Police Officer Joseph Seawell Gunnell, West Columbia Police Department, South Carolina

Police Officer Joseph Seawell Gunnell

West Columbia Police Department, South Carolina

End of Watch Friday, July 22, 1949

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Joseph Seawell Gunnell

Officer Joe Gunnell was killed in an automobile crash while he and another officer responded to reports of two men sleeping on Highway 43 (current-day 378), about four miles west of Columbia.

As the officers came upon the area, the other officer failed to see the men in the curve of the roadway until the last moment and swerved to avoid striking them. The vehicle went down an embankment and into a ditch. Officer Gunnell suffered fatal injuries in the accident.

Officer Gunnell was a United States Army WWII veteran and had served with the West Columbia Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife, young daughter, parents, two sisters, and one brother.

Bio

Age 28
Tour 3 years
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Automobile crash

suspicious person, vehicle crash

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Most Recent Reflection

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Officer Gunnell,
On today, the 75th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

July 22, 2024