By Betsy Finklea
A local business owner was killed on Thursday night, Dec. 12, in a robbery, according to Captain Cliff Arnette of the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office.
Dillon County Coroner Donnie Grimsley identifies the victim as John Walter “J.W.” Bailey, a 77-year-old white male. He said the body was sent for autopsy on Friday; however, he had not shared any details as of press time on Monday.
Arnette said that just before 8:00 p.m., the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the scene at J.W. Bailey’s Store on Highway 301 South. Someone had walked into the store and found the scene, Arnette said.
Arnette said that when officers arrived, “the store owner was found dead inside the store.”
Responding agencies included the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office, the Dillon County Police Department, the Latta Police Department, Dillon County EMS, Dillon Rescue Squad, and SLED Crime Scene, who assisted with processing the scene.
Bailey was well-known in the community having served for over 52 years on the City of Dillon Fire Department, where he was chief for a number of years, and the Dillon Rescue Squad. He also owned and operated his store for 47 years.
Bailey was an active member of the of the Dillon County Accommodations Tax Board.
In a post on social media, his son, Keith Bailey, the current City of Dillon fire chief, pleads for information on the crime and states that the family is offering a $2,100 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) involved.
A white bow now hangs on the store, and several floral tributes lay at the bottom of the door of the store.
A firefighter’s funeral is being held for Bailey at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17, 2019, at Dillon First Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. Cooper Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Arnette said if anyone has any information related to this armed robbery and murder, please contact Investigator Allan Rogers with the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office at 843-774-1432.
