H*3909 Concurrent Resolution, By Chellis, Young, Harrell and Knight
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
 SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPON THE DEATH OF CORPORAL PHILLIP MICHAEL
 DEESE, OF DORCHESTER COUNTY, WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY WHILE SERVING WITH
 THE DORCHESTER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND TO CONVEY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS
 FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

   04/17/07  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-38
   04/18/07  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-4

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPON THE DEATH OF CORPORAL PHILLIP MICHAEL DEESE, OF DORCHESTER COUNTY, WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY WHILE SERVING WITH THE DORCHESTER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND TO CONVEY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Corporal Phillip Michael Deese on March 9, 2007, in the line of duty; and

Whereas, born in Chesterfield County on July 7, 1968, Michael Deese graduated from high school in Goose Creek and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Charleston; and

Whereas, after working in the private sector for several years, he took a ride-along with a Dorchester County deputy sheriff, an experience that sparked a new career for the young Deese, who ultimately himself became a deputy sheriff; and

Whereas, daily demonstrating the core values of the Sheriff's Office, "duty, honor, and service," Corporal Deese, a member of the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard, was a resourceful and enthusiastic officer who took on tough jobs and always strove to go "above and beyond" in performing his duties; and

Whereas, on April 6, 2003, while responding to a domestic violence call near Knightsville, Officer Deese and his K-9 partner were shot at close range by a man armed with a shotgun. Throughout the incident exhibiting courage that helped keep others in the area from harm, Deputy Deese sustained gunshot wounds to his face, chest, and right arm, yet was able to return fire and radio for help, giving a detailed description of the assailant that later aided deputies in apprehending him; and

Whereas, on July 16, 2003, he was recognized as Deputy of the Year by the South Carolina Sheriff's Association and was also awarded the Medal of Valor for his courageous action on the evening of April 6 of that year, and, in receiving both awards, became the only officer to be so distinguished; and

Whereas, Corporal Deese surrendered his life on March 9, 2007, while working traffic control along Interstate 26 en route to his assigned region. Hit head on by a truck that had traveled across the median, Deese and his partner, K-9 Sonja, died in an accident that deprived the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office, as well as the State of South Carolina, of one of its finest law enforcement officers; and

Whereas, he will be sorely missed but will forever stand as a sterling example of a dedicated South Carolina law enforcement officer who gave his life in service to the people of this great State. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the death of Corporal Phillip Michael Deese, of Dorchester County, who died in the line of duty while serving with the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office, and convey deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Caley Lydia Deese, beloved daughter of Corporal Deese.