SUMTER COUNTY, South Carolina -- A Sumter County Sheriff’s Office deputy was killed in the line of duty Tuesday morning, Sheriff Anthony Dennis said Tuesday.
Cpl. Andrew Gillette, 37, died after he was shot in the chest by a suspect who opened fire on him and other deputies who were attempting to serve a detention order and an eviction notice, according to Dennis.
“Cpl. Andrew Gillette died of wounds suffered in the line of duty,” Dennis said at a news conference.
The suspect was killed at the scene when the other deputies returned fire, the sheriff said.
The suspect, who currently is not being publicly identified, was alone in the home when he fired multiple shots as Gillette and the other deputies approached the residence at 3120 Thomas Sumter Highway, according to Dennis.
No other deputies were hurt, the sheriff’s office said.
Gillette is survived by his wife and an 11-year-old son, among other family members, the sheriff’s office said. He had served with the sheriff’s office since October 2013 after leaving the U.S. Air Force, according to Dennis.
“He loved law enforcement and loved the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office,” Dennis said. “He served honorably and diligently.”
This is the first member of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office killed in the line of duty since 1996, according to the sheriff.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is assisting with the investigation.
“SLED crime scene and regional agents are ... on scene to assist with the investigation,” spokesman Tommy Crosby said.
It is common for SLED to be asked to lead the investigation when a law enforcement officer fires a weapon or is shot in the line of duty, Crosby said.
“Our deepest condolences and our prayers are with his family,” the sheriff said. “We ask that you all keep Corporal Gillette’s family and our entire Sumter County Sheriff’s Office family in your prayers.”
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