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Broken Badges: Trial to Begin in Officer Shooting of Unarmed Man; $1M Settlement Reached

By James Seidel | CC News Network | April 2, 2025

GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. — Broken Badges Series: More than three years after a high-speed police pursuit ended in the fatal shooting of an unarmed man, the former Hemingway police sergeant charged in the case is set to stand trial, while the victim’s family has reached a $1 million wrongful death settlement.

Former Sgt. Cassandra Dollard, 54, is charged with voluntary manslaughter in connection with the Feb. 6, 2022, shooting of 46-year-old Robert Langley Jr. The incident occurred in Georgetown County following a vehicle pursuit that began just after 1:20 a.m. in Hemingway.

According to arrest records, Dollard attempted to stop Langley for failing to obey a stop sign. Langley did not pull over, and a high-speed pursuit ensued, with Langley reportedly reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph and disregarding multiple traffic signals.

Roughly eight miles outside Hemingway, Langley crashed his vehicle into a ditch at the intersection of School House Drive and Choppee Road. As Langley attempted to exit the vehicle through the passenger side, Dollard discharged her department-issued firearm, striking him in the chest. Langley later died at a nearby hospital.

Authorities confirmed Langley was unarmed at the time of the shooting. In a statement to investigators, Dollard said she feared for her safety.

Dollard, who is currently out on a $150,000 bond, is scheduled to stand trial beginning May 5. She is represented by attorney Rose Parham. Chief Deputy Solicitor Scott Hixson is prosecuting the case.

Former Hemingway Police Sgt. Cassandra Dollard

Broken Badges: Civil Case Settled for $1 Million

In April 2022, Langley’s family filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against Dollard, the Town of Hemingway, the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, and Williamsburg County. The case was settled earlier this year for $1 million—the maximum payout under the defendants’ liability insurance policy.

The civil suit alleged that Dollard waited “several minutes” before rendering aid to Langley and cited her troubled law enforcement record. According to court documents, Dollard had previously been terminated from both the Johnsonville Police Department and the South Carolina State Transport Police due to repeated instances of misconduct, including misuse of her firearm and failure to follow proper protocols.

The lawsuit also contended that Dollard should never have been hired by the Hemingway Police Department given her documented history of “hostility toward civilians” and poor performance.

Broken Badges: Attorneys, Family Call for Reform

“We are pleased to have achieved this outcome for the Langley family,” said attorney Gerald Malloy, who represented the family along with Bakari Sellers of the Strom Law Firm and Brana Williams of Horry County. “While no amount of money can bring Mr. Langley back, this settlement reflects accountability and helps the family find some measure of closure.”

The shooting and its aftermath have sparked broader calls for reform in policing standards across South Carolina, particularly regarding hiring practices, use-of-force policies, and officer oversight.

“This case represents a tragic failure of systems that are supposed to protect—not endanger—the public,” Sellers said. “We hope this case encourages departments across the state to reexamine who they allow to wear a badge.”

The wrongful death lawsuit was delayed until the related criminal case progressed. Now, with a trial date set, the family remains committed to advocating for systemic change in Langley’s name.

Dollard’s criminal trial will take place in Georgetown County.

James Seidel – Publisher, Journalist, Author. Investigator, Podcaster, Radio Talk Show Host, and Music Producer.

Broken Badges is an ongoing investigative series by CC News Network, led by journalist James Seidel, exposing patterns of misconduct, corruption, and systemic failures within South Carolina law enforcement agencies. From questionable hires with troubling histories to abuse of authority and lack of accountability, the series shines a spotlight on the cracks in the system that endanger public trust and safety. Each installment of Broken Badges seeks not only to inform but to demand reform