South Carolina deputy dies after being shot while responding to domestic incident
Spartanburg SC June 22 2022
A South Carolina deputy has died after being shot while responding to a domestic call, according to Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger.
Deputy Austin Derek Aldridge, 25, died just before 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night “from an injury received after being ambushed,” Clevenger said.
“Please keep the family of Deputy Aldridge and his extended family at the Sheriff’s Office in your thoughts and prayers during their time of loss and grief, Clevenger said. “Deputy Aldridge‘s widow and family have asked for privacy in the initial stages of her grief.”
Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright said Aldridge had been with the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office for around three years. He said the deputy is a good young man.
“He was ambushed, he was shot,” Wright said. I’ll trust Christ in this. I’m confused. I’m hurt. I’m angry.”
Lt. Kevin Bobo said around 3:20 p.m. Tuesday deputies responded to a home on Chaffee Drive in the Oak Forest subdivision in regards to a domestic call. He said Aldridge was shot at as he approached the home.
According to Bobo, neighbors provided a description of the suspect and his vehicle. Neighbors also told deputies the direction the suspect was headed.
Once the suspect took off, neighbors said they jumped in to help the deputy.
“I headed back in and called 911 and let them know there was an officer shot and we need assistance now,” a nearby neighbor said.
Bobo said as other deputies secured the scene so EMS could treat Aldridge, another deputy spotted the suspect vehicle on Anderson Mill Road heading toward Highway 290.
Bobo said when the deputy attempted a traffic stop, the suspect initially acted like he was going to surrender, but then fired at the deputy. That deputy returned fire.
Sheriff Wright confirmed the suspect, Duane Heard, was shot twice.
According to Bobo, Heard then continued to drive down Anderson Mill Road until he wrecked near a business just before the Highway 290 intersection. He said Heard ran into the woods after firing at other deputies who had responded to the scene.
Bobo said a perimeter was established. SWAT and canine deputies located Heard in the woods, where he was arrested.
Sheriff Wright said the suspect was found lying next to a rifle.
“Our men showed great restraint knowing that one of our guys had just been ambushed without firing any shots at him. They just arrested him,” Wright said. “We are the good guys. We do it right and we did it right. I just ask you to pray for our deputy.”
However, he gave assurances that they will continue to do their job.
“Our men and women will resolve, we will not quit and we’re not going to lose either. We want our community to know that we’ll heal. We’re hurting. We’re healing. We’ll still provide the best protection we can give to y’all,” Wright said.
Wright said Heard is still in the hospital.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating.
