Kershaw County Sheriff's Department, South Carolina
End of Watch Thursday, February 21, 1974
Add to My HeroesErnest Christian Potter, III
Deputy Sheriff Ernest Potter was shot and killed when he and his partner stopped to investigate two men who were hitchhiking on I-20. As the deputies stepped out of their patrol car a third suspect surprised them from behind a guardrail and held them at gunpoint.
The three suspects walked the two deputies down an embankment where they opened fire on both deputies. Deputy Potter was struck in the head several times and killed. The other deputy was shot in the head and seriously wounded.
The three suspects had murdered Patrolman Richey Finch, of the Forest Acres Police Department, when Patrolman Finch stopped their vehicle several hours earlier. The shooter was sentenced to life plus 99 years. As of 2020 he was still in prison.
Deputy Potter was survived by his expectant wife and son. In 1997 his son became a Richland County Deputy.
Bio
- Age 23
- Tour 4 months
- Badge 14
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .357 caliber
- Offender Sentenced to life
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