Deputy Sheriff Gary E. Fairey

Gary E. Fairey

Deputy Sheriff Gary Fairey was shot and fatally wounded and Chief Walter Dukes was shot and killed when they attempted to serve a warrant on a man at his home in Branchville.

Earlier in the day the suspect had been causing a scene and brandishing a weapon, which was confiscated. The suspect then threatened the Mayor with another firearm, demanding his previous weapon be returned, which lead to a warrant being issued for his arrest.

When Sheriff Dukes and Deputy Sheriff Fairey attempted to issue the warrant, the suspect asked, and was granted, permission to get his hat, but instead he grabbed a gun and opened fire. Chief Dukes died en route to the hospital in Orangeburg. Deputy Fairey was shot through the chest but was able to return fire and killed the suspect. Deputy Fairey died at the county hospital four days later.