TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DEPUTY KEVIN O'DELL OF THE LEXINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR EXCEPTIONAL COURAGE IN THE FACE OF DANGER WHILE IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM UPON RECEIVING THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION MEDAL OF VALOR AWARD.

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is pleased to learn that Deputy Kevin O'Dell has been awarded the esteemed South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor Award; and

Whereas, the Medal of Valor Award is presented to a deputy sheriff who performs actions above and beyond the call of duty; exhibits exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness, and presence of mind; or acts with unusual swiftness, regardless of his or her personal safety, in an attempt to save or protect human life; and

Whereas, nominations made by the sheriff are presented to a standing committee of sheriffs who evaluate the nominations under consideration for the award; and

Whereas, on August 9, 2020, Deputies Kevin O'Dell and Gabriel Mulkey were dispatched, with other Lexington County deputies, to a location in regard to a domestic dispute involving a firearm, where earlier in the day, deputies had been called after the victim was assaulted by the same subject and fled prior to the deputies' arrival; and

Whereas, en route to the location, the deputies were advised that the subject had set a fire inside the apartment, and when Deputies O'Dell and Mulkey arrived on the scene, they attempted to make contact with the subject; and

Whereas, after refusing to exit the residence for a period of time, the subject quickly exited, using his child as a human shield to prevent deputies from approaching; and

Whereas, when the subject was seen holding a piece of burning cloth near the child as he challenged deputies, Deputy O'Dell, fearing imminent harm to the child, rushed the subject and struggled with him for the cloth; and

Whereas, in the process, the subject released the child and drew a firearm he had concealed on his person and began firing. Deputy O'Dell struggled with the subject, and Deputy Mulkey came to his aid; and

Whereas, the subject opened fire, striking both deputies; Deputy O'Dell sustained injuries to the chest and leg, and Deputy Mulkey was hit in the arm; and

Whereas, both deputies disengaged with the subject, and Master Deputy Huffstetler returned fire, striking the subject. After Deputy Mulkey applied a tourniquet to his injured arm, he was able to assist other deputies and avoid further injury or fear to the nearby neighbors or to the child on the scene while taking the subject who continued to resist into custody; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is honored to recognize the heroism and determination of law enforcement officers and first responders like Kevin O'Dell who protect and defend our citizens, putting the safety of others above their own personal safety. 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 Deputy Kevin O'Dell of the Lexington County Sheriff's Office for exceptional courage in the face of danger while in the line of duty and congratulate him upon receiving the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor Award.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Lexington County Sheriff's Office Deputy Kevin O'Dell.