Clarendon County (SC) Deputies Receive June 2018 Officer of the Month Award

Washington, DC—The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has named Major Donnie Drose, Sergeant Clay Conyers and Corporal Kevin Wilson of the Clarendon County (SC) Sheriff’s Office, as the recipients of its Officer of the Month Award for June 2018.

On April 30, 2017, a woman was saved when a motorist driving along Lake Marion in South Carolina noticed a vehicle submerged in the lake and called 911. The three deputies arrived on the scene and observed a small four-door vehicle almost completely underwater approximately 75 yards from the edge of the lake.

Major Drose, Sergeant Conyers and Corporal Wilson swam out to the vehicle. As Major Drose opened the driver’s side door, he found an unresponsive woman floating at the top of the vehicle. He was able to pull her out by her legs with the help of Sergeant Conyers, keeping her head above water.

As Major Drose pulled the woman to shore, Sergeant Conyers and Corporal Wilson took turns administering CPR. Corporal Wilson continued chest compressions as Major Drose and Sergeant Conyers went back to the vehicle to look for other occupants who might still be submerged. Fortunately, there were no other people in the car.

Clarendon County Fire and EMS arrived on the scene and confirmed the woman had a pulse and began treatment. She was taken to the hospital where she remained in a coma for a few days before regaining consciousness.

“I am as proud as I can be of my men, but that’s what they are trained to do,” Clarendon County Sheriff Tim Baxley said. “They don’t worry about themselves.”

“The bravery these deputies showed in saving this woman is outstanding,” Memorial Fund Chief Executive Officer Craig W. Floyd said, “and luckily all three were there to help her survive this experience. It is a pleasure to bestow these officers with the Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Award for June 2018.”

Located in the nation’s capital, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s law enforcement officers. The Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Award Program began in 1996 and recognizes federal, state, and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.

Major Drose, Sergeant Conyers and Corporal Wilson, along with the other Officer of the Month Award recipients for 2018, will be honored at a special awards ceremony in Washington, DC, in 2019.

Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a private non-profit organization dedicated to telling the story of American law enforcement and making it safer for those who serve. The Memorial Fund maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, which contains the names of 21,541 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history. The Memorial Fund is now building the new National Law Enforcement Museum, which will tell the story of American law enforcement by providing visitors a “walk in the shoes” experience. The Museum is working to expand and enrich the relationship shared by law enforcement and the community through the Museum’s educational journeys, immersive exhibitions, and insightful programs. For more information, visit www.LawMemorial.org.