H*5248 Resolution, By Pinson, Parks and Pitts
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MAJOR ROY EUGENE "SONNY" COX, JR.,
 OF THE GREENWOOD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO
 SOUTH CAROLINA LAW ENFORCEMENT DURING THIRTY-FIVE YEARS OF COMMITTED SERVICE
 TO THE CITIZENS OF THIS STATE.

   05/09/12  House  Introduced and adopted (House Journal-page 16)

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MAJOR ROY EUGENE "SONNY" COX, JR., OF THE GREENWOOD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOUTH CAROLINA LAW ENFORCEMENT DURING THIRTY-FIVE YEARS OF COMMITTED SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF THIS STATE.

Whereas, it is with great gratitude that the House of Representatives honors those individuals who put themselves in the line of fire to protect our neighbors, families, and friends; and

Whereas, among the most dedicated of such individuals is Major Roy Eugene "Sonny" Cox, Jr., of the Greenwood County Sheriff's Office; and

Whereas, born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Roy Eugene Cox, Sr., and Marcella Anderson Cox, Sonny Cox began his law enforcement career in August 1977 as an officer with the Greenwood Police Department. Having graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in 1978, he obtained his associate's degree in public service (criminal justice) from Piedmont Technical College in 1986. While in school, he continued full-time work with the Greenwood Police Department and was assigned to the Uniform Division upon his graduation; and

Whereas, while on patrol in 1979, Officer Cox, as he was then, encountered a suspicious individual outside a convenience store in Greenwood. The individual brandished and discharged a sawed-off shotgun, in the process striking Officer Cox's partner. The individual then fled the scene, and Officer Cox apprehended another suspect inside the convenience store. As a result of his heroism in this incident, Officer Cox and his partner received the International Civitan Award for Courageous Service; and

Whereas, several years later, Officer Cox was promoted to the rank of sergeant and transferred to the Detectives Division. He worked his way up the ranks to captain, completed the twelve-week Administrative Officer Management School at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, and in 2006 began serving with the Greenwood County Sheriff's Office in the newly formed Community Service Division; and

Whereas, Captain Cox quickly rose to the rank of major in 2008 and began supervising all community events and coordinating crime-prevention programs such as the local "National Night Out" campaign. He also began supervising Internal Affairs and Professional Standards while overseeing the South Carolina Law Enforcement Accreditation process for the Greenwood County Sheriff's Office; and

Whereas, cognizant that the Greenwood community is fortunate to have Major Sonny Cox in its service, the House of Representatives takes great pleasure in commending Major Cox for the excellence and dedication he has so faithfully demonstrated in his long service to the Greenwood Police Department and the Greenwood County Sheriff's Office. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Major Roy Eugene "Sonny" Cox, Jr., of the Greenwood County Sheriff's Office for his outstanding contributions to South Carolina law enforcement during thirty-five years of committed service to the citizens of this great State.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Major Roy Eugene "Sonny" Cox, Jr.