WBTW

Fallen Florence County Deputy Farrah Turner receives traffic escort to Florence

A Florence County Sheriff’s Office investigator has died weeks after a shooting in Florence’s Vintage Place neighborhood. 

Florence County Coroner Keith von Lutcken confirmed that Farrah Turner died on Monday. 

Sheriff Kenney Boone and the FCSO “announce with great sadness the death of Investigator Farrah B. Turner on October 22, 2018,” a press release from the FCSO says. “Investigator Turner was mortally wounded in the line of duty while attempting to serve a search warrant on a residence in Florence County on October 3, 2018.”

“Farrah was the ultimate professional, excelling at everything she did,” Sheriff Kenney Boone stated in the release. “She dedicated her life to serving the victims of the worst crimes imaginable. Please pray for Farrah’s family, our FCSO family and for our community as we mourn her loss.”

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date, the release also says. 

Eight people were shot during the shooting at 932 Ashton Drive in Florence on October 3, including seven law enforcement officers.

FCSO Investigator Sarah Miller, FCSO Deputy Arie Davis, Florence police officer Brian Hart, Florence police officer Travis Scott, and Florence police officer Scott Williamson were also wounded in the shooting. Sgt. Terrence Carraway was killed in the shooting. 

Turner’s mother, Katie Godwin, released a statement on Monday morning, saying, in part: “This horrendous act of violence has altered my daughter’s life forever but I do believe that God has a plan for her.”

On Friday, News13 spoke with Turner’s cousin, Rhonda Dollard, who described Turner as funny and laidback.

Miller and Davis were released from the hospital on Friday. 

Florence Mayor Wukela said on October 4 that two Florence police officers were released from the hospital. 

A GoFundMe page for Farrah Turner can be found here

For more on other GoFundMe accounts for Sgt. Carraway and others involved in the shooting, click here.

The only law enforcement officer who remains hospitalized from the shooting is Florence Police Officer Scott Williamson. He’s being treated in Atlanta. According to Lt. Bob Drulis with Florence Police, Williamson is doing well and getting better each day. Lt. Drulis says Williamson has a long road ahead but he is in great spirits and is a ‘tough dude’.

Frederick Hopkins, Jr., 74,  is charged with six counts of attempted murder and one count of murder in relation to the shooting, according to warrants. Seth Hopkins is charged with second degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor victim 11 to 14 years of age and criminal sexual conduct in the first degree. 

WBTW News13 will provide updates as we receive them.