Deputy Eugene Brantley (Life Saving Award)

On March 25, 2015 at approximately 0930 hours a female, later identified as Ashpiana Long, approached Deputy Eugene Brantley and asked him to call 911 because her one year old child, Ayden Long, was not breathing. Nine-one-one was called and Deputy Louise Staten came from her courtroom to assist. She determined that the child was not breathing and immediately began performing CPR. The child started breathing again for a brief period, and then stopped breathing again. Corporal Walter Ashley, who is one of the Sheriff’s Office’s CPR instructors, began additional CPR and the child began breathing again. The child was breathing when the EMTs arrived and transported the child to the hospital. The child was awake and stable upon transport.

Deputy Brantley, Deputy Staten and Corporal Ashley are to be commended for their response. The actions of these deputies without a doubt saved a life.  Our agency and community are very grateful for your service with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy Jacob Green (seen in photo)Deputy David Welchel, Sgt. Tommy Usry, Deputy Steven Jones (all others not in photo)  

On September 2, 2014 at 1143 hours, deputies responded to a burglary in progress at 210 Chatham Rd. A description was given by dispatch of a Gray Dodge Caravan as being the suspect vehicle. Deputy David Whelchel spotted the vehicle and followed it until Deputy Brian Strickland arrived. Deputy Strickland attempted to stop the Caravan but it fled to Warren Rd. where the suspects fled on foot. Deputy Strickland and Whelchel gave chase. Deputy Strickland, at great risk, chased the suspects across I-20. Deputy Jacob Green had responded to the area and joined in the foot pursuit. The suspects split up and one was captured in a field on Skinner Mill Rd. near Crossbridge Baptist Church by Deputy Steven Jones and Sgt. Tommy Usry. The second suspect was located in a closet in an apartment at 3188 Skinner Mill Rd. that belonged to his sister. All property taken in the burglary was returned to the owner. There was no injury or property damage in the incident. The actions of these deputies are to be commended for their quick response and relentless pursuit of these subjects which resulted in the prompt and efficient arrest of 2 burglary suspects.  The actions of these deputies have helped to make Augusta-Richmond County safer for our citizens and these arrests will assist with the clearance of other cases in the area.

Deputy Kenneth McKenzie

On Augusta 23^rd 2014 at 1625 hours Deputy Kenneth McKenzie answered a call to the Augusta Hotel at 1365 Gordon Highway in reference to a burglary suspect in Room 244.  Deputy Kenneth McKenzie had just taken the burglary report from room 131 at 1515 hours this date. Deputy McKenzie went to room 244 and encountered two suspects in the Room.  Deputy McKenzie was attentive, observant and acted in a swift manner which led to the arrest of two convicted felons on firearm charges.  Deputy McKenzie's actions also led to a verbal confession from one of the subjects for burglary that occurred in room 131. Deputy McKenzie's attention to details also led to the recovery of a lap top computer that was taken during the burglary, the seizure of the firearm the convicted felons had in their possession, and the seizure of methamphetamines which led to felony drug charges being placed on both suspects. The following day, during a pro-active stop for a suspicious situation at the IGA on East Boundary, Deputy McKenzie was able to make an arrest on a wanted person for a felony armed robbery.  Upon reading the warrant application at CID, he learned that there was a second person wanted in connection with the same armed robbery whom he had observed earlier in the day on his beat.  He then went back to his patrol area, looked for the second wanted person, located him and made an arrest for the warrant as well as felony drug charges for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Deputy McKenzie's professional attitude during the initial call led to the witness coming forward and supplying him with the information needed to make these arrests and on the following day, his pro-active policing methods led the arrest of two armed robbery suspects.  Deputy McKenzie's exemplary actions, attention to details and professionalism make him very worthy of this award.

Deputy William McClure

On August 23, 2014, Deputy McClure was patrolling MM Scott Apartment complex. During the patrol, Deputy McClure observed 2 subjects setting off fireworks in the parking lot. Upon seeing Deputy McClure, the subjects took flight on foot into apartment 67. A consent search was conducted inside of the residence by Deputy McClure and the rest of Housing Squad A. During the search, one of the subjects who ran into the residence was located hiding under the bed in the master bedroom. This subject was wanted through Aiken, S.C. for serious felony violations including kidnapping, armed robbery and a firearm violation and had been a fugitive for some time.  Approximately 2.1 grams of marijuana and a loaded .38 caliber revolver was also seized from the residence.  The subject was taken into custody and claimed ownership of the marijuana and the firearm. Deputy McClure did an outstanding job on patrol and was attentive to persons that he observed while patrolling. Because of Deputy McClure’s alertness and knowledge of the law, a wanted felon was quickly apprehended without incident and a firearm and drugs were taken off the street.

Deputy Dwayne Christy  

On August 21, 2014 this office received a letter from Captain Steve Morris of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office which details the events as follows: On Thursday evening August 14, 2014 around 22:30 hours a woman was beaten and her husband murdered in the parking lot of the Wesley United Methodist church during a carjacking in Columbia County. Later, the suspect in this case arrived at the TPS convenience store on Peach Orchard Road and asked the clerk for directions. Many Richmond County deputies were assisting to locate this suspect until it was realized he had left the area and was believed headed to Florida. Shortly thereafter, Deputy Christy stops at a gas station and initiated a conversation with the clerk about the murder investigation. He was told by the clerk that a suspicious black male, with blood on his face and driving a gold SUV, came to the window and asked for directions to 1-95 South towards Florida. Deputy Christy immediately called Columbia County dispatch and advised them of this information. Video was collected from the store and this information was relayed to the Florida Highway Patrol, which ultimately lead to the arrest of the suspect. Deputy Christy's actions were instrumental in the timely capture of this suspect.  Due to the quick and efficient actions of Deputy Christy, a murder suspect was tracked down and arrested. Deputy Christy is to be commended for his actions and he is appreciated by this office and all of Richmond County. His actions in this case are also appreciated by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Columbia County.

