NEWBERRY COUNTY, S.C. — The Newberry County Sheriff's Department is mourning the loss of one of their own, 29-year-old deputy Janna Longshore. Janna died after a three-year battle with stage four lung cancer.
Sheriff Lee Foster says his children grew up with Longshore. He has fond memories of her from a young age, saying she was always a warrior.
"She was walking one day, and I was picking up my son... and she was towering over him. I said 'who is that girl' I said 'she looks like an Amazon'... but that is exactly what she was, a warrior because she fought this thing up until the very end," Foster explained.
Longshore worked in Newberry law enforcement for five years and was the first woman to ever serve on their SWAT team.
Sheriff Foster says Janna was, a woman who was powerful but compassionate.
"We'll certainly miss her personality, her drive, and the joy she brought to everyone," he said.
Thomas Miller, an investigator and one of the officers that helped train Longshore says she always carried a loving spirit into her job and was an amazing athlete.
"It didn't matter who you are, she always had time for you ... She was very athletic, and just all-around a caring person," Miller said.
Her local CrossFit gym, Bear Arms Fitness, even shared photos of her win at the 2019 Iron Warrior Challenge, saying "You have left an everlasting impact on our lives."
"We know she's in a better place but it is still kind of difficult for us at this point," Miller said.
The Sheriff's Office asks for prayers and support as they work through this difficult loss.
The End of Watch ceremony for Longshore does not have a date yet. Sheriff Foster says they will make an announcement once they are ready.
Funeral services for Deputy Longshore are still being finalized. Her family asks that any memorials be donated to the Lung Association or the Newberry County Humane Society.