A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR INVESTIGATOR JACKIE "COTTON" HEFFNER, CORPORAL BRIAN GENWRIGHT, DEPUTY JEFFERY SESSOMS, AND DEPUTY BRIANNA ALLEN OF THE MARLBORO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AS WELL AS SERGEANT SCOTT BOWEN AND OFFICER JAKE KING OF THE BENNETTSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM ON BEING AWARDED THE 2024 SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION MEDAL OF VALOR.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are pleased to learn that Investigator Jackie "Cotton" Heffner, Corporal Brian Genwright, Deputy Jeffery Sessoms, and Deputy Brianna Allen of the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office, as well as Sergeant Scott Bowen and Officer Jake King of the Bennettsville Police Department were awarded the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor on April 23, 2025, for courageously taking action, at great danger to themselves, that saved the lives of two citizens. The award is presented annually to law enforcement officers who perform actions above and beyond the call of duty; exhibit exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness, and presence of mind; or act with unusual swiftness, regardless of personal safety, in an attempt to save or protect human life; and

Whereas, on December 29, 2023, deputies from the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office were dispatched regarding a silver Infiniti sedan that had just been reported stolen from the city limits of Bennettsville. The stolen vehicle was being followed by the owner's boyfriend. Central Dispatch advised units that the vehicle was traveling down E. Main Street Extension in Bennettsville. Dispatch then advised units that the vehicle turned onto Bennettsville Fire Tower Road, heading toward the Town of Tatum. Once in Tatum, the vehicle headed toward the McColl town limits but made a U-turn in a parking lot and then went back toward Bennettsville. Deputy Jeffery Sessoms was traveling down US 15/401 and got to Domtar in Tatum when a silver Infiniti sedan passed him at a high rate of speed while being followed by a Chevrolet SUV. The deputy radioed in and advised other units with the vehicle update; and

Whereas, during this time, other units were staging in the area. Deputy Sessoms lost sight of the vehicle for a short period. However, Corporal Brian Genwright gained a visual on the vehicle as it continued to drive at a high rate of speed toward the city limits of Bennettsville. As deputies and city officers continued to make a lawful traffic stop with activated blue lights and sirens, the vehicle turned into a residential neighborhood. A short time later, the vehicle struck a curb, began to flip, and came to rest on its side as the engine compartment had become engulfed in flames. Sergeant Scott Bowen and Officer Jake King (Bennettsville Police Department) went to the vehicle to check for occupants. Investigator Jackie "Cotton" Heffner observed two individuals on the ground who had been ejected near the burning vehicle. Deputy Sessoms and Investigator Heffner moved one individual to safety while Corporal Genwright and Deputy Brianna Allen moved the second individual to safety. Marlboro County Sheriff Larry McNeil noted to the local newspaper that both individuals had been ejected from the vehicle and were dangerously close to it and that the responding officers had risked their lives in order to save these citizens by dragging them to safety. Sheriff McNeil later awarded Bennettsville police officers Scott Bowen and Jake King and MCSO deputies Jackie "Cotton" Heffner, Brianna Allen, Jeffery Sessoms, and Brian Genwright commendations for their actions that night; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly appreciate the courage and dedication of law enforcement officers like Investigator Jackie "Cotton" Heffner (now sergeant), Corporal Brian Genwright (now sergeant), Deputy Jeffery Sessoms (now investigator), and Deputy Brianna Allen of the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office, as well as Sergeant Scott Bowen and Officer Jake King (now deputy with MCSO) of the Bennettsville Police Department, who put their lives on the line every day and who provide safety and security to protect the citizens of our 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, recognize and honor Investigator Jackie "Cotton" Heffner, Corporal Brian Genwright, Deputy Jeffery Sessoms, and Deputy Brianna Allen of the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office, as well as Sergeant Scott Bowen and Officer Jake King of the Bennettsville Police Department, and congratulate them on being awarded the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Investigator Jackie Heffner, Corporal Brian Genwright, Deputy Jeffery Sessoms, and Deputy Brianna Allen of the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office, and Sergeant Scott Bowen and Officer Jake King of the Bennettsville Police Department.

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