Former Florence police officer faces incest charge

A former Florence police officer is accused of sexually assaulting a family member 23 years ago, Florence County Sheriff’s Lt. Brett Camp said.

Harry Edsel Shaffer, 60, of 1116 Reservoir St., Waynesboro, Va., was arrested Thursday and is charged with incest and two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, Florence County Detention Center bookings reports show. He was released Thursday on a $50,000 surety bond.

The case was referred to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office in August 2007 by the State Law Enforcement Division after someone told officers at another agency he’d seen the suspect sexually assault the victim, Camp said. The victim was 13 at the time.

The suspect was employed by the Florence Police Department in the mid-1980s, but it is unclear whether he was working at the agency when the alleged attacks took place, Camp said. The suspect retired last year from a Virginia law enforcement agency.

Deputies said the Florence Police Department had nothing to with the incidents and is not a subject in this investigation, Camp said. Deputies think the assaults took place between January and December 1985 at a residence Brandy Circle in Florence, Camp said.

Authorities contacted the victim, who now lives out of state, and told her the witness had come forward about the attacks. Camp said the victim is cooperating with the investigation.

Anyone with information about possible cases of criminal sexual assault or domestic violence is encouraged to contact the nearest law enforcement agency.

In addition, the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault provides assistance and resources designed to help victims of these crimes and can be reached at (843) 669-4600 or (800) 273-1820.