Aiken County Sheriff’s Office honors staff

The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office honored its own Friday, thanking those who have pledged to serve and protect the residents of the area at an annual awards banquet.

Credited for his service to agency’s uniform patrol and his commitment to training new recruits, Brad Dyer was honored with this year’s Jason Sheppard Deputy of the Year award.

The award is given annually in the name of Sheppard, a former sergeant with the sheriff’s office who was killed in the line of duty in December 2006 while he was directing traffic on U.S. Highway 1. The late deputy’s brother, Danny Sheppard, and mother, Emily Brown, presented Dyer with the recognition.

Described as a seasoned deputy who pays attention to detail, Dyer’s colleagues rose to their feet as his name was called and gave the deputy a round of applause.

Having served for nearly a decade with the agency, Aiken County Sheriff Michael Hunt said Dyer is committed to his profession.

Hunt said the profession requires the commitment of dedicated professionals.

“Anyone of the employees deserves an award,” he said. “This is our way every year of taking the time to show them how much we appreciate their dedication.”

He said the deputies are running a high volume of calls and are willing to put their lives on the line.

One deputy honored for that commitment, Larry Cleveland, also received a standing ovation for the duties he performed the morning of Jan. 23 when he was shot by an armed robber who held up the Four Seasons convenience store on Whiskey Road.

The gunman was shot and killed but not before he was able to fire off several rounds at the deputies.

Cleveland, 56 at the time, was shot at three times as he and Deputy Michael Goodwin, 32, entered the store.

Cleveland was struck once in the right shoulder and once in the right hip before he fired off a single bullet that struck the gunman in the chest and killed him.

“He not only did his job, but he also saved the clerk’s life,” Hunt said.

The store’s manager, 37-year-old Sherry Doe of Jackson, was unharmed.

Goodwin, who was honored Friday at the banquet, was also unharmed.

Hunt said Cleveland has still has not fully recovered.

“These people are nominated and selected by their peers to be recognized for the work they do,” Hunt said.

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