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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DEPUTY MICAH COX, FIRST SERGEANT HUGER MCCLELLAN, AND TEMS OPERATOR MERIDITH LEVENTIS FOR THEIR MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHARLESTON COUNTY COMMUNITY AND CONGRATULATE THEM FOR RECEIVING THE MEDAL OF VALOR.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are pleased to recognize Charleston County Deputy Micah Cox, First Sergeant Huger McClellan, and TEMS Operator Meridith Leventis for winning the prestigious Medal of Valor for their heroic actions during a dangerous active shooting incident in April of 2021; and
Whereas, on April 24, 2021, deputies with the Charleston County Sheriff's Office attempted to serve arrest warrants on a suspect at his residence. Upon approaching the residence, the deputies encountered gunfire from the suspect and retreated to a position of cover. Additional officers, including Deputy Micah Cox and First Sergeant Huger McClellan, responded to the scene; and
Whereas, after continued fire, the suspect exited through the rear of the residence. He was given verbal commands to surrender but did not comply. After the suspect fired in their direction, First Sergeant McClellan and Deputy Cox returned fire. Deputy Cox and the suspect were wounded in the exchange; and
Whereas, upon sustaining injury from the suspect's gunfire, Deputy Cox maintained his position of cover. First Sergeant McClellan, despite the continued danger, remained in his perimeter position until relieved by responding SWAT members; and
Whereas, the quick thinking and resolute action of Deputy Cox and First Sergeant McClellan helped save the lives of their fellow law enforcement officers and displayed the values held and expected of all members of the law enforcement community; and
Whereas, upon the arrival of the SWAT team, several steps were taken to gain compliance and surrender from the suspect and to determine his condition. Operating on the knowledge that the suspect had been wounded in the gunfire exchange, the decision was made to approach the residence and make entry in an attempt to take the suspect into custody and address any wounds he may have sustained; and
Whereas, Operator Leventis, who operates in a tactical environment providing medical care during critical incidents, knew time was of the essence. She entered the residence and, upon finding the suspect gravely wounded, immediately began treatment of the suspect; and
Whereas, though the suspect was critically wounded and came close to death several times, Operator Leventis' quick actions and willingness to forego her own safety in order to provide critical medical care to the suspect ensured that all involved were able to live through this horrific incident. Her actions and exceptional performance are clearly in keeping with the values held and expected of all members of the first responder community. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor Charleston County Deputy Micah Cox, First Sergeant Huger McClellan, and TEMS Operator Meridith Leventis for their many contributions to the Charleston County community and congratulate them for receiving the Medal of Valor.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Charleston County Deputy Micah Cox, First Sergeant Huger McClellan, and TEMS Operator Meridith Leventis.
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