A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO HONOR SergEant Dwayne Duckson OF THE Bamberg COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE and Lance Corporal Bentrice Frazier of the South Carolina Highway Patrol FOR their EXCEPTIONAL COURAGE IN THE FACE OF DANGER WHILE IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM upon RECEIVING THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION 2023 MEDAL OF VALOR AWARD.

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is pleased to learn that Sergeant Dwayne Duckson and Lance Corporal Bentrice Frazier will be awarded the esteemed South Carolina Sheriffs' Association 2023 Medal of Valor Award during The Medal of Valor Ceremony on Thursday, January 25, 2024; and

Whereas, the Medal of Valor Award is presented 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 his or her personal safety, in an attempt to save or protect human life; and

Whereas, on April 16, 2023, at around 3:30 am, Sergeant Duckson assisted Lance Corporal Frazier with a traffic stop on Highway 78 just outside Denmark. As Lance Corporal Frazier approached the driver's side of the vehicle, the driver reached out of the vehicle and shot Lance Corporal Frazier in the face. Both Lance Corporal Frazier and Sergeant Duckson returned fire as the vehicle sped off; and

Whereas, Sergeant Duckson provided aid to Lance Corporal Frazier on the scene of the incident and notified dispatch of the situation. With the help of the information they provided to dispatch, the suspect's vehicle was pursued, and the driver was taken into custody in Orangeburg where he wrecked his vehicle. The decisive and courageous actions of Sergeant Duckson and Lance Corporal Bentrice Frazier reflect greatly upon themselves, the Bamberg County Sheriff's Office, South Carolina Highway Patrol, and the law enforcement profession; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is honored to recognize the heroism and determination of law enforcement officers and first responders like Dwayne Duckson and Bentrice Frazier who protect and defend our citizens, putting the safety of others above their own personal safety. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, honor Sergeant Dwayne Duckson of the Bamberg County Sheriff's Office and Lance Corporal Bentrice Frazier of the South Carolina Highway Patrol for their exceptional courage in the face of danger while in the line of duty and congratulate them upon receiving the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association 2023 Medal of Valor Award.

Be it further resolved that the copy of this resolution be presented to Sergeant Dwayne Duckson and Lance Corporal Bentrice Frazier.

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