Corporal Eard Trimmingham 

On Wednesday July 2, 2014, Corporal Trimmingham was patrolling the area around the 200 block of Boy Scout Road when he was flagged down by a very excited 7 year old son of Treeuisha Walker, of 222 Boy Scout Road. He told Corporal Trimmingham that his mother needed him. He responded and was advised by Ms. Walker that her 3 year old daughter, Michiah Walker, was choking on a piece of candy. She told him that she had stuck her finger in the child’s mouth to try and remove it but it wouldn’t come out. Corporal Trimmingham took the child and performed the Heimlich maneuver and the candy was dislodged. He then called for Gold Cross Ambulance Service to respond and check the child. She was determined to be fine and did not need any further treatment.

 Deputy John Scott,

On 061914, Deputy Michael Rollins received a call to Virginia College at 2807 Wylds Road in reference to a child locked in a vehicle. Deputy Oleg Grinko, the team leader, was the first on the scene and a short time later Deputy Rollins and Deputies Jacob Green and John Scott arrived. Raisa Garnett, a security guard with the college met them and advised that she was flagged down by an unidentified person in reference to a possible child left in a Toyota 4 Runner. Upon investigating Ms. Garnett thought she heard a baby crying. Deputy Grinko also heard the faint sound of a baby crying but could not see it due to it being covered by a blanket. He was able to reach through a partially rolled down window and pull the blanket away to reveal the child who was in the hatch back area of the vehicle. Deputies Grinko, Rollins and Scott attempted to gain entry through the windows and doors but were unsuccessful. Deputy Green found the sunroof partially open and was able to get in and unlock the vehicle. First responders who were present determined the child to be in critical condition at that point. The child was stabilized and transported to GRU. Investigation revealed that the mother, Alicia Manigault, had left the child in the vehicle while she took a test at the college. The child was in the vehicle for approximately 45 minutes in a non-shaded area without the air conditioner on.

 Deputy Michael Rollins,

On 061914, Deputy Michael Rollins received a call to Virginia College at 2807 Wylds Road in reference to a child locked in a vehicle. Deputy Oleg Grinko, the team leader, was the first on the scene and a short time later Deputy Rollins and Deputies Jacob Green and John Scott arrived. Raisa Garnett, a security guard with the college met them and advised that she was flagged down by an unidentified person in reference to a possible child left in a Toyota 4 Runner. Upon investigating Ms. Garnett thought she heard a baby crying. Deputy Grinko also heard the faint sound of a baby crying but could not see it due to it being covered by a blanket. He was able to reach through a partially rolled down window and pull the blanket away to reveal the child who was in the hatch back area of the vehicle. Deputies Grinko, Rollins and Scott attempted to gain entry through the windows and doors but were unsuccessful. Deputy Green found the sunroof partially open and was able to get in and unlock the vehicle. First responders who were present determined the child to be in critical condition at that point. The child was stabilized and transported to GRU. Investigation revealed that the mother, Alicia Manigault, had left the child in the vehicle while she took a test at the college. The child was in the vehicle for approximately 45 minutes in a non-shaded area without the air conditioner on.

 Deputy Jacob Green,

On 061914, Deputy Michael Rollins received a call to Virginia College at 2807 Wylds Road in reference to a child locked in a vehicle. Deputy Oleg Grinko, the team leader, was the first on the scene and a short time later Deputy Rollins and Deputies Jacob Green and John Scott arrived. Raisa Garnett, a security guard with the college met them and advised that she was flagged down by an unidentified person in reference to a possible child left in a Toyota 4 Runner. Upon investigating Ms. Garnett thought she heard a baby crying. Deputy Grinko also heard the faint sound of a baby crying but could not see it due to it being covered by a blanket. He was able to reach through a partially rolled down window and pull the blanket away to reveal the child who was in the hatch back area of the vehicle. Deputies Grinko, Rollins and Scott attempted to gain entry through the windows and doors but were unsuccessful. Deputy Green found the sunroof partially open and was able to get in and unlock the vehicle. First responders who were present determined the child to be in critical condition at that point. The child was stabilized and transported to GRU. Investigation revealed that the mother, Alicia Manigault, had left the child in the vehicle while she took a test at the college. The child was in the vehicle for approximately 45 minutes in a non-shaded area without the air conditioner on.

Deputy Oleg Grinko, 

On 061914, Deputy Michael Rollins received a call to Virginia College at 2807 Wylds Road in reference to a child locked in a vehicle. Deputy Oleg Grinko, the team leader, was the first on the scene and a short time later Deputy Rollins and Deputies Jacob Green and John Scott arrived. Raisa Garnett, a security guard with the college met them and advised that she was flagged down by an unidentified person in reference to a possible child left in a Toyota 4 Runner. Upon investigating Ms. Garnett thought she heard a baby crying. Deputy Grinko also heard the faint sound of a baby crying but could not see it due to it being covered by a blanket. He was able to reach through a partially rolled down window and pull the blanket away to reveal the child who was in the hatch back area of the vehicle. Deputies Grinko, Rollins and Scott attempted to gain entry through the windows and doors but were unsuccessful. Deputy Green found the sunroof partially open and was able to get in and unlock the vehicle. First responders who were present determined the child to be in critical condition at that point. The child was stabilized and transported to GRU. Investigation revealed that the mother, Alicia Manigault, had left the child in the vehicle while she took a test at the college. The child was in the vehicle for approximately 45 minutes in a non-shaded area without the air conditioner on.