Widow of slain deputy pleads for informationBy Andy Paras (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Video
Tabatha Compton pleas to the public for information about the shooting death of her husband, Colleton County Deputy Dennis Compton, at a press conference Wednesday. Watch » 
PROVIDED Authorities are asking for information about this medium-size T-shirt that was found on Sunflower Drive, about a half-mile from the scene, the day Colleton County Deputy Dennis Compton was shot and killed. Previous storiesSLED seeks leads in deputy death published 08/23/08 10,000 dollar reward offered in deputy slaying case, published 08/14/08 Family, friends bid farewell to deputy, published, published 08/10/08 WALTERBORO — Tabatha Compton pleaded through tears Wednesday for someone, anyone, to come forward with information about who shot and killed her husband, Colleton County Deputy Dennis Compton, nearly a month ago. "I would just like to say that my family and I plead with anybody who might have any information, whether it's small or large, to please come forward in the killing of my husband and the father of my children," she said, shortly before sobbing and embracing a friend. Compton appeared at a press conference in which authorities, after exhausting more than 300 leads, announced that the reward money has grown from $10,000 to $25,000. They also said a T-shirt found about a half-mile from the crime scene may or may not be evidence. The 39-year-old deputy was shot around 3 a.m. on Aug. 6 while responding to a burglar alarm at 699 Sunflower Drive near Smoaks. No one was home at the time, but the alarm company called the homeowner's son, who arrived about 20 minutes later and found the deputy in the front yard. He used the deputy's radio to call for help. Scores of law enforcement officers immediately converged on the area, about 20 miles from Walterboro, searching cars and combing the woods, looking for evidence. State Law Enforcement Division Capt. Roger Heaton said they found a T-shirt about a half-mile away from the house on Sunflower Drive. The medium-size T-shirt says, together in black and white letters, "It's nice to Meet you. You realLY seem like an interestING person." The white letters spell out, "I'M LYING." Heaton asked anyone who knows whose shirt it is to contact investigators. "We're absolutely not sure if it's a piece of evidence, but what we would ask is, if for some reason this was your T-shirt and you threw it out on the side of the road at some point in time, please contact the investigators and let us know so we can eliminate this and not have to deal with it." Heaton also disclosed that a sheriff's substation located a couple of miles from the scene had been burglarized within three or four days of the shooting but that he didn't know if it was related to the case. Deputies don't visit the substation on a daily basis, and the break-in was discovered after the shooting. Heaton said he couldn't recall any of the items that were taken. In all, investigators have collected more than 190 pieces of evidence and amassed more than 5,000 man hours in hopes of making an arrest. Heaton said they have talked to dozens of "persons of interest" but so far no one has been arrested in connection with this case. Authorities said "persons of interest" taken into custody Aug. 6 were questioned but were not labeled as suspects. They hope an extra $15,000 in reward money will jar some memories. Two representatives from the National Police Defense Foundation in Morganville, N.J., traveled to Walterboro and pledged $10,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a suspect or suspects. The 100,000-strong organization provides money in officer deaths because, "We will not tolerate the increased onslaught on our police," Executive Director Joseph Occhipinti said. "We're talking about a significant amount of money," Occhipinti said. "We'll pay you cash, no questions asked. Come up with the information, help law enforcement and do the right thing." The local law firm of Hetrick, Harvin & Bonds threw in an additional $5,000 reward and "challenged" other Walterboro and Colleton County businesses to also contribute. "These officers serve us," said John Hetrick. "They put their lives on the line. ... We owe the families and the sheriff's department and the other law enforcement officers our support to try and bring these people responsible to justice." Reach Andy Paras at 745-5891 or aparas@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 10 comment(s)
Posted by CedarPosts on September 4, 2008 at 4:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's a sad commentary that we have to up the reward to prompt someone to do the right thing.
My heart hurts for Tabatha Compton. I know the pain that wakes her at 3 AM. She is not looking for justice, only why?
www.cedarposts.blogspot.com
Posted by moonpie on September 4, 2008 at 6:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yep somebody knows something. I thought they had someone in the beginning that was suspect?
Posted by grannyofseven_2 on September 4, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It will be hard to find a jury in Colleton County that will be impartial. A lot of people have had contact with Deputy Compton
At one time or other and he was very well liked. Bet they will have to move his trial.
Tabatha my Prayers are still with you dear.
Posted by MR_PRETTY on September 4, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
S.C BRAVEST, R.I.P MR. COMPTON.
Posted by STREETLAW on September 4, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I looked at a site called Felon Spy and it seems 6 convicted felons live with a few hundred yards of the house where the officer was shot. If fact, it almost seems like Smoaks is the felon capitol of SC. Any one of them could have put a shotgun on their shoulder and walked to the house.
Since a police station in the area has been broken into several times, one of these perps may have been involved or know who was. Have they all been questioned. How about finger prints, footprints, DNA from both the house and police station?
I hope the obvious is being done to try and catch this killer, and that police will never again be sent into a high felon area without backup.
Fallen Peace Officer's families deserve the same level of financial assistance given firefighters, and I hope it is forthcoming for the Compton's.
Posted by Satanssybil2007 on September 4, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I extend my deepest sympathy to the family of this deputy. First and utmost he was a husband and a father and his family is in my prayers. As for the a**hole who committed this heinous crime your time is coming and your life is over so run while you can.........you f-ing coward
Posted by BulldogTLC on September 4, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Felony Spy is a joke, it changes everytime you put in an address. I actually had a 65 year old man involved in the gang rape of an 11 year old living in the woods behind my house last time I looked at. It's not for real. Hope the catch whoever did this.
Posted by Perspective on September 4, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I find it hard to believe that Thomas and wpc3iop comment about this officer.
One is opposed to police swat team members having tactically effecient bullet resistant vests, saying it is a waste of money that belongs to the taxpayers.
The other continuously refers to traffic enforcement police as "revenue enhancement officers". More than 30,000 people are killed in avoidable traffic accidents every year. That is 10 times the number killed on 9/11. But, No. In his opinion the police are collecting revenue, not saving lives. Does he think that city employees really care where the cities and state get their revenue?
It is sad to see such anti-government and anti-police people out there. So what do they care. That is just one less waste of tax money for them and less chance of getting a ticket as they speed down the road.
The cop killer should be caught and brought to justice, but having family in government and law enforcement I would hate to see either of you actually on a jury to let him go free.
Posted by Perspective on September 4, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ps: Thomas - I didn't need to call you a dillweed the other day and I apologize, but your anti-government rhetoric makes me feel sick.
Posted by k5 on September 4, 2008 at 9:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This isn't supposed to be about any of you all or the problems that you have with each other Perspective! Thomas1776 has actually been compasionate with this story from the beginning - can't anyone leave it alone!!!! It's hard enough on everyone as it is!