SCDPS Holds Line-Of-Duty Induction Ceremony For 14 Officers

For Immediate Release 
July 27, 2022
Contact: Kyle McGahee, 803-896-8747 

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety held induction ceremonies today – both virtually and with guests – to formally induct 14 officers into the SC Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame.

This year’s ceremony recognized 14 officers, with three being historical inductees dating as far back as 1874. Of the remaining 11 officers inducted into the Hall of Fame for 2021, seven died of complications from COVID-19; two died in collisions; one was struck and killed by a vehicle; and one died by vehicle assault.

“2021 was another difficult time for the law enforcement community in South Carolina as we laid to rest 11 officers across our state,” said SCDPS Director Robert G. Woods, IV. “The ceremony today recognizes each of those officers, along with several from many years ago, and allows us to come together with the families and the departments to remember and honor their service and contributions as they are formally and rightfully inducted into the SC Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame.”

Today’s ceremony brings the total number of South Carolina officers who are honored in the Hall of Fame Memorial Room to 418.   

The following were inducted for the 2021 calendar year. To view this year’s program, click here.

Private Henry Bluford
Newberry Police Department
End of Watch: October 19, 1874
(Shooting death)

Sheriff John McRoy Dozier
Marion County Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: September 27, 1917
(Stroke)

Officer Charles Harvey Birt
Barnwell Police Department
End of Watch: December 24, 1971
(Heart attack)

Sergeant Gordon William Best
North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety
End of Watch: January 1, 2021
(Motor vehicle collision)

Deputy Jonathan David Price
Marion County Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: January 6, 2021
(Motor vehicle collision)

Lance Corporal Melton “Foxx” Gore
Horry County Police Department
End of Watch: January 12, 2021
(Struck by vehicle)

Detective Sergeant Edward John Marcurella, Jr.
Colleton County Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: January 16, 2021
(COVID-19)

Sergeant Tommy Wayne Cudd
Union County Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: January 28, 2021
(COVID-19)

Officer Kevin Daniel Simmons
Aiken Department of Public Safety
End of Watch: August 15, 2021
(COVID-19)

Officer Dustin Michael Beasley
North Augusta Department of Public Safety
End of Watch: August 30, 2021
(COVID-19)

Officer Stephen Unique Jones
Barnwell Police Department
End of Watch: September 12, 2021
(COVID-19)

Lieutenant John Stewart
Lake City Police Department
End of Watch: September 17, 2021
(Vehicle assault)

Lieutenant John Christopher Brophy
Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: October 10, 2021
(COVID-19)

Team Leader Justin Barrett Gillespie
S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services
End of Watch: December 31, 2021
(COVID-19)

**Additional photos of today’s ceremony will be added to the DPS Facebook page. The ceremonies, held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., were virtually streamed and can be viewed on the SCDPS Facebook page.

Additional photos from today's ceremony can be found on the SCDPS Flickr account.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety includes the Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services, Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. Our mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving the people of South Carolina and its visitors.