H 3672  Resolution, By Pope, Bryant, Simrill, Felder, King, Ligon, D.C.Moss, 
V.S.Moss and B.Newton
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO HONOR THE TWELVE YORK COUNTY OFFICERS WHO DISPLAYED
 EXCEPTIONAL COURAGE IN THE FACE OF DANGER WHILE IN THE LINE OF DUTY DURING A
 TRAGIC INCIDENT THAT TOOK THE LIFE OF ONE OF THEIR OWN AND TO CONGRATULATE
 THEM UPON RECEIVING THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION MEDAL OF VALOR
 AWARD.
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   01/22/19  House  Introduced and adopted (House Journal-page 14)

TO HONOR THE TWELVE YORK COUNTY OFFICERS WHO DISPLAYED EXCEPTIONAL COURAGE IN THE FACE OF DANGER WHILE IN THE LINE OF DUTY DURING A TRAGIC INCIDENT THAT TOOK THE LIFE OF ONE OF THEIR OWN AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM UPON RECEIVING THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION MEDAL OF VALOR AWARD.

Whereas, on January 15, 2018, deputies from the York County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to respond to a domestic violence incident in the county. Officers subsequently found a female victim who had been viciously assaulted by her husband. After the assault, the suspect left the residence on foot, armed with a rifle, a handgun, and a military "go bag" survival kit; and

Whereas, an intense three-hour manhunt ensued, during which K-9 officers were called in to help track down the suspect and numerous law enforcement agencies aided in the search. Special Agent Wayne Matthews and Special Agent Dennis Tracy, both SLED helicopter pilots, located the suspect and began following his movements. During the search for the suspect, both the K-9 team and the SLED pilots came under fire. Sgt. Randy Clinton was shot and wounded by the suspect in the incident. Lt. Mike Ligon jumped on top of Sgt. Clinton and laid down suppression fire that caused the suspect to flee the area. Cpl. Chris Laurencio and Lt. Ligon quickly extracted Sgt. Clinton from the area to an awaiting patrol vehicle driven by Lt. Heath Clevenger; and

Whereas, the York County Multijurisdictional SWAT team was then activated and responded to the incident location to continue the search for the suspect. During this search, a SWAT unit consisting of Sgt. Buddy Brown, Sgt. Kyle Cummings (York Police Department), Det. Mike Doty, Lt. Ligon, Sgt. Grady Gonzales, Lt. Clevenger, and Sergeant Judd Baird (Clover Police Department) was deployed to investigate a likely hiding place for the suspect; and

Whereas, upon approaching the location in question, the suspect shot Det. Doty in the head and Sgt. Brown in the leg. Immediately after the suspect opened fire, members of the SWAT unit returned fire. It was later determined that the return fire from Sgt. Cummings and Sgt. Brown rendered the suspect's weapon inoperable, which allowed the wounded officers to be extracted so medical aid could be rendered to them. During the gunfire exchange, Sgt. Cummings was wounded, which required lifesaving measures from SWAT medics. While the suspect remained armed and still a threat to officers, Lt. Ligon came to the aid of Det. Doty and performed CPR to revive him; and

Whereas, it was later discovered that Dep. Cole Greene had followed orders to stay with the original crime scene and with Sgt. Clinton's canine, Gabby. Dep. Greene suffered signs of hypothermia that rendered him unable to walk without help and required him to receive medical assistance. Dep. Greene also voluntarily delayed his medical treatment so that more critically injured officers could receive medical attention. After being flown to an area hospital, Det. Doty succumbed to the injuries he had sustained in this event; and

Whereas, these officers displayed extraordinary bravery and decisive action and will, therefore, be presented with the prestigious South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor Award on Thursday, January 24, 2019. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor the twelve York County officers who displayed exceptional courage in the face of danger while in the line of duty during a tragic incident that took the life of one of their own and congratulate them upon receiving the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor Award.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the eleven surviving officers and the family of Det. Mike Doty.