Charleston Police Department, South Carolina
End of Watch: Friday, May 21, 1999
Age: 25
Tour of Duty: 7 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Date of Incident: May 21, 1999
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Officer Love was accidentally shot and killed by another officer as the two officers were being attacked by a man with a knife. The officers had responded to a domestic disturbance where the suspect had cut the phone lines to the house. The female subject was able to call for help after fleeing the home.
The responding officers entered the house through a window to search for the suspect. Unbeknownst to the officers, the electricity in the home had been shut off by the electric company. The suspect was encountered in a hallway and was threatening the officers with a knife, at which time the second officer fired two rounds. One round struck the suspect and one round struck Officer Love in the abdomen just below his vest. Officer Love and the suspect were both taken to a local hospital where they both later died from internal bleeding.
Officer Love had served with Charleston Police Department for less than one year. He is survived by his parents, brother, and sister.