01/06/2026
Today marks 36 years since the end of watch 01/06/1990 for Patrolman Joshua L. Milligan, who will never be forgotten. Respect, Honor, Remember, Always our hero!
Officer Joshua L. Milligan
St. Stephen Police Department
End of Watch: January 6, 1990
Joshua Lee Milligan was born in 1962. He graduated from Berkeley High School. Joshua married his wife Calerie, and together they had a daughter, Shakara in 1986.
Joshua worked with Murray Guard Service before joining the Moncks Corner Police Department as a Reserve Officer in 1987. In March of 1989, Joshua Milligan joined the St. Stephen Police Department as a full-time officer.
On Saturday, January 6, 1990, Officer Joshua Milligan was working the 4pm to midnight shift patrolling St. Stephen. At around 10:45 in the evening, a call came into the Police Department reporting that Carlos Morant had a knife and was beating his sister at her house on Roosevelt Road. The dispatcher could hear screaming in the background. Concerned for the woman’s safety, Officer Milligan rushed to the scene and entered the house, not waiting for backup. The sister had fled the home, and Carlos was the only one inside. Carlos came out of a back room and a struggle ensued. The dispatcher, concerned for Officer Milligan’s safety called the residence. As Officer Milligan reached to answer the wall phone in the kitchen, Carlos grabbed a steak knife off the table and plunged it into the Officer’s side. Carlos then took Officer Milligan’s service revolver and as he lay unconscious on the floor. Carlos walked outside, got into officer Milligan’s patrol car, and drove away.
Officer Milligan was flown by helicopter to the Medical University of South Carolina. The knife blade had penetrated the officer’s heart. As trauma surgeons attempted to repair the damaged heart, Officer Milligan died from his injury. He was 27 years old.
Carlos Morant was arrested about an hour later in Andrews, driving the patrol car and in possession of Officer Milligan’s handgun. He was lodged in the Berkeley County Jail, charged with murder along with stealing the officer’s car and gun.
Funeral services were conducted for Officer Joshua L. Milligan at the Centenary United Methodist Church, and he was buried in the Church Cemetery. He was survived by his wife and 3-year-old daughter.
Carlos Morant was tried and found not guilty by reason of insanity. He was committed to a state mental institution.
St. Stephen Police Officer Joshua L. Milligan was inducted into the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame in 1991, never to be forgotten.
The Milligan Police Summer Camp, named in honor of Officer Milligan, has been held for several years. Children have the opportunity to interact with local law enforcement, fire, and LifeNet personnel. The family of Officer Milligan volunteered their time and participated in this community-oriented event.
