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S. 634
STATUS INFORMATION
Concurrent Resolution
Sponsors: Senators Grooms, Scott and Matthews
Document Path: l:\council\bills\swb\5211cm07.doc
Companion/Similar bill(s): 3910
Introduced in the Senate on April 3, 2007
Introduced in the House on April 18, 2007
Adopted by the General Assembly on June 5, 2007
Summary: Corporal Phillip Michael Deese Memorial Interchange
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
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4/3/2007 Senate Introduced SJ-11
4/3/2007 Senate Referred to Committee on Transportation SJ-11
4/12/2007 Senate Recalled from Committee on Transportation SJ-9
4/13/2007 Scrivener's error corrected
4/17/2007 Senate Adopted, sent to House SJ-18
4/18/2007 House Introduced HJ-30
4/18/2007 House Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
Resolutions HJ-30
5/31/2007 House Committee report: Favorable Invitations and Memorial
Resolutions HJ-2
6/5/2007 House Adopted, returned to Senate with concurrence HJ-69
View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
4/3/2007
4/12/2007
4/13/2007
5/31/2007
COMMITTEE REPORT
May 31, 2007
S. 634
S. Printed 5/31/07--H.
Read the first time April 18, 2007.
To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S. 634) to request that the Department of Transportation name the interchange located at Exit 177 along Interstate Highway 26 in Dorchester County, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
ROBERT W. LEACH, SR. for Committee.
TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE INTERCHANGE LOCATED AT EXIT 177 ALONG INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 26 IN DORCHESTER COUNTY "CORPORAL PHILLIP MICHAEL DEESE MEMORIAL INTERCHANGE" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS AT THIS INTERCHANGE THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS "CORPORAL PHILLIP MICHAEL DEESE MEMORIAL INTERCHANGE".
Whereas, Phillip Michael Deese was born in Chesterfield County on July 7, 1968. He graduated from high school in Goose Creek and attended the College of Charleston, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree. Upon graduation, he worked in the private sector for several years before taking his first ride-a-long with a Dorchester County Deputy Sheriff. This exposure to the duties of a deputy sheriff in turn sparked a new career decision for Michael Deese; and
Whereas, Michael Deese was sworn into office with the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office as a Reserve Deputy in January 2000. As a Reserve Deputy he volunteered more than his required off-time hours from his full-time job. After approximately six months as a Reserve Deputy, Michael was sworn into office as a full-time Deputy Sheriff on July 5, 2000. He loved serving Dorchester County and believed strongly that his calling and duty in life was serving and protecting his fellow citizens. Deputy Deese graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy as a distinguished graduate in September of 2001. He quickly established his resourcefulness, initiative, and enthusiasm by playing a crucial role in implementing the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) Bloodhound Tracking Team; and
Whereas, on April 6, 2003, Deputy Deese and his K-9 partner, Bailey, were shot by a man armed with a shotgun while responding to a domestic violence call near Knightsville at close range. Deputy Deese sustained gunshot wounds to his face, chest, and right arm. K-9 Bailey, the department's longest serving Bloodhound, was hit with pellets from the shotgun blasts while in the rear of Deese's patrol vehicle. "The bravery and courage exhibited by Deputy Deese that night helped keep others in the area from becoming hurt", said Dorchester County Sheriff Ray Nash. "Even after being shot multiple times, Deputy Deese was able to return fire at the suspect and radio for help giving a detailed description of the assailant which later aided deputies in apprehending him", Nash said; and
Whereas, Deputy Deese went above and beyond the call of duty that night as he always had done while employed by the sheriff's office. On July 16, 2003, Deputy Deese was recognized by the South Carolina Sheriff's Association as the "Deputy of the Year" and also was awarded the "Medal of Valor" for his bravery that night. Deputy Deese is the only officer to be so distinguished in receiving both awards; and
Whereas, in December of 2003, Deputy Deese was selected to become a member of the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard. The duty of the honor guard is to present the colors at different DCSO functions including parades, promotion ceremonies, and other special events. The Honor Guard also plays a large part in funerals involving officers to include guarding and movement of the casket, presentation of the flag to the family, as well as rendering the twenty-one gun salute; and
Whereas, in July of 2005, Deputy Deese was promoted to Corporal. His family and friends were there to offer their support and express their enthusiasm for Michael and all that he had accomplished; and
Whereas, during his years of service, Corporal Deese worked in several different areas of the sheriff's office from road patrol to the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Unit. His last assignment was working in the Region One area, which includes the upper part of Dorchester County to include St. George and Harleyville; and
Whereas, on March 9, 2007, Corporal Deese was traveling west bound along Interstate Highway 26 near the 177 mile marker in Dorchester County on his way to his regular scheduled shift. He signed on to duty through the dispatch center at approximately 5:10 p.m. and planned on working traffic control along the interstate while enroute to his assigned region; and
Whereas, at approximately 5:17 p.m. a driver traveling east bound on his way home from work to his home in Summerville apparently fell asleep at the wheel. His truck traveled across the median and struck Corporal Deese's patrol vehicle head on. Both the driver of the truck, Corporal Deese, and K-9 Sonja were killed on impact. This tragedy has been a very emotional and trying time for the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office and the family of Corporal Deese, which includes his parents, wife, and three children; and
Whereas, Corporal Deese daily demonstrated the core values of the sheriff's office which are "Duty, Honor, and Service". In his own words he continues to speak to us... "I put my heart and soul into performing my duties, always striving to go above and beyond to meet the needs of my superiors as well as the residents of the county and state for whom I am sworn to serve and protect. I carry with me a sense of duty and honor and this is supported by my age, maturity level, decision-making skills, and the ability to stay calm and function above and beyond in times of extreme crises." These words certainly have been inscribed in the hearts of all who knew and served with him; and
Whereas, it would be fitting and proper for the members of the General Assembly to pay a lasting tribute to this son of South Carolina by having the interchange located at Exit 177 along Interstate Highway 26 in Dorchester County named in his honor. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly, request that the Department of Transportation name the interchange located at Exit 177 along Interstate Highway 26 in Dorchester County "Corporal Phillip Michael Deese Memorial Interchange" and erect appropriate markers or signs along this interchange that contain the words "Corporal Phillip Michael Deese Memorial Interchange".
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.
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