GCSO Deputies Awarded for Their Blood and Valor

Greenville County Sheriff Steve Loftis presented one Purple Heart award and seven Medal of Valor awards Friday to deputies that have been involved in two recent critical incidents. 

The Purple Heart award is the Sheriff’s Office newest award and recognizes a deputy who receives a grievous injury in the line of duty. Deputy Brandon Lackey received the award following a gunshot wound he received during the arrest of an individual at the Red Roof Inn on August 13 on the outskirts of Mauldin.

The Medal of Valor award "recognizes a deputy who willingly risks his or her life in the furtherance of a law enforcement mission or to save the life of another." For that, Master Deputy Steven Epps and Deputy Michael Giovanni received the award for their actions in saving the life of a kidnapped woman on May 21, Loftis said. 

In addition, deputies David Picone, Suzanne Sarra, Joe Bouton, Tim Jackson, and Kevin Burnett received the valor award for their actions during the Red Roof Inn shooting.

The kidnapping incident occurred around 3 p.m. on May 21, when a woman was kidnapped from her home on Brockman Avenue and forced to drive at knife point by the suspect. 

Master Deputy Epps and Deputy Giovanni were able to get the vehicle stopped at the intersection of Abney Street and Draper Street where the suspect attempted to stab the woman. Master Deputy Epps shot the suspect while Deputy Giovanni was attempting to get the victim away from the vehicle. Their combined actions saved the life of the kidnapped victim, Loftis said.

located at 2801 Laurens road, on August 13, a day that Loftis has said is one of the most traumatic and memorable in his long tenure as sheriff.

Deputies were called to the location in reference to a rape investigation and encountered the suspect in the hotel parking lot. Once learning of active warrants on the suspect, they attempted to arrest him when he began to resist. During the struggle the suspect was able to get his finger on Lackey's handgun and fire one round into his leg, causing massive blood loss. 

which prevented any further injury to Lackey or innocent persons, Loftis said. 

After the shooting, deputies Tim Jackson, Joe Bouton, and Kevin Burnett applied a tourniquet and provided first-aid to Lackey until EMS arrived. Their actions saved Lackey’s life, said Loftis.