On a crisp Christmas Eve in 1992, a domestic disturbance call on Heyward Brockington Road in Richland County, South Carolina, took a tragic turn, ending the life of a dedicated law enforcement officer. Deputy Sheriff Edward Joseph Alva, a 27-year-old male, was a four-year veteran of the Richland County Sheriff's Department with a previous year of service with the Alaska State Troopers.
That evening, he and his partner, Deputy Lonnie Rolls, responded to a call involving a mentally ill individual.
The situation escalated quickly, leading to a physical struggle between the deputies and the man. In the ensuing chaos, the man reportedly seized Deputy Alva's firearm. In an attempt to subdue the individual, Deputy Alva ordered his partner to shoot him. Instead, Deputy Rolls used his own gun to strike the man over the head. The impact caused the weapon to discharge, and the bullet tragically struck Deputy Alva in the head, killing him instantly.
The death of Deputy Alva was a devastating blow to his family, friends, and the law enforcement community. He was survived by his two daughters, parents, and a sister. In the aftermath, the incident was described as a tragic accident, and there were no criminal charges filed against Deputy Rolls.
Years later, the estate of Edward Joseph Alva, on behalf of his minor children, filed a lawsuit against the Richland County Sheriff, Allen Sloan. The lawsuit alleged that Deputy Rolls had violated department regulations and that Sheriff Sloan had failed to ensure Rolls was properly trained before being sent on patrol. The suit claimed these failures led to Alva's death, violating his constitutional rights. However, the court ultimately dismissed the case, finding that Deputy Rolls's actions, while tragic in their outcome, did not constitute a misuse of power under the Fourth Amendment as the shooting was unintentional.
