SLED seeks leads in deputy death

A cop killer remains at large, and a $10,000 reward is still up for grabs.

Colleton County sheriff's Deputy Dennis Compton leaves behind grieving family members, co-workers and friends. They were stunned Aug. 6, when the cheerful deputy was killed in the line of duty.

Compton, 39, was checking on a burglar alarm at a house in Smoaks when he was shot to death. The case has not been solved, and on Friday the lead investigative agency, the State Law Enforcement Division, issued another plea for help.

"It is so important that the public tries to help with this investigation," said Jennifer Timmons, SLED communications director. "There could be a small piece of the puzzle that could really help solve the case."

Timmons said that while there initially were plenty of leads for investigators to follow, the number of leads have dwindled.

"It's hard for them to put their heads down at night knowing that person (the killer) is still out there," she said. "It's eating away at them."

Timmons said that no piece of information is too small. If someone has a nagging thought about the case, they should call it in, she said.

"We have to have closure for (Compton's) family," she said.

Authorities have declined to comment about three persons of interest in the case.

Some people called Compton DJ Spikey D, a name that stuck from the deputy's former career as a disc jockey at local nightclubs. His wife, Tabatha Compton, has said that he referred to himself as "The Entertainer."

He was still bringing smiles to other people's faces in June, when he mixed the music at a birthday bash for Colleton Chief Deputy Ted Stanfield.

It was easy to love Dennis Compton, his wife said.

Even some people who have been on the wrong side of the law liked Compton.

Robert Griffin of Walterboro said he was speeding on his motorcycle one day in Round O and Compton chased him down because he didn't initially stop for the deputy's blue lights. Griffin said he had no license, so Compton arrested him.

But Compton treated Griffin with kindness and respect, and Compton called Griffin's grandparents to help explain the jail and bond hearing process, Griffin said.

"Most cops wouldn't do that," Griffin said. "He was a real nice guy. He did his job well."

Griffin said he feels sorry for Compton's family.

"It's bad what happened to him," Griffin said. "I was one of the criminals, but I wouldn't wish that on anybody."

Peedee Grooms owns Peedee's garage just outside of Walterboro on U.S. Highway 15, where Compton has been a recent subject of conversation.

Grooms said he found it shocking that Compton was killed while responding to a home burglar alarm.

"There was nothing inside that house that was worth taking that officer's life," Grooms said. "Now his kids are going to have to grow up without a father."

In addition to his wife, Compton is survived by two children and two stepchildren.

Reach Nadine Parks at 937-5573 or nparks@postandcourier.com.