Heroes’ Day ceremony in Florence honors officers killed, wounded in 2018 ambush

FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) — The Florence Police Department conducted a Heroes’ Day ceremony Thursday morning on the anniversary of one of the darkest days in the county’s law-enforcement history.

“6 years ago, we received the call that all LEOs fear, ‘Officer Down,'” the department posted Thursday morning on Facebook. “Without hesitation, our brave officers rushed to aid our partners at the Florence County Sheriff’s Office. The tragic events that followed left 7 law enforcement officers shot, with two heroes, Sergeant Terrence Carraway and Investigator Farrah Turner, ultimately losing their lives.

“Though they’ve ended their watch, their memories will live on forever in our hearts. We also remember the heroic efforts of all our officers who risked it all that day to protect their fellow man. Many still carry both physical and emotional scars from this day. The days that followed were tough, but the support from this community was unparalleled. We’ll never forget your kindness during our darkest hours.”

Carraway worked for the Florence Police Department, while Turner was an investigator with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office. Carraway’s widow Allison spoke at the ceremony, remembering the life of her husband.

“It’s different every year, but it still hurts every year because he was taken from us so senselessly,” she said. “We are his family, and we will continue the legacy of Carraway because he did so much good in the community and we cannot let that stop.”

Allison said she’s grateful the police department and county commemorates this date every year with a wreath laying ceremony.

“This day is just very special to us because this is the day that he went on to heaven to [be] that peacemaker for Jesus,” she said.

Allison said after the ceremony, her family visits Terrence at the mausoleum. Turner’s mother, Katie Godwin, also started a tradition for Heroes Day.

“We started feeding the heroes, all of Florence County’s first responders at the sheriff’s department from 12 to 2,” Godwin said. “And that keeps me busy. I’m busy serving and I don’t really think about the day a whole lot once I get to the sheriff’s department.”

Fred Hopkins Jr. pleaded guilty a year ago to the October 2018 Vintage Place neighborhood ambush and was sentenced to life in prison.

The shooting happened after officers went to Hopkins’s home to interview his 28-year-old son, Seth David Hopkins, about sex crimes against a child, according to police.

News13 had a team at the ceremony and will have full coverage of the ceremony during our afternoon and evening newscasts.

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Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13 . He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook , X, formerly Twitter , and read more of his work here .

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Jackie LiBrizzi is a multimedia journalist at News13. Jackie is originally from Hamilton, New Jersey, and was raised in Piedmont, South Carolina. Jackie joined the News13 team in June 2023 after she graduated as a student-athlete from the University of South Carolina in May 2023. Follow Jackie on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook , or Instagram , and read more of her work he r e .

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