Son of fallen North Charleston officer graduates from police academy

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) — The son of a fallen North Charleston officer followed in his father’s footsteps last week as he walked across the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy graduation stage.

Justin Way graduated from the Basic Detention training program on Friday, a three-week course that teaches candidates how to serve as a detention officer. He received the Class Leader Award.

Justin’s father, Robert “Tony” Way, was killed in the line of duty on Feb. 18, 1985, after responding to an alarm at Rose’s Hideaway Bar on Rivers Avenue.

Way encountered the suspect and began to chase him on foot. As he rounded a corner, the suspect turned and shot him multiple times, according to previous News 2 reporting.

Way returned fire at the suspect, who died at the scene. Way succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital a short time later, leaving behind his wife and son.

The North Charleston Police Department (NCPD) dedicated a portion of Rivers Avenue to Way in 2022.

“(Past police officers) are the reason, as well as Tony, why we do the job today,” former Chief Reggie Burgess said at the time. “I told Justin a long time ago, if I’m here or not, North Charleston Police Department will always be your friend.”

Way is the only officer to be killed in the line of duty in NCPD’s more than 50-year history.