Tragedy in the Port Bass Community

On an Oconee Sheriff’s Office Facebook post, the following request made last night:  “Asking for continued prayers for our Deputy.  He is out of surgery and the next several hours are critical.”  The deputy, not identified by name, was shot at the end of a chase yesterday afternoon in the southern end of the county, at Black Bass Drive Road at Shelor Ferry Road.  The driver of a white Chevy Silverado fled, but later found nearby.  As explained by Sheriff Crenshaw, the suspect was shot and, as he explained, “We do have a suspect and he has been shot, as well.”  What happened started when deputies held a traffic stop on s. highway 11 at Mount Pleasant Road.  The Silverado driver sped away but was located in the area of Black Bass Drive.  Crenshaw says what happened was an isolated incident and there’s no danger to the public.  Out of caution, however, the Fair-Oak Elementary School went to a code yellow and let out was delayed for a time.  Crenshaw says the Greenville Sheriff’s Office will act as the lead agency to investigate the officer-involved shooting, not only at his request but at the request of “SLED” — the State Law Enforcement Division.  Chaplains from the sheriff’s office fanned out to offer ministerial comfort to office employees.