A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR Deputy Tyler Urquhart OF THE FLORENCE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM FOR 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 Tyler Urquhart of the Florence County Sheriff's Office was awarded the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor on January 26, 2023, for courageously taking action against an armed suspect; 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 January 5, 2022, Deputy Urquhart attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding and for an expired license tag on South Irby Street in Florence, but the vehicle failed to stop and led Deputy Urquhart on a brief pursuit, followed by a foot pursuit into a neighborhood; and

Whereas, when Deputy Urquhart gave the suspect a verbal warning that he was about to be tazed, the suspect turned and aimed an AR pistol at Deputy Urquhart and stated, "I'll shoot you"; and

Whereas, Deputy Urquhart was able to transition from tazer to handgun and shot the suspect from a distance of sixty-nine feet; and

Whereas, upon approaching the downed suspect and confirming he was no longer a threat, Deputy Urquhart immediately began applying first aid, including chest compressions, in an attempt to keep the suspect alive; and

Whereas, despite the attempts of Deputy Urquhart, the suspect did not survive this encounter, but following an investigation by SLED the shooting was determined to be justified; and

Whereas, Deputy Urquhart demonstrated amazing valor, professionalism, and compassion toward a person who intended to kill him; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciate the courage and dedication of law enforcement officers like Tyler Urquhart 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 Tyler Urquhart of the Florence County Sheriff's Office and congratulate him for being awarded the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Deputy Tyler Urquhart.

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