William Patrick Messer Charleston County Police Department Friday, March 12, 1976

Detective Messer was killed after being dragged to death underneath a vehicle. He and other detectives were making a traffic stop on a suspected drug dealer at the time. When Detective Messer ran to the passenger side of the vehicle the suspect sped away, dragging Detective Messer several hundred feet. Detective Messer was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The suspect turned himself in the next day and was sentenced to 27 years in prison. He was paroled after serving only 9 years. Detective Messer was survived by his wife and daughter. William Patrick Messer's name has been engraved at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, DC. His name can be located on panel 23, W -12. A plaque bearing William Patrick Messer's name is displayed at the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame in Columbia. Views: 1,241

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