South Carolina Deputy Recovering After Being Shot in the Line of Duty

Miraculous Recovery for Oconee County Deputy

OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. – In a remarkable turn of events, Cpl. Lucas Watts, a deputy with the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, has reached a significant milestone in his recovery after being shot in the line of duty. This incident took place on November 16 when a suspect fired a bullet at him, causing a severe head injury during a pursuit.

First Words Spoken Since Hospitalization

Cpl. Watts, who has been receiving treatment and care since the incident, spoke for the first time during his recovery at a rehabilitation facility. His survival has been hailed as nothing short of a miracle by the Oconee County sheriff.

A Special Moment Shared with Loved Ones

According to an update posted by his family on CaringBridge on New Year’s Eve, Cpl. Watts managed to communicate with his family and friends from his hospital bed. In a surprising moment, he expressed his wish for them to turn on the fan in his room.

His friend, taken aback by the unexpectedness of this development, asked Cpl. Watts to repeat himself, to which he reaffirmed his desire for the fan to be turned on. Responding to their question if he wanted the fan turned back on, he nodded his head up and down, confirming his request.

A Long Road to Full Recovery

While Cpl. Watts’ ability to speak after the tragic incident is certainly a cause for celebration, his family emphasizes that there is still a long way to go in his recovery journey. The family’s update on CaringBridge highlights that his moments of improvement are intermittent and not indicative of complete alertness.

Although the ability to converse marks a significant milestone, Cpl. Watts is still in and out of consciousness. Nevertheless, each step towards progress is encouraging and signifies his increasing level of alertness.

Suspect Behind Bars

The alleged perpetrator, identified as Gregory Maxwell, who shot Cpl. Watts, is currently in custody and has been denied bond.