Captain James Myers, a beloved officer of the Orangeburg Public Safety Department, was murdered at the age of 56, leaving behind a community in mourning. Early life Myers was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina. A tragic event soon took place on his farm. He had worked day and night to turn it into a safe haven for his family.
On another ideal summer day, Myers and his wife, Amy Tripp Myers, awakened feeling rejuvenated. We wished to know as a result of that they had spent the night time camping on their newly acquired farmland. “We awoke to mist rising off the pond − our pond − the pond where our dreams would become a reality,” Amy recalled. That peace was upended in May 1981, when Mikal Mahdi brutally beat Myers in a tool shed on their property. This violent confrontation subsequently preceded a gruesome sequence of events lasting nine gunshots and an alleged arson.
A Life of Service and Commitment
James Myers was perhaps best known for his unwavering personal commitment to public service excellence. His Orlando Sentinel obituary was full of praise for his leadership and commitment to the Orangeburg community. For over ¼ century, he lived this motto of “service above self.” It was his commitment, however, that won him the esteem and respect of both his superiors and subordinates.
Myers’ life hardly revolved around work, as he was a passionate outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting, and even scuba diving. Whether it was hiking through the woods or catching butterflies, Dad enjoyed spending time outdoors, frequently bringing the family along for the adventures. His lifelong love of the outdoors was apparent in how much he cared for his farmland—which had long been his dream.
As a present to himself for turning 53, he made the decision to buy an island. This land quickly transformed into a dream space that represented their hopes and future plans together. Unfortunately, their dreams were cut short.
The Tragic Incident
Captain Myers was ambushed on his farm and killed only after he was alone with no protection. Mikal Mahdi, a leader of the C.O.R.E. He then went on to do the unimaginable by pouring diesel fuel on Myers’ body, igniting it, before eventually confessing to killing the beloved teacher. Mahdi then stole Myers’ marked police truck and multiple firearms.
Amy Myers described the moment she discovered her husband’s lifeless body in harrowing detail: “I found the love of my life, my soulmate, the partner that my life revolved around, lifeless, lying in a pool of blood and his body burned by someone who didn’t even know him.” Yet the emotional toll of this traumatic experience has stayed with her, as she took the stand at Mahdi’s trial.
In her testimony, Amy described the final minutes she shared with her husband. “It was like he didn’t want to get out of bed,” she said, adding that he just wanted to hold her close. “That was the last time that he told me that he loved me.”
A Community in Mourning
The ripple effect of Captain Myers’ murder extended much further than his own immediate family. Orangeburg community mourned the loss of a man who had spent years of service to protect and serve. Friends and colleagues spoke about his humble leadership and the powerful example of passion and kindness he was able to set for those around him.
By the time the trial reached sentencing, Mahdi’s own statements reflected the seriousness of the harm he had caused. “I’m guilty as hell… What I’ve done is irredeemable,” he stated during court proceedings. This short declaration serves to reinforce his confession of fault. It shines a bright light on the damage done irretrievably to a family and their community.
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