Captain James Edward Myers, 56, a long-serving member of the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety, was ambushed and killed on his Calhoun County property on July 18, 2004. A veteran who began as a firefighter in 1974 and rose to police captain, Myers was described as a quiet leader devoted to service.

When Myers arrived, Mahdi shot him nine times, then attempted to burn the body with diesel fuel before stealing the officer’s service vehicle and fleeing. Mahdi was later apprehended and in a letter admitted guilt; he pleaded guilty to the murder on November 30, 2006, and was sentenced on December 8, 2006.

Myers was survived by his wife, daughter, granddaughter, sister, and father. Does anyone have memories of Captain Myers or information about the night of July 18, 2004?