South Carolina S 569: Medal of Valor-Hampton County Deputy Kyle Richard Horton

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 569 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 16, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 569

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A concurrent RESOLUTION

to RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DEPUTY KYLE 
RICHARD HORTON OF THE HAMPTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR EXCEPTIONAL COURAGE 
IN THE FACE OF LIFE-THREATENING DANGER TO A CITIZEN WHILE ON DUTY AND TO 
CONGRATULATE HIM UPON RECEIVING THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION 2024 
MEDAL OF VALOR AWARD. 

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is pleased to learn that 
Deputy Kyle Richard Horton will be awarded the esteemed South Carolina 
Sheriffs' Association 2024 Medal of Valor Award during the association's awards 
banquet in Columbia on April 23, 2025; and

Whereas, the Medal of Valor Award is presented to a deputy sheriff 
who performs actions above and beyond the call of duty; exhibits exceptional 
courage, extraordinary decisiveness, and presence of mind; or acts with unusual 
swiftness, regardless of his or her personal safety, in an attempt to save or 
protect human life. Nominations made by the sheriff are presented to a standing 
committee of sheriffs who evaluate the nominations, and recipients are 
presented with the medal at the awards banquet; and

Whereas, on Thursday, April 16, 2024, a vehicle was traveling toward 
Deputy Horton at a very high rate of speed. Deputy Horton pursued the vehicle, 
and the driver stopped. After approaching the driver, Deputy Horton discovered 
that the elderly driver, Velma Carter, was transporting her husband, Wayne 
Gordyn Carter, from Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Mr. Carter had pulled on his 
tracheostomy tube (trach tube), a medical device inserted into the windpipe to 
maintain an open airway and facilitate breathing. He had dislodged the tube, 
causing bleeding. Officer Horton immediately went to Mr. Carter and was able to 
secure it back in place, saving his life; and

Whereas, Mrs. Carter later contacted the Hampton County Sheriff's 
Office, praising the efforts of the officer, and said she was told by the home 
health nurse that the officer had saved Mr. Carter's life, because he had 
successfully secured the trach tube back in place. Having a humble nature, 
Deputy Horton did not submit an incident report for this event; however, 
footage on Deputy Horton's department-issued body cam recorded the event of his 
life-saving presence of mind and swiftness; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is honored to recognize 
the heroism and determination of law enforcement officers and first responders 
like Kyle Horton who protect and defend our citizens, putting the safety of 
others above their own personal safety. 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 Deputy Kyle 
Richard Horton of the Hampton County Sheriff's Office for exceptional courage 
in the face of life-threatening danger to a citizen while on duty and 
congratulate him upon receiving the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association 2024 
Medal of Valor Award.

Be it further resolved that a copy 
of this resolution be presented to Deputy Kyle Richard Horton.

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This web page was last updated on April 16, 2025 at 01:09 PM