Lexington County Sheriff's Department, South Carolina
End of Watch Sunday, November 22, 1953
Add to My HeroesJoseph Walton Price
Deputy Sheriff Joseph Price was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious vehicle near the intersection of Highway 215 and U.S. 321 in West Columbia.
Deputy Price was driving home at the end of his shift when he noticed a suspicious vehicle parked on the side of the road. As he approached the vehicle he encountered the suspect who was intoxicated and attacked Deputy Price with a knife. The man then drew a weapon and shot him several times.
Despite being mortally wounded, Deputy Price was able to return fire and then drive to the parking lot of a nearby business to summon help to his location.
The suspect remained at large for seven years. He was arrested in 1960, convicted of Deputy Price's murder, and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled in 1972.
Deputy Price had served with the Lexington County Sheriff's Department for one month and previously served with the South Carolina Highway Patrol for seven years. He was a United States Army veteran of WWII. He was survived by his wife and son.
Bio
- Age 31
- Tour 7 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Paroled in 1972
Most Recent Reflection
View all 9 ReflectionsYour heroism and service is honored today, the 57th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.
Rest In Peace
Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
November 22, 2010
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