Crimestoppers of Oconee County, Inc. Announces Award Recipients at Recent Public Safety Luncheon

Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw, Dispatcher Tim Floyd and Captain Justin Ward

Sheriff Mike Crenshaw, Detention Deputy Christopher Black and Captain Jeremy Chapman

Sheriff Mike Crenshaw and Sergeant Adam Logan

Kent Whitten and Dispatcher Mark Fuller

Firefighter Matthew Nix (On the Left)

Joel Davis (In the Middle)

Firefighter Holly Merritt (On the Right)

Officer Dylan Morgan and Chief Ben Hailey

Firefighter David Greenwald (On the Left)

Chief Tim Rice and Officer Parker Scruggs

Chief Casey Bowling, Officer Tyler Owens, Firefighter Hope Nichols, Fire Chief Richie Caudill and Dispatcher Laura Adams

First Sergeant David Carr and Corporal Lucas Watts

Game Warden Bill Bense

Firefighter Alexander Simmons (On the Left)

Officer Austin Sheppard and Chief Fred Miller

Officer Brian Sheriff and Chief Scott Peterson

(NOT PICTURED: Firefighter Asa Sylar and Trooper Brandon Justice)

(Walhalla, SC)———————————Crimestoppers of Oconee County, Inc., in partnership with our friends at Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, is announcing the award recipients from the recent 8^th Annual Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon.

The luncheon was held on Monday, September 15^th at the Blue Ridge Community Room.  Lunch was provided by 313 Café in Seneca for the award recipients and distinguished guests who were in attendance.

This year, the second Lucas Watts Courage Award was awarded to Oconee County Sheriff’s Deputies First Sergeant David Carr and Corporal Chris Johnson, who exhibited bravery and courage on November 16^th, 2023 in the officer involved shooting that injured Corporal Lucas Watts.  The award will be voted upon each year by the board of Crimestoppers of Oconee County, Inc. based upon nominations made by participating agencies.

Also, a special presentation and recognition was presented to former Blue Electric Co-Operative Board Member Joel Davis for his work in facilitating the annual Public Safety Luncheon.

The other award winners that were recognized were as follows:

City of Salem:

Officer of the Year: Brian Sheriff

Firefighter of the Year: Asa Sylar

City of Seneca:

Officer of the Year: Tyler Owens

Firefighter of the Year: Hope Nichols

Telecommunicator of the Year: Laura Adams

City of West Union:

Officer of the Year: Dylan Morgan

City of Walhalla:

Officer of the Year: Parker Scruggs

Firefighter of the Year: Holly Merritt

City of Westminster:

Officer of the Year: Austin Sheppard

Firefighter of the Year: Matthew Nix

Keowee Fire Department:

Firefighter of the Year: Alexander Simmons

Oconee County Fire Services:

Firefighter of the Year: David Greenwald

Oconee County Sheriff’s Office:

Deputy of the Year: Adam Logan

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources:

Game Warden of the Year: Bill Bense

Oconee County Detention Center:

Detention Deputy of the Year: Christopher Black

Oconee County E-911:

Telecommunicator of the Year: Tim Floyd

Prisma Emergency Services:

Telecommunicator of the Year: Mark Fuller

South Carolina Highway Patrol:

Trooper of the Year: Brandon Justice