First responders remembered during National Night Out

After presenting a flag to Eric Morse, Laurens Police Chief Heath Copeland salutes the firefighter in memory of his father, Robin Morse. Photo-Judith Brown

Laurens, South Carolina – Non-profits offered food and drinks and agencies and businesses from across the county provided information and fun activities for families and children last Wednesday evening as the Laurens Police Department and other first responders hosted National Night Out in downtown Laurens.

Thanks to a donation by American Legion Post 25, flags were presented to families who suffered the loss of one of their own first responders – their husbands, fathers or sons who had passed away.

Clinton Fire Chief Jeremy Marshall presents a flag to Phillip and Christy Vinson in memory of their son, Michael “Mike Mike” Vinson. Photo – Judith Brown

“Post 25 did this last year, and they made the donation to cover the costs of the flags again this year,” said Laurens Police Chief Heath Copeland. “We lost Robin Morse, Chris Motes and Mike Vinson this year and we also wanted to remember Roger Rice.”

During the brief ceremony, Clinton Fire Chief Jeremy Marshall walked across the Plaza and gave a tightly folded flag to Phillip and Christy Vinson in memory of their son Michael “Mike Mike” Vinson, who passed away on Easter, March 31, from an accident en route to a call while serving as a part-time firefighter in Clinton.

“He was my baby but he was also a hero,” his mother said, adding that Vinson loved his work.

Sheriff Don Reybolds presents a flag to Animal Control Officer Tabi Motes, whose husband, Deputy Christopher Motes, died from cancer earlier this year. Photo-LCSO

Vinson also worked as a  fire-fighter for Laurens County Fire Station and volunteered at Ekom.

Laurens County Sheriff Don Reynolds presented a flag to LCSO Animal Control Officer Tabi Motes, the widow of Deputy Christopher Motes, who passed away June 21 from cancer.

The Sheriff’s Office family had come alongside the Motes family throughout his illness, providing comfort and holding fundraisers.

Copeland presented a flag to Eric Morse, the son of Robin Morse, who passed away Aug. 8 of this year after a long battle with cancer. Morse was Chief of Police in Laurens and Department of Public Safety Chief in Clinton after a full career of law enforcement in Laurens County. He later served as deputy coroner for Laurens County.

LCSO Chief Deputy Chris Martin presents a flag to Austin Rice, son of Deputy Roger Rice Jr, killed in the line of duty in 2011 in Clinton. Photo – Judith Brown.

LCSO Chief Deputy Chris Martin presented a flag to Austin Rice, the son of Roger Rice Jr. It has been 13 years since Rice was shot and killed in the line of duty, and his widow, Stacy, said it is important for the family to know that Rice’s life and legacy are remembered.

Rice was shot and killed July 13, 2011, as LCSO deputies searched for a murder suspect near Barrel Stave Rd. in Clinton.

This story ran on Page 3 in the Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2024 issue of The Laurens County Advertiser.