10/04/2026
Sergeant Terrence F. Carraway
Florence Police Department
End of Watch: October 3, 2018
Terrence Felipe Carraway was born in Florence to Delores “Sabra” Carraway Onwuka.
Terrence was an all-around athlete and graduated from Mayo High School in Darlington County, in June 1984.
He joined the Florence Police Department on October 28, 1987, and graduated from the Criminal Justice Academy with Basic Class #218, on November 11, 1988. He earned many awards during his rise to the rank of Sergeant at the Florence Police Department, including the Medal of Valor, Police Officer of the Year, and the “Hometown Hero” award.
He married Allison Greene on September 16, 1989.
He also served in the Air Force Reserve for 23 years as a Technical Sergeant/Security Forces Journeyman with the 315th Security Forces Squadron at the Charleston Air Force Base. In 2002, Sgt. Carraway was named “NCO of the Year World Wide,” the first African American Airman ever awarded that honor, and he was also selected as one of the Twelve Outstanding Airmen of 2002.
Sergeant Carraway was very active in his community, coaching Little League sports in Darlington for over 25 years. He assisted in establishing the Police Athletic League in Florence, mentored kids at the Boys & Girls Club of the P*e Dee, and served as an assistant football coach at Darlington High School. Sgt. Carraway served the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church as a member of the Usher’s Ministry, the Male Choir, the Young Adult Choir, and the Youth Ministry.
On October 3, 2018, Deputies from the Florence Sheriff’s Office were ambushed by a gunman with a r***e, as they attempted to serve a search warrant in an upscale local neighborhood. Learning that officers had been shot, Sergeant Carraway responded to the scene. Upon arrival, he disregarded the barrage of r***e fire as he attempted to rescue two injured officers. As he ran to the aid of the officers, Sergeant Carraway was struck by gunfire. He died at the scene as a result of his injuries. During the almost two-hour exchange of gunfire, seven officers were shot, including Sgt. Carraway and Florence County Deputy Farah Turner, who later died from her injuries. The two suspects were also shot and injured.
Funeral services were conducted at the Florence Center on Monday, October 8th. Hundreds of law enforcement officers from across the state attended the services and Sergeant Carraway was buried in Florence Memorial Gardens. Sgt. Carraway was survived by his wife, Allison, his two sons, Terrence Rashad Carraway and Tislam Larenzo Blathers, his three brothers, and his sister.
Sergeant Terrence F. Carraway was inducted into the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame on May 1, 2019, never to be forgotten.
Frederick T. Hopkins, Jr. was charged with Capital Murder in the deaths of Sergeant Terrence Carraway and Deputy Farah Turner. Following several years of motions and challenges, Hopkins pleaded guilty to shooting and killing Sgt. Carraway, and Investigator Turner, and the wounding of the other five officers. The plea agreement removed the death penalty and on October 19, 2023, Hopkins was sentenced to life in prison on the two counts of murder, and 30 years each on the five attempted murder charges, all to be served consecutively.
