ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — This week, the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office is celebrating National Police Week.
They will be hosting several community events to honor those they’ve lost and to thank the community for their support.
On Monday, there was a with a wreath-laying in remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Jeremiah Davis is a first sergeant at the sheriff’s office. He says at times it is hard to talk about those they have lost.
“It’s really just the reflection, the reflection of the week being able to just sit back have some of those conversations that you don’t get to have we bring up names that we typically don’t talk about because we don’t want to talk about them," said Davis. "So it’s really just having that reflection, sharing those stories just remembering and being thankful that we are here.”
On Wednesday, the sheriff’s office is launching a new program called Code One, a support group for family members of deputies.
Chief Deputy Chandra Gibbs says Code One will make a difference for the family members of deputies.
“What we wanted to do was create a space and create a network where spouses and partners and family members of our deputies here will be able to come together and to be able to be that kind of support for each other," Gibbs said. "This provides a way where they do have a point of reference because often times they’re excited about their spouses embarking on this endeavor but there’s not a point of reference for the late night call outs there’s not a point of reference for those extended hours of service.”
Gibbs says it's important for the sheriff's office to have a community.
“For us it’s important that our community knows that one we value them and not only do we value them," said Gibbs. "We need them.”
Davis says officers are like everyone else.
“Really if you see an officer just say hi," said Davis. "We’re people, we’re people just like everyone else. Our kids go to the same schools, we shop at the same Walmart, we get gas at the same stores and if you see us just say hi.”
On Thursday community members are able to write thank you letters to officers for their sacrifices and commitment.