In the late summer of 1977, a domestic disturbance call set in motion a chain of events that would end in tragedy for the Laurens County Sheriff's Office and the family of one of its own. On Tuesday, September 20th, Deputy Sheriff Sherman Robert Massey, a 59-year-old male, along with two of his fellow deputies, arrived at a residence to serve a warrant.
What began as a routine call would quickly escalate into a violent confrontation.
Upon their arrival, the deputies were met by a man brandishing a. 38 caliber handgun. Through careful de-escalation, the officers managed to convince the armed individual to place the weapon in his belt. For a moment, it seemed as though the tense situation might be resolved without bloodshed. However, the calm was shattered in an instant when the man suddenly drew the handgun again and began firing at the deputies who were there to help.
In the ensuing chaos, Deputy Massey was struck in the throat by a bullet, a fatal wound that would cut his life short. Another of the deputies was also hit, sustaining a wound to the abdomen. The third deputy, miraculously unharmed, was able to return fire, and in doing so, he killed the suspect at the scene, preventing any further loss of life.
The sudden and violent death of Deputy Massey was a stark reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty. The suspect in his death was killed at the scene by the third deputy, bringing a swift and final end to the confrontation, but leaving a lasting impact on the community and the law enforcement family that Deputy Massey had served.
