Community welcomes home S.C. officer injured in the line of duty
WALHALLA, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office announced that Corporal Lucas Watts, who was injured in an officer-involved shooting, is scheduled to returned home on Wednesday.
On Nov. 16, 2023, l. Watts was responding to a routine traffic stop when a suspect began firing on the responding officers and Watts was shot. He was rushed to the hospital and has been recovering since.
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“A little more than six months after he was shot in the line of duty, Lucas is coming home,” said Sheriff Crenshaw. “God deserves all praise and glory for Lucas’ recovery and I know that Lucas and his family are excited that he will be coming home to the house that he and his wife, Haley, share with their son. We thank everyone for their continued prayers and thoughts for Lucas and ask that everyone continue to be in prayer.”
The sheriff’s office said Watts was discharged from his out-of-state rehabilitation facility Wednesday morning. He arrived back in South Carolina between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. later that day.
Sheriff Crenshaw emphasizes that anyone who would like to welcome Corporal Watts home can do so from the Highway 11 at I-85 bridge. Deputies will be on sight for traffic control and to help those who attend park safely.
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Law enforcement and community lined the street to welcome home l. Lucas Watts who was injured in the line of duty.(Fox Carolina News)
“Once Lucas returns home, his rehabilitation will continue,” said Sheriff Crenshaw. “Lucas has made great progress but he still has a long way to go in his recovery. The main focus for the family will continue to be Lucas’ recovery. Therefore, the family is asking for their privacy to continue to be respected during this time so they can focus all their energy on Lucas. The family will not be granting any media interviews, at this time.”
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