Two Florence police officers have been released and one officer remains in the hospital, Florence officials said in a press conference on Thursday.
Florence Mayor Stephen Wukela and Florence Police Chief Allen Heidler spoke during the press conference, where they provided updates on the conditions of the law enforcement officers who were shot on Wednesday and remembered Sergeant Terrence Carraway, who died from his injuries.
Sgt. Carraway leaves behind a wife and young adult children according to a GoFundMe page endorsed by the SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program.
According to Mayor Wukela, two Florence Police officers have been released from the hospital after being treated, and one officer remains in the hospital.
Mayor Wukela also said Florence officers were responding in support of Florence County Sheriff’s Office deputies outside of Florence’s city limits at the time of the shooting, and the investigation is outside of the city’s jurisdiction.
A vigil will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday at First Baptist Church in Florence. Public services for Sgt. Carraway will be held on Monday at the Florence Center, with a public viewing from 9 to 11 a.m. Funeral services to follow around noon, according to Mayor Wukela.
“I’m reminded of our friend, Sgt. Carraway. His determination, his humility, his humor, and his courage, among those of the other officers with whom he served were all on display yesterday,” Mayor Wukela said.
The one Florence police officer who was still hospitalized Thursday was in serious, but stable condition, according to Chief Heidler. Officers were responding outside of Florence Police Department jurisdiction as mutual aid to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and officers, including one off-duty officer, responded from different locations.
Sgt. Carraway was “a first line supervisor with the Florence Police Department” and October 28th would have marked his 31st anniversary with the department, Chief Heidler said. “We’ve been friends for 31 years. It is a tragic loss of life for me.”
“He was a giant of a man, but he was the proverbial gentle giant, and I loved him,” Chief Heidler said. “He was the epitome of a community police officer. He loved this community, he gave it his all. With more than 30 years, he didn’t have to do this job. But, this was his life, and this was what he wanted to do and serving Florence was his passion.”
Anyone interested in making donations to the families of the injured or deceased officers can make a contribution at any First Citizens Bank location in the Pee Dee Region, according to a press release from the City of Florence. Tax deductible donations should be made payable to the City of Florence Police Benevolence Fund. Online contributions can be made via a link at www.cityofflorence.com.
