Oconee deputy wounded in shooting in 2023 named South Carolina Sheriff's Deputy of Year

Wounded Oconee County Sheriff's Office Corporal Lucas Watts has received a statewide award.

On July 17, Watts was named the South Carolina Sheriffs’ Association Deputy of the Year.

Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw nominated Watts for the award. Earlier this year, Gov. Henry McMaster named Watts the 2023 County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

According to previous reporting, on Nov. 16, 2023, George Maxwell, 50, of Fair Play, shot and injured Watts. Watts was shot in the head, losing his right eye from the incident.

Maxwell had fled a traffic stop on S. Highway 11 at Mt. Pleasant Road. During a pursuit, Maxwell shot Watts, according to reports. Maxwell was later located on Black Bass Road and detained by deputies. Maxwell was charged with six counts of attempted murder.

On Dec. 19, Maxwell was denied bond in an Oconee County courtroom.

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After the shooting, Watts was hospitalized at Prisma Greenville Memorial Hospital and, in December, began rehabilitation at a Georgia facility.

In May, Watts returned home after more than six months of hospitalization and rehab. Due to continued treatment, Watts could not be present to receive the award. His brother and his parents accepted the honor at the awards banquet.

Sheriff Crenshaw said in a statement that he was grateful that Watts was selected for this prestigious award. “There were many great nominees for the Deputy of the Year award, and I congratulate all those who were also nominated," he said.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Oconee deputy wounded in shooting in 2023 named South Carolina Sheriff's Deputy of Year