"Heroes Live Forever" - the story of Beaufort County (SC) Corporals Dana L. Tate Sr., and Dyke "A.J." Coursen

A domestic violence call is one of the most dangerous a law enforcement officer will get. In 2002, it cost two veteran South Carolina officers their lives.

Corporal Dana L. Tate Sr. and Corporal Dyke “A.J.” Coursen

McLean, VA (December 9, 2025) - On January 8, 2002, a woman called the Beaufort County, South Carolina, Sheriff’s Office to say that her friend was being held by a man against her will and “needed help.” Lance Corporal Dana L. Tate Sr. and Corporal Dyke “A.J.” Coursen raced to the scene. When Deputies Tate and Coursen arrived, the man hid in a bedroom closet with a high-powered SKS assault rifle. As they searched the bedroom, the two deputies were shot multiple times. Both died at the scene. Corporal Tate managed to wound the gunman before succumbing to his injuries. The cop killer, a convicted felon out on parole, briefly escaped, but was soon found and ultimately sentenced to death for the two murders. He remains on death row. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office has said their deaths remain “a vivid reminder of the dangers of our profession. We will always remember and be inspired by the example they have given us. Their spirit remains, like a handprint on our hearts.”

Listen to the podcast to learn more: https://open.substack.com/pub/behindbadge/p/heroes-live-forever-the-story-of-3e4