Law Enforcement Officers shown appreciation

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office concluded Law Enforcement Officers Appreciation Week over the weekend. Law Enforcement Officer Appreciation Week was recognized nationwide from May 12-17.  Last Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Office held a hot dog lunch for all Sheriff’s Office employees, which was followed by the Schuck Memorial Blood Drive 2014.  The blood drive was held in honor of the late Oconee County Sheriff’s Deputy Bill Schuck who passed away in 2010.  According to preliminary figures, 47 pints of blood was donated and around 280-blood drive t-shirts were sold.  $750 was then donated from proceeds to the Schuck Memorial Scholarship fund.  The scholarship was presented Tuesday night to James Garrett Swafford of Walhalla during the Hamilton Career Center awards banquet.  The scholarship pays $250 a semester as long as the student stays enrolled in pursuit of an associate or bachelor’s degree.  Last Thursday was recognized in Oconee County as Peace Officers Memorial Day due to a proclamation passed by Oconee County Council on May 6 that asked for all flags at county buildings to be flown at half-staff.  Thursday afternoon, a retiree’s appreciation day was held at the Oconee County Law Enforcement Center, in which around 30 retired law enforcement officers living in Oconee County were recognized.  Following lunch, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard posted the colors and Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw spoke to those assembled and read a letter to those in attendance from South Carolina State Senator Thomas Alexander. The week of activities concluded with the Public Safety Softball game, which was held Saturday at Sertoma Field.