South Carolina S 563: Medal of Valor-Newberry Sergeant Michael Claytor et al.

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 563 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 15, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 563

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 SERGEANT MICHAEL CLAYTOR OF 
THE NEWBERRY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, ALONG WITH SLED AGENT KEITH THROWER, SLED 
AGENT COREY JAGER, SLED AGENT COLE POWELL, AND K9 AGENT COBA, AND TO CONGRATULATE 
THEM ON BEING AWARDED THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION MEDAL OF VALOR.

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina General Assembly are pleased to learn that Sergeant Michael 
Claytor of the Newberry County Sheriff's Office, along with SLED Agent Keith 
Thrower, SLED Agent Corey Jager, SLED Agent Cole Powell, and K9 Agent Coba, 
were awarded the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor on April 
23, 2025, for taking action that showed fortitude and cool-headedness while 
under gunfire and in eminent danger; 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, early on June 
11, 2024, Sergeant Michael Claytor of the Newberry County Sheriff's Office, 
SLED Agent Keith Thrower, SLED Agent Corey Jager, SLED Agent Cole Powell, and 
K9 Agent Coba (handled by SLED Agent Powell) were assigned to serve a warrant 
on a person who was wanted for burglarizing a home while armed and who also was 
a fugitive from justice. These law enforcement officers, accompanied by K9 
Agent Coba, entered a home in which the suspect was believed to be hiding; and

Whereas, having entered 
the home, the group of officers and K9 Coba confronted and then challenged the 
suspect, who was armed with a long gun; and

Whereas, the suspect 
pointed the weapon at the law enforcement officers and fired, striking K9 Coba, 
which prompted the law enforcement officers to return fire. The suspect then 
was neutralized and taken into custody; and

Whereas, sadly, K9 Coba 
suffered mortal wounds while protecting the law enforcement officers; and

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina General Assembly appreciate the courage and dedication of 
law enforcement officers like Sergeant Michael Claytor of the Newberry County 
Sheriff's Office, along with SLED Agents Keith Thrower, Corey Jager, Cole Powell, 
and K9 Agent Coba, 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 Sergeant Michael Claytor of 
the Newberry County Sheriff's Office, along with SLED Agent Keith Thrower, SLED 
Agent Corey Jager, SLED Agent Cole Powell, and K9 Agent Coba, and congratulate 
them on being awarded the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution 
be presented to these fine law enforcement officers.

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This web page was last updated on April 15, 2025 at 12:45 PM