‘End of watch’

Colleagues, friends and family from around the state gathered Wednesday to remember the 96 active and retired S.C. law enforcement professionals who died in 2007 — including seven killed in the line of duty:

Kevin Earl Carper

Spartanburg County deputy

Died Feb. 27 after being shot in the chest in an exchange of gunfire during a foot pursuit of a suspect after a traffic stop. He was 39.

Michael Deese

Dorchester County sheriff’s corporal

Died March 9 on his way to his patrol area when a car traveling on I-26 near Harleyville in Dorchester County crossed the median and struck his patrol vehicle. Deese and his Belgian malinois K-9, Sonja, died on impact. He was 38.

Lonnie Michael Wells

Moncks Corner police private first class

Died March 25 after being shot while responding to a domestic-violence call. He was 40.

Marcus Davis Stiles

Moncks Corner police corporal

Died March 26, a day after being shot in the head while responding to the same call as Wells. He was 26.

Robert L. Bailey Sr.

State constable

Died May 14 after he was shot several times after a traffic stop in Lincolnville. His body was later found 50 miles away. His cruiser was burned. He was 67.

Benjamin Riley

Jasper County sheriff

Died Aug. 29 in a two-vehicle wreck while running errands in the small town of Ehrhardt in Bamberg County. He was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected. He was 61.

Darral Keith Lane

Richland County deputy

Died Dec. 14 after suffering a heart attack following a vehicle pursuit and his apprehension of two suspects. He was 41.

SC Fraternal Order of Police