DAVID OWEN
OFFICER DOWN! THE PERSEVERANCE OF KIMBER GIST AND THE MURDAUGH MURDERS
Born and raised in South Carolina, Owen began his Law Enforcement career with his hometown agency, the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety (ODPS) in May 1996. In 1999, David moved to the Charleston, SC area, working for the Folly Beach Department of Public Safety (FBPSD) and later in 2002, the Charleston County Sheriff's Office (CCSO).
While with CCSO, David worked as a Crime Scene Investigator, Fire/ Arson Investigator, Auto Theft and Property Crimes Detective and Violent Crimes Detective. In 2012, David was promoted the rank of Sergeant and would ultimately supervise a patrol squad, School Resources Deputies, the Special Victims Unit, Property Crimes Unit, and the Gang Intelligence Unit (GIU), which was a collateral assignment. David would later turn the GIU into an investigative unit having two detectives assigned to the unit, one working as a Task Force Officer with Homeland Security. David's last assignment with CCSO was as an Administrative Sergeant overseeing Policy and Procedures and State and CALEA Accreditation. David attended various aspects of training in discipline over the years.
In July 2015, David accepted a position as a Special Agent (S/A) with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, commonly known as SLED, assigned to Investigative Services - Low Country Region. The Low Country Region covers a total of 12 counties in the lower part of the State that borders Georgia. Half of those counties are rural and lack many resources to investigate major or complex cases. Although not required by State law, it is common for SLED to investigate matters involving law enforcement officer's actions, to include but not limited to Use of Force incidents.
After 28 years, David retired from active Law Enforcement in June 2024, but still holds a State Constable (Inactive) Commission.
PRESENTATION
OFFICER DOWN! THE PERSEVERANCE OF KIMBER GIST
On February 26, 2016, Berkeley County Sheriff's Office (SC) Corporal (Cpl.) Kimber Gist encountered a suspicious vehicle parked behind a closed Food Lion grocery store. The vehicle was occupied by Quincy Likely and Travis Smith, or was it Cantelle Smith?,... a fight and shooting occurred.
Cpl. Gist sustained multiple gunshot wounds, literally from head to toe. During the shooting her portable radio was shot and disabled. Cpl. Gist was able to get to her feet and run for assistance. A 911 call was made to Berkeley County by a passerby. The caller reported that "144 was shot" and provided the location.
Through the twists and turns of the investigation and her recovery, Cpl. Gist persevered and would later return to full duty!
PRESENTATION
THE MURDAUGH MURDERS
On June 21, 2021, Alex Murdaugh called 911 to report that he found his wife Maggie and their son Paul murdered. Alex Murdaugh advised the call taker that the reason for the murders was due to his son's involvement in a boat crash in February 2019, in which Mallory Beach was killed. Alex Murdaugh would later provide the same reasoning to investigators as he continued to lie about his presence at the murder scene just moments before the murders.