A deputy was shot and died in the line of duty early Tuesday morning in Lamar, South Carolina. The community is hurting, and the state’s law enforcement community is mourning. Around 1:30 a.m., deputies from the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office tried to apprehend a suspect at a private home near Lamar.
Deputy Devin Mason, 27, and another deputy whose name has not been made public went into the house to serve arrest warrants on Cameron Ray Dennett, a 25-year-old man wanted for several serious crimes, such as criminal conspiracy, forgery, and a crime using a computer. Legal constraints in the past prevented Dennett from owning a gun, according to authorities.
The deputies encountered an ambush when they entered the house. There was gunfire in what officials called a rapid and aggressive onslaught. Deputy Mason met his demise during the exchange. The second cop was also shot, but he lived and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he is still in stable condition. During the fight, Dennett also sustained a gunshot wound and passed away at the scene. Investigators haven’t said if Dennett shot both deputies himself or if additional people were involved in the incident.
A 28-year-old woman who was in the house at the time and is also wanted for the same offenses as Dennett was arrested without getting hurt. Authorities have not said what her name is or what her involvement was in the fight, and they have not said whether they think she was directly involved in the ambush.
The death of Deputy Mason is heartbreaking for the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office. He had only recently started working in law enforcement, having graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy just three months before. Last week, he finished his field training, which was the official start of his patrol service. In a written statement, Sheriff Michael August said he was devastated about Mason’s death.
He called him a devoted and honest officer who rapidly earned the respect of his peers. August remarked, “During his time with us, he showed steadfast loyalty, honesty, and professionalism.” “Deputy Mason served the people of Darlington County with honor and heart.” Even though he was only with us for a short time, we will always remember what he did.
Mason’s death is a sad milestone: he is the first police officer in South Carolina to be shot and killed on the job in more than three years. The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is now in charge of the inquiry, which is what usually happens in officer-involved shootings. They will investigate the arrest attempt, the gunfire’s source, and if any rules could have prevented the death.
Officials haven’t said exactly what made the officers go to the house at that time, but it’s not uncommon for deputies to try to arrest individuals in the early morning hours when they think they are dangerous or likely to run away. It is also unclear if the deputies were ready for armed resistance.
Law enforcement officers all around the state have sent messages of sympathy and support to Mason’s family and the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office. People are organizing vigils and monuments to commemorate Mason’s service, and a formal funeral is on the horizon. Leaders in the community have also backed the sheriff’s office and asked for everyone to come together amid what they call an “unimaginably difficult time.”
This sad event shows how dangerous police work is, especially for new officers. Deputy Mason had promised to serve and defend his town, but he died in the line of duty way too soon. The investigation is still going on, but the focus has now shifted to figuring out how this terrible thing happened and how to commemorate Deputy Mason’s legacy through justice, reflection, and community support.