A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR K-9 Bumi and K-9 Specialist Alan Ware OF THE Richland COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR EXCEPTIONAL COURAGE IN THE FACE OF DANGER WHILE IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM UPON RECEIVING THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION 2024 MEDAL OF VALOR AWARD.

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly was saddened to learn of the death of K-9 Bumi and is grateful to learn that K-9 Bumi and his partner, K-9 Specialist Alan Ware, will be awarded the esteemed South Carolina Sheriffs' Association 2024 Medal of Valor Award during the association's awards banquet in Columbia on April 23, 2025; 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. Nominations made by the sheriff are presented to a standing committee of sheriffs who evaluate the nominations, and recipients are presented with the medal at the awards banquet; and

Whereas, early on Monday, December 23, 2024, deputies spotted a stolen vehicle in Richland County and initiated a traffic stop. The suspects, in an attempt to evade law enforcement, led the deputies on a short pursuit before the deputies successfully deployed stop sticks. The suspects lost control of the vehicle and crashed at an intersection. Two suspects ran from the vehicle while the third was immediately detained; and

Whereas, K-9 Specialist Ware and K-9 Bumi began to track one of the suspects on foot. When the K-9 took after one of the teens, the chase turned a corner behind a residence, and K-9 Bumi got out of the vision of K-9 Specialist Ware. K-9 Bumi attempted to bite the suspect, who fired several shots at K-9 Specialist Ware and Bumi, striking Bumi multiple times. Bumi was wearing a vest but was hit underneath the vest in the chest. He was immediately taken to CVETs, but unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries; and

Whereas, without hesitation on that early morning, K-9 Bumi exemplified courage, dedication, and loyalty to his partner in the face of danger by saving the life of K-9 Specialist Ware. K-9 Bumi was four years old and had been partners with Officer Ware for two years, displaying many acts of valor throughout his career; and

Whereas, Officer Ware displayed extreme courage in the face of life-threatening danger in apprehending the three suspects, all teens, in a stolen car, carrying weapons, and shooting at deputies; and

Whereas, the three teenagers were taken into custody and are facing charges in connection to the incident. The sixteen year old who stayed at the scene of the crash is charged with obstruction of justice and misprision, and a thirteen year old is charged with unlawful killing of a police dog, among other charges, including attempted murder, malicious injury to personal property, and over ten thousand dollars in charges related to possession of a weapon and possession of a stolen vehicle; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is honored to recognize the heroism and determination of law enforcement officers and first responders like K-9 Specialist Alan Ware and K-9 Bumi 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 K-9 Bumi and K-9 Specialist Alan Ware of the Richland County Sheriff's Office for exceptional courage in the face of danger while in the line of duty and congratulate them upon receiving the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association 2024 Medal of Valor Award.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to K-9 Specialist Alan Ware posthumously to K-9 Bumi.

----XX---