A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR Sergeant Michael Claytor OF THE Newberry COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR EXCEPTIONAL COURAGE IN THE FACE OF DANGER WHILE IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM UPON RECEIVING THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION 2024 MEDAL OF VALOR AWARD.

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is pleased to learn that Sergeant Michael Claytor will be awarded the esteemed South Carolina Sheriffs' Association 2024 Medal of Valor Award during 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 December 7, 2023, Sergeant Claytor responded to a 911 call about an attempted break-in and shots fired into the glass of the backdoor toward the occupants of a house on Little Egypt Road in Newberry County; and

Whereas, when Sergeant Claytor arrived, the suspect had left the property, and the couple in the house advised Sergeant Claytor that the suspect might be returning to his home nearby on Kitchens Road; and

Whereas, Sergeant Claytor radioed in that he was going to the address on Kitchens to locate the suspect, and when he arrived there, he knocked on the door of the trailer, the suspect answered with a rifle in his hand. Another occupant in the house tried unsuccessfully to take the rifle from the suspect; and

Whereas, Sergeant Claytor radioed that the suspect was armed, and shortly thereafter, shots were fired. He requested EMS and a helicopter before other officers arrived. While waiting for backup, he began performing chest compressions on the suspect, and other deputies took over when they arrived; and

Whereas, when EMS members arrived, they announced that the suspect was deceased. Sergeant Claytor had responded quickly and decisively in keeping with his training to protect members of the community from the danger of an armed assailant without regard to his own safety; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is honored to recognize the heroism and determination of law enforcement officers and first responders like Michael Claytor 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 Michael Claytor of the Newberry County Sheriff's Office for exceptional courage in the face of danger while in the line of duty and congratulate him 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 Michael Claytor.

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