(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------On Tuesday of this week, Corporal Lucas Watts of the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office was named the Governor’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for a County agency at the 2nd Annual Governor’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Ceremony.
The ceremony and luncheon was held in Columbia and was attended by Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw, Deputies who serve with Corporal Watts and Lucas’ family to include wife Haley, who accepted the award for Lucas.
Lucas was nominated by Sheriff Crenshaw through the South Carolina Sheriffs’ Association. Along with the award, Lucas also will receive a check for $10,000. Governor McMaster also recognized a city officer and a state officer during the luncheon. There were 13 finalists for the three awards to include four finalists in the county group in which Lucas was named the recipient.
Corporal Watts was shot in the line of duty back on November 16th, 2023 in the Port Bass area of southern Oconee County. After being initially transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital for treatment, Lucas was then transferred to an out of state rehabilitation facility to begin the long process of rehabilitation.
On Wednesday of this week, Lucas was discharged and returned back home, where he was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of supporters at Highway 11 at I-85. Lucas will continue his rehabilitation as he continues to recover.