Killed in the line of duty.
He and a fellow officer had stopped two hitchhikers on I-20, near the town of Elgin, SC. While questioning the two hitchhikers, a third hitchhiker came out of hiding, getting the drop on the officers. After being disarmed, the officers were ordered to walk towards the woods, away from the interstate. Both officers decided to run, and were cut down in a hail of pistol fire.
Deputy Potter died instantly. His partner survived.
The trio that murdered Deputy Potter also murdered Forest Acres Patrolman Richey O. Finch earlier that day during a traffic stop, and auto parts dealer C. Elmer Joyner the day before that.
Eventually surrendering, only one of Deputy Potter's assailants was ever convicted for the murder, even though some evidence indicated that Deputy Potter was shot by 3 different handguns. Theodore Byrd is currently serving a life sentence plus 85 years. The other two assailants were sentenced to 20 years for lesser crimes.
****Source is the Chronicle-Independent, Camden, SC. Also lists DOD as 02/21/1974.
He and a fellow officer had stopped two hitchhikers on I-20, near the town of Elgin, SC. While questioning the two hitchhikers, a third hitchhiker came out of hiding, getting the drop on the officers. After being disarmed, the officers were ordered to walk towards the woods, away from the interstate. Both officers decided to run, and were cut down in a hail of pistol fire.
Deputy Potter died instantly. His partner survived.
The trio that murdered Deputy Potter also murdered Forest Acres Patrolman Richey O. Finch earlier that day during a traffic stop, and auto parts dealer C. Elmer Joyner the day before that.
Eventually surrendering, only one of Deputy Potter's assailants was ever convicted for the murder, even though some evidence indicated that Deputy Potter was shot by 3 different handguns. Theodore Byrd is currently serving a life sentence plus 85 years. The other two assailants were sentenced to 20 years for lesser crimes.
****Source is the Chronicle-Independent, Camden, SC. Also lists DOD as 02/21/1974.
Killed in the line of duty.
He and a fellow officer had stopped two hitchhikers on I-20, near the town of Elgin, SC. While questioning the two hitchhikers, a third hitchhiker came out of hiding, getting the drop on the officers. After being disarmed, the officers were ordered to walk towards the woods, away from the interstate. Both officers decided to run, and were cut down in a hail of pistol fire.
Deputy Potter died instantly. His partner survived.
The trio that murdered Deputy Potter also murdered Forest Acres Patrolman Richey O. Finch earlier that day during a traffic stop, and auto parts dealer C. Elmer Joyner the day before that.
Eventually surrendering, only one of Deputy Potter's assailants was ever convicted for the murder, even though some evidence indicated that Deputy Potter was shot by 3 different handguns. Theodore Byrd is currently serving a life sentence plus 85 years. The other two assailants were sentenced to 20 years for lesser crimes.
****Source is the Chronicle-Independent, Camden, SC. Also lists DOD as 02/21/1974.
He and a fellow officer had stopped two hitchhikers on I-20, near the town of Elgin, SC. While questioning the two hitchhikers, a third hitchhiker came out of hiding, getting the drop on the officers. After being disarmed, the officers were ordered to walk towards the woods, away from the interstate. Both officers decided to run, and were cut down in a hail of pistol fire.
Deputy Potter died instantly. His partner survived.
The trio that murdered Deputy Potter also murdered Forest Acres Patrolman Richey O. Finch earlier that day during a traffic stop, and auto parts dealer C. Elmer Joyner the day before that.
Eventually surrendering, only one of Deputy Potter's assailants was ever convicted for the murder, even though some evidence indicated that Deputy Potter was shot by 3 different handguns. Theodore Byrd is currently serving a life sentence plus 85 years. The other two assailants were sentenced to 20 years for lesser crimes.
****Source is the Chronicle-Independent, Camden, SC. Also lists DOD as 02/21/1974.
