A concurrent RESOLUTION

to RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DEPUTY KYLE RICHARD HORTON OF THE HAMPTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR EXCEPTIONAL COURAGE IN THE FACE OF LIFE-THREATENING DANGER TO A CITIZEN WHILE ON 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 Deputy Kyle Richard Horton 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 Thursday, April 16, 2024, a vehicle was traveling toward Deputy Horton at a very high rate of speed. Deputy Horton pursued the vehicle, and the driver stopped. After approaching the driver, Deputy Horton discovered that the elderly driver, Velma Carter, was transporting her husband, Wayne Gordyn Carter, from Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Mr. Carter had pulled on his tracheostomy tube (trach tube), a medical device inserted into the windpipe to maintain an open airway and facilitate breathing. He had dislodged the tube, causing bleeding. Officer Horton immediately went to Mr. Carter and was able to secure it back in place, saving his life; and

Whereas, Mrs. Carter later contacted the Hampton County Sheriff's Office, praising the efforts of the officer, and said she was told by the home health nurse that the officer had saved Mr. Carter's life, because he had successfully secured the trach tube back in place. Having a humble nature, Deputy Horton did not submit an incident report for this event; however, footage on Deputy Horton's department-issued body cam recorded the event of his life-saving presence of mind and swiftness; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is honored to recognize the heroism and determination of law enforcement officers and first responders like Kyle Horton 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 Deputy Kyle Richard Horton of the Hampton County Sheriff's Office for exceptional courage in the face of life-threatening danger to a citizen while on 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 Deputy Kyle Richard Horton.

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