Corporal Richard Varn Woods

Corporal Richard Varn Woods | South Carolina Highway Patrol, South Carolina
South Carolina Highway Patrol, South Carolina
Corporal Richard Varn Woods

South Carolina Highway Patrol, South Carolina

End of Watch Tuesday, August 19, 1969

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Richard Varn Woods

Corporal Richard Varn Woods was shot and killed near Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station while attempting to arrest three robbery suspects.

The shooting occurred as he attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding. Unbeknownst to Woods, the occupants had just committed an armed robbery. Trooper Woods died from his wounds four days later.

The suspect was extradited to South Carolina from Georgia in 1985 to continue his life sentence after escaping in 1971. The murderer was denied parole for the seventh time in March 2004 and later died in prison on May 11, 2008.

Corporal Woods served with the South Carolina Highway Patrol for nine years. He was survived by his wife and two children.

Bio

  • Age 34
  • Tour Not available
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Incident Date Friday, August 15, 1969
  • Weapon Gun; Unknown type
  • Offender Died in prison

arrest attempt, robbery

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I'm grateful for Corporal Woods' service. I was a Marine at Parris Island and later was a police officer. The bridge which is named after him is one of my favorite landmarks in Beaufort. I only recently learned who it was named after and why.

Ken Haney, Patrolman P-4 (Retired), Jackson Police Dept, TN

June 12, 2022

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