On a tragic evening in Charleston, South Carolina, the life of a dedicated public servant was cut short in a senseless act of violence. Private First Class Dennis Elisha LaPage, a 36-year-old Caucasian male and a seven-year veteran of the Charleston Police Department, was killed on January 19, 2002. His death was the culmination of a violent spree that began with a car accident.
The night's devastating events started with a three-car collision at the intersection of Cannon Street and
Courtenay Drive, near a hospital helicopter landing pad. Two flight medics, who were dining nearby, saw the crash and hurried to the scene to render aid. As they tended to the victims, one of the drivers involved in the accident, Marko Dupree Drayton, retrieved a. 40-caliber semi-automatic pistol from his car and opened fire on the two medics. One of the medics was fatally wounded.
Following the initial shooting, Drayton fled the scene. His path then crossed with PFC LaPage, who was in his police uniform while working an off-duty security detail at a private dormitory for College of Charleston students. Under the mistaken belief that the officer was searching for him, Drayton fired upon PFC LaPage, striking him in the head, back, and elbow. Even though he was wearing a protective vest, the wounds proved fatal. Drayton continued his rampage until he was apprehended by other officers on Meeting Street.
Marko Dupree Drayton, 19 at the time of the incident, was subsequently charged with two counts of murder, assault and battery with intent to kill, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. His trial concluded on October 23, 2002, with a conviction on two counts of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. PFC LaPage, a U.S. Navy veteran, was remembered as a devoted officer and family man, leaving behind a wife and two step-children.
