Why South Carolina Must Stand With Law Enforcement

As I prepared for this week’s South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police Conference in Columbia, I reviewed the articles and updates we’ve shared since June. What I discovered left me astonished. In just four months, our state has seen officers killed, others severely injured, and too many assaulted while serving their communities.

These are not isolated headlines. They paint a sobering picture of what law enforcement faces every single day. Since June, two officers have been killed, seventeen more severely injured, and seven officer-involved shootings have occurred across South Carolina. Behind each of those numbers is a name, a family, and a community forever changed. This is the reality our men and women in uniform live with daily.

The Daily Dangers of Service

We cannot allow ourselves to grow numb to these events. Each month brings another list of officers attacked, struck by vehicles, stabbed, or caught in the crossfire of violent encounters. Assaults on law enforcement are no longer rare. They are becoming alarmingly routine. That is unacceptable.

Protecting Our K-9 Partners

The dangers do not stop with our human officers. In Rock Hill, K-9 Apollo was stabbed while protecting his handler and other officers during an arrest. He survived, but the message is clear: our K-9 partners are officers too, and they deserve the same protections under the law. Strengthening penalties for those who harm police K-9s must remain a priority.

Move Over Means Move Over

In recent weeks, multiple troopers have been struck by vehicles while conducting traffic stops. Some have been critically injured. Despite being on the books for decades, South Carolina’s Move Over law is too often ignored. Stronger penalties and more aggressive public education are needed to ensure every driver understands that moving over is not optional. It is about saving lives.

A Call for Unity

This month, we paused to remember 9/11. On 9/12, we were one nation, united in purpose. That unity should not be reserved for anniversaries of tragedy. It should be how we live each day, standing together as one country that supports those who protect it.

And just days ago, the assassination of Charlie Kirk reminded us that debate should never be silenced by violence. We must learn again that we can hold different opinions and still be friends. Law enforcement has always stood on the front lines of protecting civic life, ensuring that the right to speak, debate, and dissent is preserved without fear.

Wins Worth Celebrating

It is important to note that not everything in these past months has been tragedy. We have seen milestones worth celebrating: officers saving lives, agencies reaching full staffing for the first time in years, new K-9s trained and deployed, and new facilities breaking ground. These moments remind us why we fight so hard to protect and support law enforcement. When given the chance, they continue to serve with courage and dedication.

Stand With Us

South Carolina’s officers face dangers that are immediate, personal, and growing. They need more than words of thanks. They need action. That means supporting stronger protections for officers and K-9s, strengthening the Move Over law, and speaking out against the alarming rise in assaults on those who wear the badge.

Here is just a portion of what our law enforcement family has faced since June:

June

June 21 – Spartanburg County: Marked three years since the death of Deputy Austin Aldridge, killed in the line of duty in 2022.

June 22 – Conway: Police Sergeant Chris Johnson seriously injured in a house fire.

June 23 – Dorchester County: State trooper nearly struck during traffic stop on I-26. Move Over Law emphasized.

June 24 – Beaufort: Police department hosted Future Guardians summer camp to inspire youth to pursue law enforcement careers.

June 24 – Sumter County: Sheriff’s Office mourned the loss of retired K9 “Beny.”

June 25 – North Charleston: Man arrested for allegedly threatening to kill officers.

June 25 – Berkeley County: Deputies received pay raises; agency reached full staffing for the first time since 2021.

June 25 – Spartanburg County: Republican Party announced candidate forum for upcoming sheriff’s election.

June 26 – Spartanburg: Man arrested after armed, naked disturbance downtown; fired shots and damaged a patrol vehicle.

June 26 – Hartsville: Pee Dee FOP hosted active shooter training for SROs and law enforcement personnel.

June 27 – Greenville: Inmate at Greenville County Detention Center charged with threatening the life of a public official.

June 29 – Aiken County: Officer-involved shooting under investigation. Suspect transported to hospital.

June 29 – Spartanburg: Suspect rammed stolen box truck into police K9 vehicle during pursuit. No injuries to officer or K9.

June 30 – Calhoun Falls: Multiple officers resigned amid rumors of disbanding the police department; SLED investigating financial mismanagement.

July

July 1 – Darlington County Deputy Devin Mason killed in ambush shooting, second deputy injured (later released).

July 2 – York County woman shot after pointing a gun at deputies during chase, no officers hurt.

July 3 – Myrtle Beach bicycle officer struck by suspect’s vehicle during pursuit, minor injuries.

July 4 – Oconee County deputy-involved shooting after man set fire to his apartment, no deputies injured.

July 7–8 – Deputy Devin Mason honored: public viewing at Darlington County Courthouse (July 7) and funeral service in North Carolina (July 8).

