Colleton County Sheriff's Office, South Carolina
End of Watch: Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 4 months
Badge Number: S-535
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 6, 2008
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 12 gauge
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Deputy Sheriff Dennis Compton was shot and killed while responding to a residential alarm call on Sunflower Drive, in Smoaks, at approximately 3:00 am.
The homeowner's son had also been notified of the alarm by the alarm company. When he arrived at the home he found Deputy Compton wounded and used his radio to alert dispatchers.
In September 2008 two suspects were arrested and charged with Deputy Compton's murder. Both were convicted of murder and subsequently sentenced to life in prison in December 2011.
Deputy Compton had served with the Colleton County Sheriff's Office for sixteen months, starting as a detention center officer. He is survived by his wife and four children.