Deputy Sheriff Austin Aldridge
Officer: Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Sheriff Austin Derek Aldridge
Date: 6/21/2022 Location: Spartanburg, SC FACTORS (1,4,7,15,18)
Perpetrator(s) Involved: Duane Leslie Heard
Criminal Activity History/Involved: Yes, Heard was arrested in October 2021 for resisting arrest and the traffic violation of pedestrian in the roadway. / Heard was involved in a domestic dispute which prompted the contact with law enforcement.
Mental Illness: Yes, the U.S. Post Office had a “Do Not Deliver” order for Heard’s home because he has made threats to postal workers and beat upon one of their trucks while the driver was trying to get away from his house.
Substance Abuse History/Involved: Unknown. / None reported.
Race/Sex/Age: White/Male/63
What prompted the initial contact with the killer? At around 3:20 p.m. on June 21, 2022, Deputy Sheriff Austin Aldridge responded to a residence in Spartanburg to handle a domestic dispute. Earlier in the day Duane Heard’s wife went to the sheriff’s office to report the incident and Deputy Aldridge went to their house to speak with Duane Heard about what happened.
Actions taken by subject toward police: Heard ambushed Deputy Aldridge, fatally shooting him with a rifle as the deputy was walking toward the house. After being confronted by a neighbor who overheard the shooting, Heard fled in a vehicle.
Reactions by the police: Another deputy observed Heard driving and pursued him. Heard faked surrendering and opened fire at the deputy who returned fire, striking Heard twice. Injured, Heard again drove away but crashed and shot at the deputies as he fled into the woods where he was eventually captured by SWAT and canine deputies.
How murdered? Deputy Aldridge was ambushed and fatally shot while investigating a domestic incident.
What could have been done differently for the officer to still be alive? NA, Deputy Aldridge was conducting an investigation and had no reason to suspect he would be murdered while just going to talk with Duane Heard.
Would the officer have been justified to use deadly force before being murdered? NA, Deputy Aldridge was ambushed and never had a chance to defend himself.
Outcome for the cop-killer: Heard was discovered unarmed and surrendered to the deputies who arrested him; he has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
