IN MEMORIUM

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Lance Corporal Dana Tate and Corporal Dyke "A.J." Coursen were shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call on Riley Road, in Burton, at approximately 1600 hours on Tuesday, January 8, 2002. 

A female had called the Sheriff's Office and complained about her and her young child being held against their will by her boyfriend. While the deputies were investigating, they were shot by the boyfriend, who was armed with a semi-automatic rifle and was hiding inside a bedroom closet.

Deputy Coursen was killed, but Deputy Tate was able to shoot and wound the suspect before he died. The suspect was later taken into custody after a search. Thesuspect was sentenced to death in 2003.

Lance Corporal Tate was a U.S. Navy veteran and had been a member of the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office for over four years. He is survived by his family, wife Marie; children Dayna K., Dana Jr., Rashauna, and Denise; parents Don and Thelma; brothers Don E. and his wife Sharon; Steven and his wife Jerry; grandchildren; mother-in-law Denise; father-in-law Roland; brother-in-law Reginald; sister-in-law Marlyne; nieces and nephews; co-workers; family and friends; those who he had served with him during his 20 year Navy military and four year law enforcement careers and his dogs Max and Axel. 

 Coursen-Tate Memorial Park Dedication 

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office wishes to extend a public invitation to the upcoming dedication ceremony for the Coursen-Tate Memorial Park.

The park is named for Corporal Dyke “A.J.” Coursen and Lance Corporal Dana Lyle Tate, Sr. who were shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance on Tuesday, January 8, 2002. Both men lived on Lady’s Island with their families at the time of the shooting.

WHO:        Beaufort County Sheriff PJ Tanner
                       Beaufort County Council Chairman Weston Newton
                       Beaufort County Council Vice-Chairman Paul Sommerville (District 7)

WHAT:      Coursen-Tate Memorial Park Dedication Ceremony

 WHEN:     Friday, November 9th, 2012 @ 12:00 PM

WHERE:   Coursen-Tate Memorial Park
                       10 Springfield Road (near intersection of Springfield Road and Sams Point Road)
                       Lady’s Island, SC 29907

                                           "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Matthew 5:9 (NIV)