A house RESOLUTION

TO recognize and honor Senior Corporal Daniel Dinkins and Senior Corporal Zachary Rutan of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office for their extraordinary courage, professionalism, and devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, to commend them for their heroic service in a line of duty that exemplifies the highest standards of Law Enforcement and public service, and to congratulate them upon receiving the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to recognize Senior Corporal Daniel Dinkins and Senior Corporal Zachary Rutan of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office for extraordinary courage, professionalism, and devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger; and

Whereas, on October 2, 2025, deputies with the Sumter County Sheriff's Office responded to a domestic stabbing incident in which the victim had suffered multiple stab wounds and reported that the suspect had fled the scene in her vehicle while armed with a handgun; and

Whereas, shortly thereafter, Senior Corporal Daniel Dinkins located the suspect vehicle after it was identified by a FLOCK camera system and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, at which time the suspect fled, initiating a dangerous vehicle pursuit through Sumter County; and

Whereas, during the course of the pursuit, the armed suspect repeatedly fired multiple shots at Senior Corporal Dinkins from the driver's side window of the fleeing vehicle, placing law enforcement officers and innocent motorists in imminent danger. Senior Corporal Dinkins courageously returned fire while continuing the pursuit under life-threatening conditions; and

Whereas, upon learning of the unfolding emergency, Senior Corporal Zachary Rutan, though off duty at the time, immediately responded to assist as a member of the Sheriff's Emergency Response Team and positioned himself ahead of the pursuit in an effort to safely end the threat posed by the suspect; and

Whereas, after observing the suspect continue to operate the vehicle recklessly at a high rate of speed while armed and actively threatening deputies, Senior Corporal Rutan made the courageous and decisive determination to utilize his patrol vehicle to disable the suspect vehicle and terminate the pursuit before additional lives could be endangered; and

Whereas, following the successful termination of the pursuit, Senior Corporal Dinkins and Senior Corporal Rutan approached the suspect vehicle and observed the armed suspect suffering from a gunshot wound while still in possession of the handgun, thereby bringing a violent and dangerous incident to an end; and

Whereas, the bravery, sound judgment, and unwavering commitment to public safety displayed by Senior Corporal Daniel Dinkins and Senior Corporal Zachary Rutan reflect the highest traditions of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office and the law enforcement profession throughout the State of South Carolina; and

Whereas, it is altogether fitting and proper for the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives to pause in their deliberations to honor these courageous officers upon their receipt of the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Senior Corporal Daniel Dinkins and Senior Corporal Zachary Rutan of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office for their extraordinary courage, professionalism, and devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, commend them for their heroic service in a line of duty that exemplifies the highest standards of law enforcement and public service, and congratulate them upon receiving the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Senior Corporal Daniel Dinkins and Senior Corporal Zachary Rutan.

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