Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Police Department to posthumously award Medal of Valor to fallen officer

On May 9, 2013 Mayor Keith Summey and City Council, along with Police Chief Eddie Driggers and members of the North Charleston Police Department will posthumously award the Police Department’s Medal of Valor to Patrolman Robert (Tony) Way. Way’s widow, Audrey, along with other family members will accept the award in Council Chambers at 7:00 p.m.

On February 18, 1985, Patrolman Tony Way and an assisting officer responded to an alarm call at Rose’s Hideaway Bar on Rivers Avenue. Unbeknownst to the officers, there was a suspect lying in wait with a plan to carry out an ambush in retaliation from a prior incident with police. Upon their arrival, Patrolman Way went to the rear of the building to make sure that the business was secure. It was then that the suspect was encountered but he fled from the scene and Patrolman Way pursued on foot. As the pursuit went around the building, a gunfight began with the suspect firing the first round that struck Patrolman Way on his right side. The gunfight continued with the suspect firing two additional rounds that struck near Way’s heart. Undaunted, Patrolman Way returned fire with two rounds striking the suspect in the lower back and four rounds making contact in the suspect’s abdominal area. The suspect died on scene within minutes and Patrolman Way died shortly thereafter at a local hospital.

Since the first recorded death in 1791, almost 20,000 law enforcement officers in the United States have made the ultimate sacrifice and been killed in the line of duty. Mayor Summey has proclaimed May 12, 2013 through May 18, 2013 as National Police Week in the City of North Charleston in memory of those Law Enforcement Officers, who through their courageous deeds made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities. 

1 comment:

  1. It is nice that the officer family is finally receiving the award now cause it is well deserved. Just have to ask why after almost 25 yrs they getting it now? It should have been a lot sooner. My heart goes out to the family.

    ReplyDelete