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TO CONGRATULATE AND HONOR SENIOR CORPORAL WARREN DAVIS OF SUMTER FOR GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE ELDERLY CITIZENS OF SUMTER COUNTY AND TO WISH HIM MUCH CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS.
Whereas, for more than thirty years, the Sumter Police Department has been running its I'm OK Program to check on elderly residents living independently. However, in 2014, Police Chief Russell F. Roark III realized that simply checking in with elderly residents wasn't enough; and
Whereas, with the implementation of Project Checkmate to adjust the I'm OK Program, Senior Corporal Warren Davis has become the epitome of that for which the program stands. He began working with thirteen seniors, but that quickly grew to forty-three seniors; and
Whereas, Senior Cpl. Davis does all he can to aid these independent seniors, taking their garbage to the curb, changing batteries and lightbulbs; he even drives program participants to doctor appointments, as well as picks up prescriptions and provides assistance for seniors grocery shopping; and
Whereas, he strives to contact all of his seniors at least once per week, visiting when needed; and
Whereas, the men and women who rely on Senior Cpl. Davis tend to be stubbornly independent, not wishing to relinquish their self-reliance. Now, with the option of calling Senior Cpl. Davis, they are able to maintain this autonomy safely. Mildred Byrden, a woman in her seventies, sees Senior Cpl. Davis as her own personal police and her friend, immensely enjoying each and every visit; and
Whereas, as a mixture of handyman, chauffeur, and cleaner, Senior Cpl. Davis is always available to take a phone call, even if it's just to listen. He adheres to each of his forty-three seniors' individual needs. He knows their family situation and the level of care each of them need; and
Whereas, Project Checkmate contributes to the overall mission of the unit: to promote positive relationships between law enforcement and the community, to protect and serve without focusing on the enforcement side of the job; and
Whereas, having empathy for a community's sometimes forgotten sectors is one way the unit helps build goodwill. Police officers are not often seen cleaning a blind woman's bird cages out, but Senior Cpl. Davis does it with a genuine smile and helpful heart; and
Whereas, Senior Cpl. Davis has always had a heart for helping people. He joined a small police department in Oklahoma as a reserve officer. During those twenty years, he responded to the Oklahoma City bombing. Later, he moved back to his hometown to care for his aging parents; and
Whereas, he says he loves this role, feeling important and needed. He has helped numerous people, including an eighty-five-year-old woman who needed a new roof. He was able to aid her in getting into contact with Sumter United Ministries, which built her that new roof. He even continues to visit a ninety-three-year-old man who has since moved to Covenant Place because "his face just lights up when I stop by for fifteen minutes"; and
Whereas, Senior Cpl. Davis understands the value of a friend with an open ear. He is a policeman armed with a hug, a willing ear, and a helping hand; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are exceedingly grateful for this example of selfless humanity and thank Senior Cpl. Davis for his attitude and kindness. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate and honor Senior Corporal Warren Davis of Sumter for going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the safety of the elderly citizens of Sumter County and wish him much continued success and happiness.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Senior Corporal Warren Davis.
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