On a Sunday afternoon, March 25, 2007, a call regarding a domestic disturbance outside a laundromat on U.S. Highway 17A set in motion a tragic chain of events for the Moncks Corner Police Department. Corporal Marcus D. Stiles, a 26-year-old male officer, along with his colleague, Private First Class Lonnie Wells, responded to the call, tracing a license plate to a residence on the outskirts of town.
Born on December 30, 1980, Stiles was a promising young officer who had been with the department since August 2005 and had recently been promoted to the role of Field Training Officer.
Upon their separate arrival at the location, the officers were met with sudden and unexpected violence. A man at the residence opened fire on them without warning. Corporal Stiles was struck immediately and fell to the ground with critical injuries. Officer Wells managed to return fire, injuring the assailant, but was fatally shot at close range. The gunman then fled the scene, stealing Officer Wells' patrol car and leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase.
Corporal Stiles was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, he succumbed to his wounds the following day, March 26, 2007. His dedication to service and the ultimate sacrifice he made are remembered by his parents, two sisters, and his girlfriend, whom he left behind. The suspect in the shooting was killed by a deputy from the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office during the pursuit, bringing a swift end to the violent rampage but leaving a lasting scar on the community and the law enforcement family.
