TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPON THE PASSING OF CHIEF J. CARROL BUSBEE, SR., FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE AIKEN DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Chief J. Carrol Busbee, Sr., former director of the Aiken Department of Public Safety, on January 3, 2019, at the venerable age of eighty-six; and
Whereas, born in Aiken, Chief Busbee was a son of James Gabriel Busbee and Myrtle Flynn Jones. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, and shortly after returning home, he was hired as a paid volunteer fireman with the Aiken Fire Department. Subsequently, he was hired as a full-time fire equipment operator, appointed fire and building inspector, promoted to fire chief and building inspector, and ultimately promoted to director of the Aiken Department of Public Safety (ADPS), a position in which he served for thirty years; and
Whereas, during Chief Busbee's tenure as chief, the new ADPS building on Laurens Street was completed, the full integration of the Public Safety Department began, the Public Safety Training Grounds were completed, the Aiken Department of Public Safety became the first fire department in South Carolina to reach Class II ISO Rating, two new public-safety substations were completed, and ADPS received accreditation by the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). After his retirement in 1999, Chief Busbee became a volunteer fireman with ADPS and took a position as a part-time business license inspector, retiring from that position in 2014; and
Whereas, he was a member of the South Carolina Firemen's Association for forty years and served as its president from 1980-1990. For two decades, Chief Busbee served on the executive board of the South Carolina State Association of Fire Chiefs, and for more than ten years he served on the executive commission of the South Carolina State Fire Marshal's office; and
Whereas, in honor of Chief Busbee, the City of Aiken and Aiken Department of Public Safety have named the department's new building the J. Carrol Busbee Headquarters, a fitting tribute to a respected native son who served his city long and well. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Busbee headquarters also will give honor to whom honor is due; and
Whereas, preceded in death by a son, Robert F. Busbee, and a daughter, Gabrielle Busbee, Chief Busbee leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Rosemary Plunkett Busbee; his children, James C. Busbee, Jr. (Michelle), Steve C. Busbee (Debbie), Carrolanne Proto (Richard), James M. Williams (Joanna), and Casey E. Busbee; his grandchildren, Clint, Jennifer, Chad, Brandon, Leighanne, Rebecca, Hunter, Fischer, Sullivan, Holdren, Colin, McCarten, Simpson, and Ryall; and his great-grandchildren, Noel, Haven, Brice, Summerlin, Joseph, Aiden, Sophie, Caroline, Layla, Gage, and Faith; and a host of other loving relatives and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. 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 passing of Chief J. Carrol Busbee, Sr., former director of the Aiken Department of Public Safety, and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Rosemary Busbee for the family.