South Carolina S 570: Driver's license

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 570 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 16, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 570

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 SERGEANTS HUNTER RUFF, DANIEL 
MCCOWN, AND STEPHEN EARWOOD OF THE ANDERSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND TO 
CONGRATULATE THEM ON BEING AWARDED THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION 
2024 MEDAL OF VALOR. 

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina General Assembly are pleased to learn that Sergeants Hunter 
Ruff, Daniel McCown, and Stephen Earwood of the Anderson County Sheriff's 
Office were awarded the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association 2024 Medal of Valor 
on April 23, 2025, for courageously taking swift and decisive action in the 
face of extreme danger, thus saving a child's life; and

Whereas, the award is 
presented annually to law enforcement officers who perform actions above and 
beyond the call of duty; exhibit exceptional courage, extraordinary 
decisiveness, and presence of mind; or act with unusual swiftness, regardless 
of personal safety, in an attempt to save or protect human life; and

Whereas, on May 8, 2024, 
deputies from the Special Investigations Division assisted in the attempted 
apprehension of Joshua Dornellas, who had kidnapped his son, Bennett Dornellas, 
earlier that same day. Deputies located Joshua and followed him along 
Interstate 85 into Georgia, where Georgia law enforcement initiated a pursuit. 
During the chase, Joshua set his vehicle on fire and abandoned it while it was 
still in motion, leaving Bennett trapped inside. The burning truck veered off 
the roadway, up an embankment, and into the woods, where it quickly became 
fully engulfed in flames; and

Whereas, upon arrival at 
the scene, law enforcement officers made immediate attempts to extinguish the 
fire. Demonstrating extraordinary bravery, Sergeant Ruff entered the burning 
vehicle through the driver's window and located Bennett on the driver's side 
floorboard. Unable to exit while holding the child, he was assisted by Sergeant 
Earwood, who pulled him and Bennett from the vehicle. Bennett had sustained 
severe burns, and Sergeant McCown immediately began administering critical 
first aid. With EMS still en route, the decision was made to transport Bennett 
to medical personnel without delay. Sergeant Earwood carried Bennett to a law 
enforcement vehicle, where Sergeant McCown continued providing emergency care 
while Sergeant Ruff drove them to meet LifeFlight on Interstate 85. According 
to flight medics and doctors, Bennett would not have survived without their 
swift, decisive, and heroic actions; and

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina General Assembly appreciate the courage and dedication of 
law enforcement officers like Sergeants Hunter Ruff, Daniel McCown, and Stephen 
Earwood who put their lives on the line every day and who provide safety and 
security to protect the citizens of our great State. 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 Sergeants Hunter Ruff, Daniel 
McCown, and Stephen Earwood of the Anderson County Sheriff's Office and 
congratulate them on being awarded the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association 
2024 Medal of Valor.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution 
be presented to Sergeants Hunter Ruff, Daniel McCown, and Stephen Earwood.

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This web page was last updated on April 16, 2025 at 01:10 PM