On February 25, 2019, Sgt. James Hester and Deputy Randy Bone responded to a call in the community of Pioneer Plantation and had received information that the man was not in his right mind and was making threats to kill himself. When Deputies arrived on scene they found the man sitting in a chair with a knife to his chest. He told Deputies that he wanted to kill himself.

Many commands were given for him to drop the knife and he would not comply. Deputies calmly spoke with him trying to get him to put the knife down. Hester and Bone were able to take custody of the man without any injuries to him or the deputies. What could have been a devastating situation where a man was prepared to take his own life; both deputies recognized the severity of the situation and took immediate action that prevented all parties from being seriously injured.

Both Sgt. Hester and Deputy Bone were presented with the Sheriff’s Meritorious Conduct Award. This award is for service rendered in the line of duty where the employee because of his/her diligence and perseverance, performs a difficult task in which a human life is protected.