TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR CORPORAL MARC MILLER OF THE SPARTANBURG COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR HIS MERITORIOUS AND DAUNTLESS SERVICE AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM UPON RECEIVING THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION MEDAL OF VALOR.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that Corporal Marc Miller was awarded the Medal of Valor from the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association (SCSA) at the winter conference banquet on Thursday, January 16, 2014; and

Whereas, the SCSA annually awards the Medal of Valor to one or more members of sheriffs' offices across the State, who have performed heroically in the line of duty; and

Whereas, this year, fourteen recipients were recognized by the SCSA for exceptional valor above and beyond the call of duty and for courage, commitment, and professionalism in the face of danger; and

Whereas, on August 30, 2013, Corporal Marc Miller was among uniform patrol deputies who responded to a reported armed robbery involving a suspect who was brandishing a firearm; and

Whereas, upon gathering sufficient information within moments, a K9 track commenced, and the K9 unit swiftly detected the suspect's scent and quickly led the deputies to an industrial property surrounded by a fence; and

Whereas, once the deputies breached the property, the suspect opened fire. Corporal Miller and the other officers returned fire without hesitation; and

Whereas, after engaging the suspect for several minutes while he fired and sought cover repeatedly, the suspect retreated to the corner of the property where he took his own life; and

Whereas, each of the deputies provided clear communications throughout the entire life-or-death incident, engaging the suspect when safe and tactically sound and properly following policy, procedure, and the law; and

Whereas, this was Corporal Miller's third critical incident involving gunfire in two years; and

Whereas, in spite of the risks and impact of surviving such events, Corporal Miller has returned to work with determination and prepared to carry out his duties to protect the citizens of Spartanburg County; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciate the sacrifice and dedicated service of law enforcement officers such as Corporal Marc Miller who use their skill and training day and night to safeguard the citizens of the Palmetto State. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Corporal Marc Miller of the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office for his meritorious and dauntless service and congratulate him upon receiving the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Corporal Marc Miller.