Cheraw Police Department, South Carolina
End of Watch Friday, March 7, 1884
Add to My HeroesWilliam H. H. Richards
Town Marshal William Richards was shot and mortally wounded by a man whom he attempted to arrest for being drunk and disruptive.
The suspect resisted arrest, managed to escape, and left town. Two days later the suspect returned and opened fire on the marshal from ambush, striking him in both lungs, as he sat on a box in front of a store. An innocent bystander was also shot and mortally wounded. Marshal Richards died ten days later.
The suspect barricaded himself in his family's plantation home near Cheraw. When the Chesterfield County Sheriff failed to take action, Governor Hugh Thompson ordered the state constable to arrest the suspect. On May 14, 1884, the suspect was shot and killed when he opened fire on a posse that surrounded his home.
Marshal Richards was survived by his wife and three children. He was a Civil War veteran, having served as a lieutenant with the 13th Massachusetts Infantry.
Bio
- Age 43
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Saturday, February 23, 1884
- Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 7 ReflectionsTown Marshal Richards,
On today, the 140th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the Union Army during the Civil War.
BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)
March 7, 2024
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