A senate RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR deputy joshua kirby OF THE sumter COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM ON BEING AWARDED THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION MEDAL OF VALOR.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to learn that Deputy Joshua Kirby of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office was awarded the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor on January 26, 2023; 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, Deputy Kirby, who has served with the Sumter County Sheriff's Office for about nine months, brought with him experience from another agency, as well as prior service with the U.S. Marines. The training he received from the Marines, the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, and the Sumter County Sheriff's Office has served him well, as proven by two calls in particular that occurred in the summer of 2022; and

Whereas, on June 21, 2022, a call came out that a victim had been stabbed in Sumter. Responding to this call, Deputy Kirby arrived at the scene, immediately grabbed his first-aid kit, and ran to assist the victim. She had suffered a severe stab wound that hit an artery, and she was losing a large amount of blood. Deputy Kirby was able to pack the wound and apply pressure to stop the bleeding until EMS arrived. The victim survived and made a full recovery; and

Whereas, on July 19, 2022, Deputy Kirby responded to an address on the south side of Sumter, just outside the city limits, in reference to a shooting. The first to arrive, Deputy Kirby saw a female covered in blood lying in the roadway. He quickly retrieved his first-aid kit and assessed the victim's injuries. He noticed three gunshot wounds, the most serious being to the victim's abdomen. Deputy Kirby applied dressing to the wounds to stop the bleeding and maintained pressure until EMS arrived, all the while dealing with the chaos of the crime scene and family members standing over him. He also relayed information gathered from witnesses to other deputies. Based on that information, an arrest was made; and

Whereas, because he did not hesitate but acted calmly and speedily with informed purpose, Deputy Kirby was able to save the lives of both these two victims of violence; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate appreciate the courage and dedication of law enforcement officers like Deputy Joshua Kirby 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 Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor Deputy Joshua Kirby of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office and congratulate him 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 Joshua Kirby.

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