A senate RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR law enforcement officers of the Aiken County Sheriff's Office, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, and the North Augusta Department of Public Safety AND TO CONGRATULATE them FOR BEING AWARDED THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION MEDAL OF VALOR.

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is pleased to learn that law enforcement officers of the Aiken County Sheriff's Office, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, and the North Augusta Department of Public Safety were awarded the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor on January 26, 2023, for courageously taking action during an incident involving a kidnapping and an armed standoff with the suspect and hostage; 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 April 20, 2022, the Aiken County Sheriff's Office received a call for help with a female who was kidnapped by a very disturbed male under the influence of drugs, who was posting the entire incident live on Facebook. When officers could see that the man was armed and that he was threatening to kill the victim and officers, both the victim and the suspect in a vehicle became involved in an armed standoff on Jefferson Davis Highway. During this standoff, multiple agencies were present and involved in the situation, all of whom displayed a calm and professional air that prevented a bad situation from becoming untenable; and

Whereas, after a period of time, the suspect fired shots at a law enforcement drone. At the same time the hostage attempted an escape from her captor, and all the officers present displayed extraordinary bravery and calm in retrieving the female victim from the line of fire. Several officers left their protective cover to assist her to safety while providing her the protective cover of their own bodies; and

Whereas, as her escape was unfolding, the suspect raised his weapon at officers, and the officers were forced to engage the suspect with gunfire. Numerous shots were fired which led to injury to the suspect and to his eventual surrender to law enforcement. These officers' actions directly led to the rescue of a female hostage, unharmed, and their calm control of the scene further prevented other individuals from being placed in harm's way and led to placing the dangerous suspect into custody; and

Whereas, Deputy Jonathan McCreery, Staff Sergeant Tommy Adams, Investigator Savanna Williams, Sergeant Daryll Kostyk of the Aiken County Sheriff's Office; Corporal Brandon Rucker, Lance Corporal Eric Perez, and Trooper Drew Derrick of the South Carolina Highway Patrol; and Lieutenant Andrew Harris of the North Augusta Department of Public Safety have earned the Medal of Valor from the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association for courageous actions representing the best of the profession of law enforcement and serving as the highest example of officers in the community they serve; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate appreciate the courage and dedication of these law enforcement officers 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 law enforcement officers of the Aiken County Sheriff's Office, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, and the North Augusta Department of Public Safety and congratulate them 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 Jonathan McCreery, Staff Sergeant Tommy Adams, Investigator Savanna Williams, Sergeant Daryll Kostyk, Corporal Brandon Rucker, Lance Corporal Eric Perez, Trooper Drew Derrick, and Lieutenant Andrew Harris.

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