FMU Dedicates New Park to Farrah Turner’s Memory

by Lauren Owens

Francis Marion University dedicated a new park on campus Thursday afternoon to alumna Farrah Turner, an investigator with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office who died after she was shot Oct. 3.

The park, which includes a fountain and flowers, is in the center of the Forest Villa residential apartments on campus.

Francis Marion President Fred Carter spoke to a room filled with people during the ceremony, including members of Turner’s family, Francis Marion faculty and staff and members of the Florence County Sheriff’s Office.

Carter said Turner, who was a 2005 graduate of Francis Marion, pursued many activities while at Francis Marion. He said she was a compassionate and professional investigator.

“Farrah was an extraordinary police officer,” Carter said. “She was a fine investigator, but more than all of that she was exactly the type of person that was doing the work she was doing.”

Carter said the park is an idyllic place for countless generations to reflect on what the true meaning of public service is.

Farrah’s aunt Linda Godwin-Weaver said the Francis Marion is their family school.

“When she was here she loved Francis Marion,” Weaver said. “She often told us about the wonderful, caring instructors and how they provided such care for the students.”

Weaver said Turner inspired many of her relatives to come to Francis Marion.

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