Agent Garnett Edward "Dick" Dabney

Garnett Edward "Dick" Dabney

Agent Garnett Dabney was shot and killed while making a raid at a grocery store near Lake Wylie, South Carolina. He and three other agents were watching the store for suspected sales of alcohol on Sundays. After observing two alcohol deliveries the agents raided the store.

As the unarmed agents took inventory of the seized alcohol the store owner opened fire with a .32 caliber handgun. Agent Dabney was struck twice in the back and once in the arm. A second agent was critically wounded. The suspect fled but was arrested a short time later.

On October 5, 1968, the suspect, 50 was convicted of assault with intent to kill the second agent and sentenced to 8 years. On March 5, 1970, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity of Agent Dabney's murder. His appeal of the 8 year sentence was denied and he was returned to prison. No commitment or any other action was considered in Agent Dabney's case.

Agent Dabney was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII. He had served with the South Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control for four years and had previously served with the Rock Hill Police Department for 14 years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and four sons.