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Oconee County honored for safety program after deputies' equipment upgrades following on-duty shooting
Summary
The South Carolina Association of Counties presented Oconee County with an outstanding safety achievement award for steps taken after an on‑duty shooting, including adding ballistic shielding and vehicle panels to protect deputies and a reduction in workers' compensation costs.
The South Carolina Association of Counties presented an outstanding safety achievement award to Oconee County at the council's April 2025 meeting in recognition of risk‑management steps taken to protect county employees and deputies.
Robert Benefield of the Association noted that the county's safety program reduced employee injuries and saved more than $178,000 on workers' compensation premiums in the prior year. Benefield and county officials described collaborative steps the county took after a November 2023 shooting in which Corporal Lucas Watts was shot; officials said the county installed ballistic panels, window shields and additional vehicle protections as part of a risk‑management response.
Sheriff Mike Crenshaw and county administrators acknowledged the award, and council members praised the cross‑agency collaboration that resulted in safety upgrades. The presenting official said this was among the first sheriff's offices in South Carolina to pursue such vehicle and facility ballistic protections, and he commended county leadership for the initiative.
The council accepted the award and recognized county staff and law enforcement for their work on training, equipment and injury prevention measures.
