TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR NARCOTICS INVESTIGATOR KEN HANCOCK FOR HIS MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SPARTANBURG COMMUNITY AND CONGRATULATE HIM FOR RECEIVING THE MEDAL OF VALOR.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are pleased to recognize Spartanburg County Narcotics Investigator Ken Hancock for winning the prestigious Medal of Valor for his heroic actions during an active shooting incident in 2021; and
Whereas, on July 1, 2021, Investigator Hancock responded to an active shooting in Spartanburg County. Upon arrival at the scene, he encountered a Spartanburg Water Works employee who had been shot in the leg; and
Whereas, as Investigator Hancock applied a tourniquet to the victim's wound, he learned that a Spartanburg City K-9 was tracking a potential suspect and that his current location was not the original scene of the shooting incident; and
Whereas, Investigator Hancock gave two Water Works employees a ride to the original shooting location, where a Spartanburg officer advised Investigator Hancock that there was an individual inside a nearby residence who was injured. Investigator Hancock retrieved a sledgehammer that officers used in efforts to open the door; and
Whereas, when officers attempted to breach the door, they realized the door was barricaded from the inside. Several gunshots were fired from inside the residence, and Investigator Hancock sustained a gunshot wound. He retreated and was pulled to safety. Once in a safe location, a tourniquet was placed on his wound, and a patrol car rushed him to the hospital; and
Whereas, over the next few days, Investigator Hancock underwent several surgeries on his left arm and elbow. As a result of the surgeries, he suffered a mild stroke, which caused him to enter a rehabilitation facility following his release from the hospital. He stayed at the rehabilitation center until July 29, 2021; and
Whereas, Investigator Hancock's actions responding to a call he did not have to respond to, making a decisive decision to attempt to save and protect human life, backing up officers from another jurisdiction, and placing himself in harm's way went above and beyond the call of duty. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor Narcotics Investigator Ken Hancock for his many contributions to the Spartanburg community and congratulate him for receiving the Medal of Valor.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Spartanburg County Narcotics Investigator Ken Hancock.