July 9 – Officer-involved shooting in Saluda County, investigation by SLED.

July 9 – High-speed chase in Richland County: suspect arrested, three deputies injured.

July 10 – Easley road dedicated in memory of Officer Matthew Hare, who died heroically in 2023.

July 11 – SC sheriff candidates’ forum hosted in Spartanburg.

July 15 – North Charleston Walmart officer-involved shooting, suspect shot after pointing gun at officer.

July 16 – Berkeley County detention deputy assaulted by inmate (caught on video).

July 16 – Spartanburg County sheriff candidates’ forum hosted by NAACP.

July 16 – Colleton County inmate escaped after assaulting corrections officer, recaptured shortly after.

July 18 – Goose Creek Police certify first explosives detection K-9 in Berkeley County.

July 19 – Richland County Sheriff’s Office hosts annual Guardians of the Night K-9 5k.

July 22 – North Charleston Police welcome new tracking K-9, Koda.

July 22 – Aiken County Sheriff Marty Sawyer briefs Republican Club on progress and initiatives.

July 23 – Surfside Beach names Capt. Bill Mickle interim police chief.

July 24 – Pickens County Deputy AJ Taylor recognized for heroic rescues from fire.

July 25 – SLED charges suspect involved in North Charleston officer-involved shooting.

July 29 – Greenville County deputies injured in training accident, recovering after procedures.

July 30 – Two Charleston Police officers injured when cruiser struck on I-26 while blocking traffic.

July 31 – College of Charleston Officer Lamar Williams shares story of serving while awaiting kidney transplant.

August

Aug 1: SCFOP delegation announced travel to Miami Beach for the 67th National FOP Conference.

Aug 1: North Charleston Police reported a boy attempted to pull a loaded pistol on officers during an arrest.

Aug 4: Richland County deputy body-slammed during teen fight at Village at Sandhill; teen charged.

Aug 6: Pickens County SRO saved a choking student at Six Mile Elementary.

Aug 6: Two correctional officers stabbed and assaulted by inmate at Evans Correctional Institution.

Aug 7: Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette highlighted need for HALO Act to improve officer safety.

Aug 9: Deputies injured in a patrol car crash while responding to a shooting in Richland County (Calvary Road).

Aug 10: Trooper Dennis D. Ricks critically injured after being struck by a box truck during a traffic stop on I-26 in Orangeburg County.

Aug 11: Orangeburg community held prayer vigil for Trooper Ricks.

Aug 13: Trooper Dennis Ricks died from injuries sustained in the Aug. 10 crash.

Aug 15: Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Steven Henderson died in a motorcycle crash near Walhalla.

Aug 17: Funeral services held for Capt. Steven Henderson.

Aug 19: Special election primary for Spartanburg County Sheriff narrowed race to Bill Rhyne and Rusty Clevenger.

Aug 19: Funeral service held for Trooper Dennis Ricks at Shandon Baptist Church, Columbia.

Aug 20: Funeral arrangements held for Capt. Steven Henderson (visitation Aug. 20, service Aug. 21).

Aug 20: Senator Lindsey Graham held roundtable with Upstate law enforcement about recruitment and immigration.

Aug 22: Sgt. King Hemingway of Horry County Police died after a brief illness.

Aug 24: Myrtle Beach Police Master Cpl. Matthew Deane received Life Saver Award for off-duty actions.

Aug 25: North Myrtle Beach broke ground on new fire station and police substation.

Aug 26: Richland County deputies involved in a fatal deputy-involved shooting on Ovanta Road.

Aug 28: Rock Hill Police K-9 Apollo stabbed while apprehending a suspect; expected to recover.

Aug 29: Reckless homicide charge filed against driver in death of Trooper Dennis Ricks; bond set at $250,000.

Aug 29: North Charleston advanced citywide surveillance camera project to aid law enforcement investigations.

Aug 30: Horry County community gathered to celebrate the life of Sgt. King Hemingway.

September

September 1 – Newberry County deputy potentially exposed to rabid coyote while responding to call, awaiting evaluation for treatment.

September 7 – Senior Trooper Mitchell Williams Jr. struck by suspected DUI driver on I-77 in Richland County, later released from hospital.

September 9 – Master Trooper Wayne LaBounty seriously injured after being struck during traffic stop on Augusta Highway in Lexington County, later upgraded to stable condition after surgery.

September 8 – Spartanburg County deputy-involved shooting after suspect confronted deputy with a knife, no deputies injured.

September 10 – Trooper injured in Lexington County collision on Augusta Highway, third trooper struck in recent weeks.

September 15 – South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces statewide crackdown on distracted driving and Move Over law following multiple troopers being hit.