South Carolina Highway Patrol, South Carolina
End of Watch: Saturday, February 29, 1992
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Date of Incident: February 28, 1992
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 12 years
Trooper Merle Godbold was killed when his marked Ford Mustang patrol car was pushed into a bunch of trees by a drunk driver on U.S. Highway 1 in Kershaw County.
Trooper Godbold was en route to a trooper's call for assistance and had his lights and sirens activated. The driver left the scene but was apprehended an hour later. He pleaded guilty to felony drunk driving and was sentenced to 12 years.
Trooper Godbold had served with the South Carolina Highway Patrol for almost five years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, mother, brother, and sister.
On September 19th, 2009, Lance Corporal Jonathan Nash was killed in a motorcycle crash on the same highway while escorting a memorial charity ride in memory of Trooper Godbold.