South Carolina H 4331: Medal of Valor Award - Richland County 6/20/24

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4331 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 09, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4331

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 K-9 WICK OF THE RICHLAND 
COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, TO CELEBRATE HIM ON BEING POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE 
SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION MEDAL OF VALOR, AND TO MOURN HIS UNTIMELY 
DEATH IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina General Assembly have learned that K-9 Wick of the Richland 
County Sheriff's Department will be awarded the South Carolina Sheriffs' 
Association Medal of Valor on April 23, 2025, posthumously, for his courageous 
pursuit of a suspect that ended in K-9 Wick's death; and

Whereas, the South 
Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor 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 June 19, 
2024, around lunchtime, a work van was stolen in the City of Columbia while 
workers took a lunch break, leaving their keys and worksite unattended. A 
suspect seized the keys and stole the van. In the early hours of June 20, the stolen 
van was spotted near Windsor Lake Boulevard and Brookfield Road. Deputies 
attempted to stop the vehicle, but the suspect fled, sparking a chase down 
Decker Boulevard and onto I-77 for over ten miles. The pursuit ended when deputies 
deployed stop sticks to halt the vehicle; and

Whereas, Specialist 
Zaid Abdullah and K-9 Wick exited the patrol car to pursue the suspect on the 
interstate. As they crossed the median barrier on I-77, K-9 Wick's leash became 
detached, but K-9 Wick continued his pursuit. Tragically, when K-9 Wick entered 
an interstate traffic lane, he was struck by a passing vehicle and killed instantly; 
and

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina General Assembly are grateful for the courage and dedication 
of law enforcement officers like K-9 Wick 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 House of Representatives, the Senate 
concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General 
Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor K-9 Wick of the Richland 
County Sheriff's Department, celebrate him on being awarded the South Carolina 
Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor, and mourn his untimely death in the line 
of duty. 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution 
be presented to K-9 Specialist Zaid Abdullah, K-9 Wick's devoted handler.

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This web page was last updated on April 09, 2025 at 03:26 PM