SC police officer and Marine veteran killed on duty
A funeral has been arranged for a South Carolina police officer, and Marine veteran, who was killed while on duty Friday.
Cpl. James Eric Chapman, 30, died from injuries suffered in a single-vehicle wreck Dec. 8 when he was responding to a call for the Johnston Police Department.
Chapman’s funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 13 at Saluda Baptist Church, according to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, updating the venue from what had been listed in Chapman’s obituary. He will be buried in Ridge Spring Cemetery.
Chapman is survived by his wife, Tonya, and a daughter.
“Godspeed Brother we will take the watch from here,” a post on the Edgefield County Law Officers Association’s Facebook page said.
The incident occurred around 10:15 p.m. Friday, according to Edgefield County Coroner Thurmond Burnett.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol said Chapman was driving on Columbia Road when he went off the shoulder, hit some trees and was thrown out of his vehicle. He was taken to a hospital in Augusta, where he died less than two hours later.
“I never thought I would experience this.” Chief Lamaz Robinson said to wrdw.com, “I never guessed in a moment’s time that I would have to bury one of my officers.”
The incident is under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
There is no word if Chapman was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, according to multiple reports.
Chapman was a 2006 graduate of Saluda High School and was a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps and was deployed in Afghanistan, according to his obituary. He served in the Marines from 2010-14.
Law enforcement agencies and individuals across South Carolina, and beyond, have gone on to social media to share their condolences.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Johnston Police Department and the family of Officer James Chapman, who died from injuries sustained in a traffic collision Friday night. #LESM pic.twitter.com/ngz8zKqMC6
— Lexington Sheriff (@LCSD_News) December 9, 2017
James Eric Chapman, former 1/6 Hard, Cold Steel Marine and Johnston, S.C. policeman Cpl. Eric Chapman - End of Watch - Dec 8, 2017. Rest in Peace Marine. #16HARD, #HonorTheDead pic.twitter.com/c2WxAgAajp
— Kenneth Bodisch (@KBodisch) December 10, 2017
Always remember: Corporal James Eric Chapman, Johnston Police Department, South Carolina https://t.co/vGqA7KssGv pic.twitter.com/4J3xadFscw
— Ihaveflaws (@Ihave937flaws) December 11, 2017
Johnston Police Officer James Eric Chapman Funeral Arrangements - https://t.co/OqBeNYP9QR pic.twitter.com/mxpeDQAbKg
— Tri-County FOP #3 (@scfop3) December 11, 2017
End of Watch: We are deeply saddened that we report the loss of Johnston Police Department Corporal James Eric Chapman. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of this hero. May you rest in peace. Gone but never forgotten.#LODD #Rememberthefallen pic.twitter.com/u3GYIozLYS
— RosemontPublicSafety (@RSMTpolicefire) December 11, 2017
In Memoriam Corporal James Eric Chapman - https://t.co/j63CG5i0sU via @Shareaholic
— LawEnforcementToday (@LawEnforceToday) December 11, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are with family, friends and colleagues of Corporal James Eric Chapman. #EOW1282017 pic.twitter.com/o2oUAsCC7l
— Takoma Park Police (@TakomaParkPD) December 11, 2017
#AlwaysRemembered Corporal James Eric Chapman. Corporal Chapman was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Johnston Police Department for 2-1/2 years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, three stepchildren, parents, and two sisters. https://t.co/OaZAUvIAuW
— Cross-eyed Girl (@Ortsac66) December 11, 2017
RIP Corporal James Eric Chapman, Johnston (SC) Police Departmenthttps://t.co/2XH8U5U3ND pic.twitter.com/mBELdAfI3c
— NLEOMF (@NLEOMF) December 11, 2017
We are saddened by the loss of Johnston (SC) Police Officer James Eric Chapman, who died Friday night in a single-vehicle accident. pic.twitter.com/bQ1wHOj7zb
— Police Foundation (@PoliceFound) December 11, 2017
Rest in Peace Corporal James Eric Chapman, Johnston Police Department, South Carolina https://t.co/Vzv6miXGvG Killed in Automobile Crash while Responding to Officer's Call for Backup with an Armed Individual ~ EOW 12/08/2017
— Sgt. Curt Durnil (@ISPBloomington) December 11, 2017
Our sympathies to the family and colleagues of Johnston (SC) Police Department Corporal James Eric Chapman who was killed in a vehicle crash on Friday, December 8th. #LODD pic.twitter.com/iljru7CtRB
— COPS Office (@COPSOffice) December 11, 2017
My thoughts are also with the Johnston, SC Police Dept. for the loss of Corporal James Eric Chapman; killed in a vehicle crash while on his way to back up his fellow officer who was dealing with an armed subject. pic.twitter.com/7kVxbmA7M9
— MPO Brian Kelly (@OBK_SRO) December 11, 2017
My condolences to the family and friends of Corporal James Eric Chapman. #RIP #FallenHero #NeverForgotten #BlueLivesMatter #BlueLivesMatter #BlueFamiliesMatter @ChicagoPD19 @BFTFChicago pic.twitter.com/m0oClpByoR
— Chicago's Finest (@ChicagosFines19) December 11, 2017
The officers of the Summerville Police Department are wearing our mourning bands in memory of Johnson South Carolina Police Officer, James Eric Chapman, who was killed in the Line-of-Duty on 8 December 2017 in a vehicle collision. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. pic.twitter.com/JSOATMSzNw
— Summerville Police (@SPDSC) December 9, 2017
This story was originally published December 11, 2017 at 5:02 PM with the headline "SC police officer and Marine veteran killed on duty."