Deputy Sheriff Theodore Turner

Theodore Turner

Deputy Theodore Turner was shot and killed while he and another deputy served commitment papers on a mental subject. The man was given permission from the two deputies to obtain some personal items before being removed from the home.

As the two deputies spoke on the front porch the suspect returned to the door and fired a shot from a 410 gauge shotgun, striking Deputy Turner in the back of the head.

The 51-year-old suspect was arrested following a massive manhunt and committed. In January of 1982 hospital officials deemed him competent to stand trial and returned him to Kershaw County. On August 19, 1982, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity at the time of the murder. He was released but he voluntarily recommitted himself back into the mental hospital for continued treatment.

Deputy Turner was survived by his wife and two children.