CORPORAL LUCAS WATTS
On the afternoon of November 16, 2023, Oconee County Sheriff's deputies pulled over a man driving a pick-up truck. However, after initially pulling over, the man sped away. The driver led officers on a pursuit when, after about four miles, shots were fired.
Corporal Lucas Watts was hit by gunfire and seriously injured. He has undergone multiple surgeries. Following these surgeries, he remained in stable but critical condition. After spending months at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia, Lucas returned home in May of 2024. His recovery continued at home, spending many hours in physical therapy and traveling back and forth to medical appointments.
Lucas's recovery has been described as a "miracle" by not only his family, but medical professionals, Sheriff Crenshaw, co-workers, and the community! "I saw a dead man come back to life...because of the hand of God" were the words of Sheriff Crenshaw during an emotional testimony at Westminster First Baptist Church where he described the aftermath of the incident, offering an often-untold perspective from a sheriff's point of view.
In July of 2024, Lucas was awarded the South Carolina Sheriff's Association's Deputy of the Year award for his courage and his strength following this incident. While Lucas was not able to physically attend this ceremony, the Oconee County Sheriff's Office facilitated a private livestream of the ceremonies, and his brother, Logan Watts, accepted the award on behalf of Lucas. At the ceremony, a video was played which you can watch below.
Lucas was also honored in 2024 by Crimestoppers of Oconee County and Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative at the annual Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon, sponsored by Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative. Crimestoppers of Oconee County, in recognition of the extraordinary courage that was displayed by Lucas not only on November 16, 2023, but also during his entire recover, created the Lucas Watts Courage Award was created, which recognizes public safety members who display unbreakable courage in unimaginable situations. Cpl. Lucas Watts was the first recipient in September of 2024.
Cpl. Watts is a six-year law enforcement veteran. He began his career with the Anderson County Sheriff's Office (SC). In 2019, Lucas transitioned to the Oconee County Sheriff's Office and was briefly assigned to "Charlie Shift" (night shift), then moved to "Alpha Shift" (day shift) later that year. In 2020, Lucas was promoted to Corporal on the PACE (Pro-Active Community Engagement) Team. Lucas was one of our two full-time marine unit deputies, primarily assigned to patrol the lakes in Oconee County, but he also assisted with other duties and assignments as needed.
In January of 2026, Lucas medically retired from law enforcement. But this isn't the end of his story! Lucas is still active and regularly comes around the Sheriff's Office. He regularly joins the PACE Team for lunch and comes out for special events. Lucas will always be a part of the Sheriff's Office family!
He and his wife, Haley, welcomed their first child in September 2023.