Chester County Sheriff's Department, South Carolina
End of Watch: Saturday, May 9, 1970
Age:
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 9, 1970
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 12 gauge
Suspect Info: Died in prison
Lieutenant James Waters and Deputy William Doster were shot and killed while serving a warrant to a local farmer. The deputies, and a third deputy, had gone to the location and served the warrant. The suspect paid the fine on the spot and was issued a bond receipt. As the deputies returned to the patrol car the suspect stepped back out of his house and opened fire on them with a 12-gauge shotgun. Lieutenant Waters and Deputy Doster were both killed. The third deputy was seriously wounded.
The suspect drove to the Rock Hill Police Department where he turned himself in. He was convicted of both murders and sentenced to life. He died in prison while serving his sentence.
Lieutenant Waters had served with the agency for 20 years.