A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR Sergeant Adrian Dunmore, Deputy Eric Whetsell, Deputy Stephanie Law, Chief Deputy Verney D. Cumbee, and Lieutenant Shannon L. Coker, all of the Williamsburg 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 2023 MEDAL OF VALOR AWARD.

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is pleased to learn that Sergeant Adrian Dunmore, Deputy Eric Whetsell, Deputy Stephanie Law, Chief Deputy Verney D. Cumbee, and Lieutenant Shannon L. Coker, all of the Williamsburg County Sheriff's Office, will be awarded the esteemed South Carolina Sheriffs' Association 2023 Medal of Valor Award during the association's Medal of Valor Awards 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 Awards Ceremony where they are presented with the medal; and

Whereas, on November 17, 2022, at approximately 5:30 a.m., Sergeant Adrian Dunmore, Deputy Eric Whetsell, and Deputy Stephanie Law responded to a domestic disturbance call in Kingstree. When deputies arrived, they determined that the male suspect was armed with a firearm and had barricaded himself in the residence with a hostage; and

Whereas, the deputies entered the opened door to the home after knocking and announcing with negative answers, but retreated after the suspect began discharging a firearm in their direction. The deputies then called for additional units to assist.  Upon the arrival of Chief Deputy Verney D. Cumbee with a ballistic shield and the arrival of Lieutenant Shannon L. Coker, the five deputies reentered the residence and contacted the suspect; and

Whereas, the suspect refused multiple commands from the officers to surrender, and he threatened to kill officers and the hostage.  At some point during the standoff, the suspect began shooting at the deputies inside the residence.  The deputies had no choice but to shoot the subject to protect their lives and the life of the hostage.  Deputies were able to disarm the subject and bring the event under control; and

Whereas, the subject was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment.  Neither the hostage nor the deputies were injured during the incident.  The actions of the deputies exhibited exceptional courage, and they risked their lives to save the life of the hostage; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is honored to recognize the heroism and determination of law enforcement officers and first responders like Sergeant Dunmore, Deputy Whetsell, Deputy Law, Chief Deputy Cumbee, and Lieutenant Coker who protect and defend our citizens, putting the safety of others above their own personal safety.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor Sergeant Adrian Dunmore, Deputy Eric Whetsell, Deputy Stephanie Law, Chief Deputy Verney D. Cumbee, and Lieutenant Shannon L. Coker, all of the Williamsburg 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 2023 Medal of Valor Award.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Sergeant Adrian Dunmore, Deputy Eric Whetsell, Deputy Stephanie Law, Chief Deputy Verney D. Cumbee, and Lieutenant Shannon L. Coker.

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