disturbance as he rushed to the Federal Army Garrison on Drayton Street to summon reinforcements. He soon returned with a detachment of soldiers, but before they could get the riot under control, gunshots rang out. While attempting to arrest one of the rioters, Officer Bluford was shot by James Pinckney Hardy. He fell, mortally wounded at the southwest corner of Main and McKibben, and died almost instantly.

Hardy was arrested and charged with the murder of Officer Henry Bluford.

Officer Bluford was widely recognized by both the white and black communities, as a good man, a good citizen and a faithful police officer. The Town Council paid for Officer Bluford’s funeral and a set up a benefit fund for his family, in appreciation for his service. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.

On March 31, 1875, James P. Hardy was indicted for the murder of Officer Henry Bluford. Following a change of venue, the trial was conducted in Spartanburg County, where due to conflicting testimony, the jury found the defendant “Not Guilty” in July 1875.
Officer Henry Bluford was the first Newberry Police Department Officer, and first African American Officer to be killed in the line of duty in Newberry.

Officer Henry Bluford’s service was lost to history for almost 150 years, until staff members of the Newberry Museum uncovered his story. He was appropriately inducted into the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame on July 27, 2022, where his sacrifice will never be forgotten.

10/19/2026

Deputy Donnie R. Washington was remembered by the Richland County Sheriff's Department on Friday.

MUSTANG MONDAY!York Police Department Mustang Midnight Shift!
10/19/2026

MUSTANG MONDAY!

York Police Department Mustang Midnight Shift!

CONGRATULATIONS to the recipients of the Strom Thurmond Awards for Excellence in Law Enforcement, presented on Friday!
10/19/2026

CONGRATULATIONS to the recipients of the Strom Thurmond Awards for Excellence in Law Enforcement, presented on Friday!

CONGRATULATIONS to Basic Law Enforcement Class #866 as they graduate from the SC Criminal Justice Academy, today!
10/16/2026

CONGRATULATIONS to Basic Law Enforcement Class #866 as they graduate from the SC Criminal Justice Academy, today!

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5400 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC
29212

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Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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