In Loving Memory of Retired South Carolina State Trooper Charles Coggins Honoring a Life of Service, Strength, and Unwavering Dedication
The Anderson County community is mourning the tragic loss of 58-year-old Charles Coggins, a retired South Carolina State Trooper whose life was cut heartbreakingly short in a devastating crash Friday afternoon. The incident, which occurred just after 12 p.m. at the intersection of Whitehall Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, has left family, friends, fellow law enforcement officers, and community members grieving the loss of a man who devoted decades of his life to protecting and serving others.
According to the Anderson County Coroner’s Office, the collision involved a classic 1967 Pontiac GTO that was struck by a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The impact caused severe damage, leaving three people injured and claiming the life of Trooper Coggins at the scene. Two occupants of one of the vehicles were flown to a nearby hospital for emergency care, while the driver of the second vehicle suffered minor injuries. Despite the quick response of first responders, Charles tragically succumbed to multiple traumatic injuries due to blunt force trauma, and his death has been ruled accidental.
For those who knew him, the pain of this loss cuts deeply. Charles Coggins was much more than a retired state trooper—he was a devoted family man, a loyal friend, and a pillar of strength who carried the values of honor, integrity, and service into every part of his life. During his years with the South Carolina Highway Patrol, he built a reputation for compassion, bravery, and unwavering professionalism. He dedicated himself to keeping highways safe, helping strangers in need, and supporting his fellow law enforcement officers with humility and grace.
After retirement, Charles continued to impact his community through his kindness, wisdom, and generosity. He remained someone people turned to—someone who listened, who offered a steady hand, and who always treated others with respect. Whether he was talking cars with friends, spending time with loved ones, or enjoying the simple pleasures of life after years of demanding service, Charles lived with purpose and heart.
His loss is felt not only by those who loved him personally, but also by the law enforcement community who remember him as a true embodiment of the trooper’s spirit: brave, dedicated, and deeply committed to the safety of others. The classic car he was traveling in speaks to a passion and joy he carried throughout his life—a reminder that even outside his uniform, Charles pursued what he loved with enthusiasm.
As the community reflects on this tragedy, there is comfort in knowing that Charles leaves behind a legacy of service and kindness that will never be forgotten. His life is a testament to duty, to love, and to the immeasurable impact one person can have on the world around them.
To his family, friends, and former colleagues, may you find strength in the memories you carry and peace in knowing he touched countless lives through the work he did and the person he was. Though gone, he will never be forgotten.
Rest in eternal peace, Trooper Charles Coggins.
Your service, sacrifice, and spirit live on in the hearts of all who knew you.
