A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DEPUTY CHRISTOPHER ROJAS AND DEPUTY STEVEN ESCOBAR OF THE SPARTANBURG COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM ON BEING AWARDED THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION MEDAL OF VALOR.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that Deputy Christopher Rojas and Deputy Steven Escobar of the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office were awarded the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor on January 26, 2023, for courageously taking action that required quick thinking and excellent judgment under pressure; and

Whereas, the award is presented annually to law enforcement officers who perform actions above and beyond the call of duty; exhibit exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness, and presence of mind; or act with unusual swiftness, regardless of personal safety, in an attempt to save or protect human life; and

Whereas, on September 8, 2022, Deputy Rojas observed a vehicle near Hayne and Spring streets that he recognized as being a stolen vehicle from the Spartanburg Police Department. Deputy Rojas continued to follow the vehicle until another deputy could get behind him, due to there being at least four people in the vehicle and its status as stolen. Deputy Escobar was able to get behind Deputy Rojas, and the two deputies attempted a traffic stop on the stolen vehicle; and

Whereas, the stolen vehicle failed to stop, and a pursuit with the vehicle began. Occupants of the stolen vehicle then fired between six and eight shots at the two deputies. Without consideration for their own safety, Deputies Rojas and Escobar continued to pursue the vehicle until the stolen vehicle stopped at Hub City Farmers Market, at which point the occupants fled the vehicle on foot in multiple directions. Pursuing a group of the suspects, Deputies Rojas and Escobar were able to locate and arrest two of them. Upon arresting the two suspects, one stolen pistol was located in the possession of one of them. The Spartanburg Police Department located a third suspect; and

Whereas, the occupants of the stolen vehicle confessed to a string of crimes beginning around September 4, 2022, including an assault with a firearm where the victim's vehicle was stolen, burglary of a business in which firearms were taken, two burglaries that occurred just prior to the vehicle pursuit, and two drive-by shootings that occurred in Spartanburg the night before. Three suspects were taken into custody immediately following the pursuit, all of whom identified the other parties involved in this case. Deputy Rojas and Escobar's continued pursuit, after being shot at and placed in a life-or-death situation, resulted in the arrest of five violent offenders and their removal from the streets; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciate the courage and dedication of law enforcement officers like Deputy Christopher Rojas and Deputy Steven Escobar who put their lives on the line every day and who provide safety and security to protect the citizens of our great State. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Deputy Christopher Rojas and Deputy Steven Escobar of the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office and congratulate them on being awarded the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Deputy Christopher Rojas and Deputy Steven Escobar.

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