A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR Sergeant Christian D. Anderson and Corporal Christopher Partridge OF THE Beaufort 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 is pleased to learn that Sergeant Christian D. Anderson and Corporal Christopher Partridge will be awarded the esteemed South Carolina Sheriffs' Association 2024 Medal of Valor Award at 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, on November 4, 2023, Sergeant Anderson and Corporal Partridge were working in Bluffton, assigned to the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU). One of the many proactive assignments conducted by the SEU is to locate and apprehend wanted, violent offenders. At approximately 2:30 in the afternoon, Sergeant Anderson and Corporal Partridge coordinated to apprehend a suspect in Bluffton with a violent criminal history who was wanted for Burglary First Degree involving a stolen firearm and who made threatening statements about having a shoot-out with law enforcement; and

 

Whereas, while conducting surveillance on a residence in Bluffton, Sergeant Anderson observed the suspect travelling in a sedan and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the suspect accelerated and refused to stop. The vehicle pursuit continued with Corporal Partridge behind Sergeant Anderson and with the suspect driving recklessly, giving no indications of stopping. They coordinated with other deputies and officers from the Bluffton Police Department for the deployment of a tire deflation device (TDD), but this was thwarted by the suspect's traveling through a residential area; and

 

Whereas, while traveling at high speeds, the suspect extended his arm out of his window and discharged a firearm multiple times in the direction of the pursuing deputies. A Bluffton police supervisor was deploying a TDD, ahead of the pursuit, while the suspect continued to drive recklessly and was trying to harm the deputies. Sergeant Anderson successfully conducted a precision immobilization technique maneuver in a wooded area, away from any homes and prior to reaching the TDD location, and the suspect crashed into a wooden fence and came to a stop; and

 

Whereas, Sergeant Anderson and Corporal Partridge exited their vehicles, and based on the threat presented by the suspect and in order to protect themselves, they discharged their weapons. The suspect was found to be deceased, and a front seat passenger was located unharmed; and

 

Whereas, the suspect was a wanted felon who made good on his threats to have a shoot-out with law enforcement. Sergeant Anderson and Corporal Partridge made good on their duty to protect the citizens of Beaufort County, their fellow law enforcement officers, and themselves. The actions of these deputies demonstrate exceptional teamwork, courage, and bravery; and

 

Whereas, the General Assembly is honored to recognize the heroism and determination of law enforcement officers and first responders like Christian Anderson and Christopher Partridge who protect and defend our citizens, putting the safety of others above their 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 Sergeant Christian D. Anderson and Corporal Christopher Partridge of the Beaufort 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 Sergeant Christian D. Anderson and Corporal Christopher Partridge.

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