Lewis Edward Marshall, Sr.

Lewis Edward Marshall, Sr., 79, of Batesburg-Leesville, left the physical world on Friday, July 15, 2022, and has been released from the grips of Alzheimer’s.

He was born in Joanna, SC on October 4, 1942, to the late Frances and Alvin “Skin” Marshall. This is where he became an Eagle Scout and learned of his deep love for dogs. He later moved to Batesburg Leesville, where he would meet Janice Marshall, whom he always referred to as “my wife” no matter the company he was in.

Serving 50 years in law enforcement, Lewis E. Marshall, Sr. is the only officer in this state, who could offer education regarding the occult, hypnosis to help in special cases, as well as leading multiple K-9 division's to a successful start. Lewis began his career in 1967, as an officer in Clinton, SC. He then furthered his knowledge in law enforcement as a K-9 handler in Safety Harbor, Florida, where he completed 480 hours at the police academy.

Upon his return to SC, Lewis started at Lexington County Sheriff's Department for the first 5 years. After two years as Chief of Police in Leesville, he returned to Lexington County Sheriff's Department until 1997. During those years with Lexington, he provided them with their first K-9 division, and spent many hours in the community educating those on the occult.

K-9's were always Lewis's first love, but his second love was educating the community regarding the occult, drug activity, and the use of hypnosis in law enforcement. Lewis was also an integral part of many agencies across the state, whom would be called upon when hypnosis was required in special cases. He traveled to psychology classes in the school systems to educate teachers and students on the use of hypnosis in law enforcement.

Lewis transitioned to Richland County Sheriff's Department in 1997 to begin the K-9 division there. Sgt. Marshall was well known for his belief that the K-9 be treated as an equal. Often quoted for saying, "I would trust my dog before I would trust another human guarding my life." He was the main person that began fundraisers for the cooling vests and bulletproof vests for the K-9 departments he would oversee. He dedicated many hours to training K-9 divisions in narcotics, officer protection, and bomb work.

Nearing the end of his 20 years with Richland County, he trained 2 therapy dogs, Lucky and Noel. Both were taken into hospitals and nursing homes throughout the midlands. Often bringing joy and smiles to faces of those whom had not felt those emotions in some time. Although difficult to meet those people, due to their terminal diagnoses, he felt bringing them that brief moment of joy during their darkest moments on earth, outweighed any sadness he would feel.

Sgt. Marshall’s last call was March 1, 2017. Alzheimer’s took the joy of his calling away from him and has slowly taken away the man that everyone has grown to speak so highly of.

He is survived by his wife, Janice Marshall, of the home; daughter, Crystal Faith “Cooter" Shealy (Kelly) of Greenville; son, Lewis Marshall, Jr. (Kristie) of Cayce; daughter, Lori Couch (Chuck) of Gilbert; daughter, Angela Porter (Andy) of Lexington. He also leaves behind a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Shelby Jean Bolick.

A memorial service for Mr. Lewis will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 17th, at Milton Shealy Funeral Home with Rev. Bill Right officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 5:30 prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask for donations to be made to the K9 team at the Lexington Police Department or a charity of your choosing.