A house RESOLUTION

TO HONOR CORPORAL KRISTIAN GOING, DEPUTY WANDA ALEXANDER, DEPUTY SANDRA STINSON, AND DEPUTY RICHARD GRIFFIN OF THE CHESTER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR EXCEPTIONAL COURAGE AND DECISIVE ACTION IN RESPONDING TO A DANGEROUS HOSTAGE SITUATION, COMMEND THEM FOR THEIR HEROIC SERVICE IN THE LINE OF DUTY, and CONGRATULATE THEM UPON RECEIVING THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION MEDAL OF VALOR.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to recognize Corporal Kristian Going, Deputy Wanda Alexander, Deputy Sandra Stinson, and Deputy Richard Griffin of the Chester County Sheriff's Office for exceptional courage, decisive action, and devotion to duty in responding to a dangerous hostage situation at Chester Park Elementary School. On October 31, 2025, these deputies, while serving as school resource officers for the Chester County School District, responded to a rapidly escalating, life-threatening incident on school grounds involving a violent suspect whose actions placed students, faculty, and staff in immediate danger; and

Whereas, the incident began with a vehicle crash on campus. Deputy Griffin demonstrated keen situational awareness by responding to the accident, recognizing the escalating threat, and immediately calling for additional assistance after the suspect fled the scene on foot toward the school. The suspect next entered a playground area and violently breached a classroom by diving through a glass window, creating chaos and terror among students and staff. Amid the confusion and danger, Deputy Alexander displayed exceptional composure and professionalism by securing the crash scene and rendering aid to the injured victim in the vehicle, thus ensuring the safety of others and allowing responding deputies to focus fully on the unfolding emergency. Inside the classroom, the suspect engaged in a physical struggle with school personnel before seizing a child and forcibly dragging the student onto the playground, thereby creating an immediate and grave threat to the safety and life of the child; and

Whereas, acting without hesitation and with complete disregard for her own safety, Deputy Stinson rushed directly toward the armed, volatile suspect in an effort to protect the child and prevent further harm. She was immediately joined by Deputy Griffin and Corporal Going. Facing an unpredictable and dangerous situation, these deputies coordinated a swift and courageous tactical response without waiting for additional backup, placing themselves directly between the suspect and innocent children in order to stop the threat and rescue the abducted child; and

Whereas, through their extraordinary bravery, teamwork, and decisive intervention, the child was safely recovered, the suspect was apprehended, and no student, staff member, or deputy suffered serious injury during the incident. The actions of Corporal Going, Deputy Alexander, Deputy Stinson, and Deputy Griffin exemplify the highest standards of courage, professionalism, and public service and reflect great credit upon the Chester County Sheriff's Office and the State of South Carolina. With great pride, the House of Representatives salutes these stalwart 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, honor Corporal Kristian Going, Deputy Wanda Alexander, Deputy Sandra Stinson, and Deputy Richard Griffin of the Chester County Sheriff's Office for exceptional courage and decisive action in responding to a dangerous hostage situation, commend them for their heroic service in the line of duty, 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 Corporal Kristian Going, Deputy Wanda Alexander, Deputy Sandra Stinson, and Deputy Richard Griffin.

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