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GREENWOOD, Feb. 6 , 2004 -- The Blue Granite Recognition for February was presented to all sworn law enforcement officers who work for the state of South Carolina by Senators Phil Leventis, D-Sumter, and Billy O'Dell, R-Abbeville.
The event took place at the Highway Patrol District Office in Greenwood as several officers involved in a deadly incident which took place on December 8th of last year were given special recognition for their selfless, dedicated and brave service on that day. A memorandum to Col. R.F. Roark, commander of the Highway Patrol, described the incident. On December 8th at 10:03 AM the dispatcher in Greenwood received a 911 call requesting assistance in Abbeville. The caller said that personnel form SC DOT were on the scene attempting to begin a road construction project. The caller stated that armed suspects were present and two Abbeville County law officers were down at the scene. Patrol units working in the vicinity were immediately dispatched. Troopers attending an in-service class at Greenwood Patrol Headquarters also responded. The first trooper arrived on the scene 11 minuets after the 911 call. The officers setup traffic control and cordoned off the residence from which shots were being fired to insure the safety of the general public traveling in the area.
Troopers discovered upon their arrival a wounded Abbeville County Officer laying in the driveway approximately sixty feet from the residence in which the suspects were hiding. Although the wounded officer was unresponsive to verbal requests and was not moving, the on scene commander immediately organized a rescue effort. At approximately 10:40 troopers S.E. Sluder, R.E. Fox and T.E. Stone, and Pardon, Probation and Parole Senior Agent David "Ed" Strickland began a rescue effort by employing a patrol car for cover. The men pushed the car by hand to the downed officer's position. Then the officers moved from behind the vehicle, exposing themselves to danger and picked up the downed officer. While the officers were executing the rescue, additional troopers and other law enforcement officers provided cover. An ambulance transported the wounded Sheriff's deputy. Tragically, the rescued deputy and another deputy died that day. Senator O'Dell noted that the four officers that effected the rescue as well as those who provided cover did so at great personal risk. They acted selflessly to uphold the oath they had taken as law enforcement officers of this state to protect others. Senator O'Dell said that this was in keeping with those who are presented the Blue Granite Recognition because these officers, symbolic of all law officers in our state, provided an extraordinary result - combating crime and trying to save lives no matter the personal danger - for all South Carolinians. Representatives Pinson and Parks reiterated that these officers, who were first to respond to a desperate call stating officers were down and shots were being fired, were selected as symbolic of the commitment, professionalism, skill and courage all law enforcers exhibit throughout the state. They proceeded without hesitation to protect our citizens in the face of a very deadly situation. Senator Billy O'Dell presented Certificates to the ten officers who were first responders, for their service. He noted that many officers from numerous agencies including SLED and local law enforcement were involved. All should be honored for their selfless efforts. And that is why this Blue Granite Recognition was being presented to ALL law enforcement officers across the state. Each State Senate certificate was signed by Senators John Drummond, Billy O'Dell representing the Greenwood and Abbeville communities and Senator Phil Leventis, founder of the Blue Granite Recognition. He noted that the now traditional Blue Granite Plaque associated with the recognition would be placed in the Greenwood Patrol Headquarters as a reminder of the service given by the troopers and the Pardon Probation and Parole officer that day were symbolic of the efforts each and every day of all South Carolina law enforcers. The proceeding was closed with a benediction by Sgt. Don Reese, Chaplin for the Greenwood Patrol Headquarters. For additional information, contact Senator Phil Leventis at 803-418-9261 or reference the web site at www.bluegraniterecognition.org Those recognized in the past include The Dept. Of Transportation, individuals at Vocational Rehabilitation, SCETV, The Governor's Ombudsman's Office, DHEC's recycling program, an individual at Probation, Pardon and Parole and people in the IT section of Health and Human Services. The
program is supported by a generous grant from The SC State Credit
Union. The SC Credit Union has over 80,000 members, approximately
three quarters of whom are active or retired state employees. No
state tax money is used in this program.
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Joining
them for the presentation were Representatives Gene Pinson, R-Greenwood,
and Anne Parks, D-Greenwood. There are over 2,200 officers working
for the state. In addition to the Highway Patrol, there are numerous
agencies requiring sworn class I officers including SLED, DNR, The
State House Police, The Department of Pardon, Probation and Parole,
State Senate Security and others.