A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR Deputy Corporal Earl "Tommy" Rauch OF THE Florence COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR EXCEPTIONAL COURAGE IN THE FACE OF DANGER WHILE IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM UPON RECEIVING THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION 2023 MEDAL OF VALOR AWARD.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is pleased to learn that Deputy Corporal Earl "Tommy" Rauch will be awarded the esteemed South Carolina Sheriffs' Association 2023 Medal of Valor Award during the association's Medal of Valor Ceremony on Thursday, January 25, 2024; and

 

Whereas, the Medal of Valor Award is presented to a deputy sheriff who performs actions above and beyond the call of duty; exhibits exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness, and presence of mind; or acts with unusual swiftness, regardless of his or her personal safety, in an attempt to save or protect human life; and

 

Whereas, nominations made by the sheriff are presented to a standing committee of sheriffs who evaluate the nominations, and recipients are invited to the Medal of Valor Ceremony where they are presented with the medal; and

 

Whereas, on May 3, 2023, Corporal Tommy Rauch was assigned to the Criminal Enforcement Unit which patrols the major roadways and interstate highways in Florence County.  Corporal Rauch was stationary on I-95 when he observed a grey Dodge Charger commit a moving violation; and

 

Whereas, when Corporal Rauch attempted to catch up with the vehicle, the vehicle made an abrupt lane change without a proper signal and then exited the interstate at a high rate of speed.  The license tag on the vehicle indicated that it was a rental, with aftermarket tinting of the windows.  Corporal Rauch activated his blue lights in an attempt to stop the driver of the vehicle, who made an abrupt turn into a mall preparing to lead Corporal Rauch on a pursuit in the mall's parking lot; and

 

Whereas, Corporal Rauch attempted to perform a PIT maneuver on the vehicle to reduce the danger to the innocent public, but to no avail.  The driver then drove toward a main entrance of the mall where the driver exited the vehicle holding a handgun and ran into the mall.  Corporal Rauch initially exited his vehicle and pursued the suspect on foot with his Taser drawn; and

 

Whereas, as he followed the suspect into the mall, the suspect pulled the handgun out of his pocket and pointed it at Corporal Rauch who then transitioned from Taser to handgun, but due to the nearby presence of innocent civilians, he knew that the use of deadly force, which was legally justified, in this environment would pose a great danger to the public.  Corporal Rauch then transitioned back to the Taser, which was successfully deployed, and the suspect was apprehended; and

 

Whereas, other deputies arrived at the scene and secured the suspect's handgun, but the suspect broke away from Corporal Rauch and attempted to flee on foot again.  Corporal Rauch pursued the suspect and again took him into custody.  A search of the suspect's vehicle revealed another handgun, and shortly after, it was determined that the suspect was wanted for murder out of Robeson County, North Carolina; and

 

Whereas, Corporal Rauch demonstrated an amazing awareness of the danger the suspect posed to the innocent public and himself, and he displayed exceptional bravery and valor in pursuit of the suspect.  The South Carolina General Assembly is honored to recognize the heroism and determination of law enforcement officers and first responders like Tommy Rauch 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, recognize and honor Deputy Corporal Earl "Tommy" Rauch of the Florence County Sheriff's Office for exceptional courage in the face of danger while in the line of duty and congratulate him 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 Deputy Corporal Earl "Tommy" Rauch.

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