Horry County Sheriff’s corrections officer killed in off-duty motorcycle crash
An Horry County corrections officer was killed in an off-duty motorcycle crash Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.
Corrections officer Richard DeJesus and another corrections officer were traveling north about 3 p.m. on Highway 707 in Socastee when a car attempted to cross over Highway from a private driveway. DeJesus and the other officer collided into the side of the vehicle, according to an Horry County Sheriff’s Office news release.
DeJesus was killed in the crash. The second officer was injured in the wreck and is being treated at a local hospital for life-threatening injuries, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, which is leading the collision investigation.
The sheriff’s office said DeJesus joined the department in 2017 and was devoted to his career and family.
“Richard was a kind, humble and loving family man with a bright smile and servant’s heart,” the Horry County Sheriff’s Office news release said. “He was always engaging and encouraging to those around him. Richard was a doting father, a loving husband, and a wonderful son and son-in-law. His dedication and service will be a shining example to all who had the pleasure to serve alongside him. We ask for prayers for Officer DeJesus’s family and our injured officer at this time.”
DeJesus is the sixth first-responder to die in the Myrtle Beach-area in recent months.
In August, Michael Ambrosino died from coronavirus complications after serving on the Horry County police department for 32 years. In October, Myrtle Beach police officer Jacob Hancher was shot and killed after responding to a domestic violence incident. On New Year’s Day, Gordon William Best with the North Myrtle Beach Police Department died in a car crash while in the line of duty.
Less than two weeks later, officer Melton Gore with the Horry County Police Department was killed after being hit by a car in the line of duty. Timothy Hurney, a volunteer firefighter in Horry County, died in a motorcycle crash earlier this month.
This story was originally published February 25, 2021 at 12:59 PM.
