South Carolina H 4330: Medal of Valor-Richland County K9 Kodak and K9 Specialist Samantha Ramirez

Bill Text

South Carolina General Assembly

126th Session, 2025-2026



H. 4330



STATUS INFORMATION



Concurrent Resolution

Sponsors: Reps. Bernstein, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, B.J. Cox, B.L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Gilreath, Govan, Grant, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J.E. Johnson, J.L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Luck, Magnuson, Martin, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rankin, Reese, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sanders, Schuessler, Sessions, G.M. Smith, M.M. Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Waters, Weeks, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow

Document Path: LC-0229VR-RM25.docx



Introduced in the House on April 9, 2025

Introduced in the Senate on April 10, 2025

Adopted by the General Assembly on April 10, 2025



Summary: Medal of Valor-Richland County K9 Kodak and K9 Specialist Samantha Ramirez





HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS



	Date	Body	Action Description with journal page number	

	4/9/2025	House	Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate (House Journal‑page 100)

	4/10/2025	Senate	Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence (Senate Journal‑page 10)



View the latest  legislative information  at the website





VERSIONS OF THIS BILL



04/09/2025

























A concurrent RESOLUTION



TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR K-9 KODAK 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 Kodak 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 Kodak’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 October 5, 2024, around 3:00 a.m., patrol deputies requested K‑9 assistance to help locate a suspect who had fled on foot around the area of Leesburg Road in Lower Richland. Deputies had already established a perimeter when K‑9 Specialist Samantha Ramirez and K‑9 Kodak arrived to assist. They, along with K‑9 Specialist O’Shaughnessy, began to track through a heavily wooded area. As the track continued, K‑9 Kodak became entangled in some razor‑wire fencing that was concealed by brush, and as a result he sustained severe lacerations to his abdomen and leg. K‑9 Specialist Ramirez and K‑9 Specialist O’Shaughnessy also sustained lacerations as they attempted to help K‑9 Kodak get untangled; and



Whereas, K‑9 Kodak was immediately taken to CVETS, where he underwent emergency surgery; sadly, however, despite the best efforts of his emergency caregivers, he succumbed to his injuries a few days later; and



Whereas, K‑9 Kodak displayed great bravery as he attempted to continue the pursuit after he was injured. During the course of his career, K‑9 Kodak was highly renowned as being the most successful in captures and apprehensions, and his dedication to duty was second to none; and



Whereas, the General Assembly grieves with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department over the loss of K‑9 Kodak, a 6‑year‑old Dutch shepherd who had worked as a partner with K‑9 Specialist Ramirez for four years at the time of his passing; and



Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly appreciate the courage and dedication of law enforcement officers like K‑9 Kodak 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 Kodak 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 Spec