Three Grand Strand law enforcement officers and Pee Dee inducted into the SC Law Enforcement Hall of Fame

COLUMBIA, SC (WMBF) – Three law enforcement officers from Grand Strand and Pee Dee will forever bear their names in the South Carolina Law Enforcement Hall of Fame.

Myrtle Beach Pfc Police. Jacob Hancher, Cpl. Michael Ambrosino and Florence Ofc Regional Airport. Jackson Winkeler was all inducted into the Hall of Fame on Wednesday.

It recognizes each law enforcement officer who died in the performance of his duties. And while it is an honor that is remembered, it is not an honor that a family expects.

“Looks like it wasn’t that long ago that I was in the auditorium next door for his induction as a South Carolina law enforcement officer, and I never imagined a year later that I would be in the next room putting his plaque on the wall, ”said Hancher’s mother, Suzanne Williams.

Hancher was shot dead almost a year ago on October 3 while responding to a domestic violence call.

Williams has said that lining the walls of the Hall of Fame forever is what happens when someone is as brave as their son.

“Because he was doing something he believed in, he knew it was heroic, he knew it was difficult, but he chose this trip, it makes me very proud of him”, said Williams said.

Hancher was only 23 when he was killed.

Winkeler, another young officer, was also hung on the wall on Wednesday. He was killed during a traffic stop in January 2020.

Horry County Police also lost one of their own in 2020. Ambrosino died of COVID-19 in August.

Horry County Police Chief Joe Hill said even after decades of service the loss still hurt.

“It was hard for me. This is my second loss of an officer, and it’s never easy, ”said Hill.

Myrtle Beach Police Chief Amy Prock was also present at the ceremony. She said putting Hancher’s plaque on the wall brought back a wave of memories because although his time in the force was brief, he was also a community service worker.

“He loved his team, he loved serving his community, and he did it every day very intentionally,” said Prock.

In 2021, Horry County Police lost Constable Melton Fox Gore in an accident while picking up debris along Highway 22, and Staff Sgt. Gordon Best of the North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety was also killed in an accident in January. Both will be honored next year.Copyright 2021 WMBF. All rights reserved.