Anderson deputy Devin Hodges dies in boating accident

Nikie Mayo
Anderson Independent Mail
Deputy Devin Hodges

A deputy from the Anderson County Sheriff's Office died Thursday after being struck by a boat propeller during a training exercise at Singing Pines Recreation Area in Starr.

Deputy Devin Hodges, 30, a marine patrol and road patrol officer, has a history of law enforcement work in the Upstate. He had just joined the Anderson County agency in January, according to Sheriff Chad McBride.

Capt. Robert McCullough of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said sheriff's deputies and representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were training together on Lake Hartwell when Hodges was critically injured about 9:30 a.m.

An Anderson County Sheriff Office employee drowned in Lake Hartwell after a boating accident near Singing Pines Recreation Area in Anderson County on Thursday.

"It appears that three people were ejected from a boat and that the empty boat came back around and the propeller struck one of the people who had been ejected," he said.

McCullough said the people ejected included Hodges and at least one person from the Corps of Engineers. He said he was not sure about the agency affiliation of the third person.

Sgt. Rhett Barwick of South Carolina Department of Natural Resources walks to his vehicle following an Anderson County Sheriff Office deputy accidental death in Lake Hartwell near Singing Pines Recreation Area in Anderson County on Thursday.

Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore said Hodges died at 10:37 a.m. in the emergency room of  AnMed Health Medical Center. 

An Anderson County Sheriff Office employee drowned in Lake Hartwell after a boating accident near Singing Pines Recreation Area in Anderson County on Thursday.

The two others in the boat were not injured, but were taken to the hospital to be treated for shock, according to Rhett Barwick of the state Department of Natural Resources.

Barwick said all three people were involved in a "joint patrol-type boat activity" when they were ejected.

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"We lost a brother today," McBride said. "The only peace that we have over this is that we know Devin was a good guy and he is in heaven right now."

The state Department of Natural Resources is investigating the incident because it occurred on a body of water. Two of the agency's investigators traveled to Anderson County to lead the probe.

Hodges' record from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy shows that he held law enforcement posts in the Upstate since at least 2009.

He worked for Lander University Public Safety, Abbeville County Sheriff's Office, Laurens County Sheriff's Office and Calhoun Falls Police Department before coming to Anderson County.

County flags at government buildings have been lowered to half-staff in honor of the deputy. When Anderson County Council members got word of the accident during a budget workshop Thursday morning, they stopped and prayed for the deputy and his family.

"Our hearts and love and prayers go out to his family," Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns said. "We will be wrapping our arms around this family and the Sheriff's Office family. We stand ready to do anything we can."

Shore said an autopsy will be performed on the deputy Friday morning.

Billy Birdwell, a spokesman for the Corps of Engineers, said his agency is still working to gather information on what happened.

The Anderson County Sheriff's Office released a prepared statement Thursday afternoon asking for support.

"The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office is deeply saddened by the loss of our friend and family member in an incident that occurred early this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with our deputy and his family during this difficult time. We ask that you please allow us this time to grieve and to keep us in your prayers."

Chad McBride, right, Anderson County Sheriff, finishes a press conference near spokeswoman Nikki Carson, left, after talking about the death of one of his deputies, Devin Hodges during a press conference at North Anderson Baptist Church in Anderson on Thursday.

Many deputies gathered at the hospital and others spent time at Singing Pines, a recreation area that includes a campground and boat ramp.

McBride spoke later in the day at North Anderson Baptist Church. The Rev. Bill Rigsby, pastor of the church, has served as a Sheriff's Office chaplain.

McBride described Hodges as an "all star" and a family man who is survived by a wife and young children.

"This has been a horrible day," McBride said. "Devin was out there training so that he could save other people's lives. Now our hearts hurt for him and his family."

The last Anderson County deputy to die in the line of duty was James Alex Burdette.

Burdette had finished his shift when he came across a stranded vehicle in March 2005. He was struck while directing traffic and died of his injuries.

Former Anderson County Sheriff David Crenshaw, who worked as a firefighter after he left law enforcement, died while responding to a car crash in January 2012.

Crenshaw was working with the Pendleton Fire Department when he collapsed on a pump panel and died of a heart attack. 

McBride said funeral arrangements for Hodges will be announced later.

"He was a big guy with heart," he said. "Now, his death is a big loss."

An Anderson County Sheriff Office employee drowned in Lake Hartwell after a boating accident near Singing Pines Recreation Area in Anderson County on Thursday.

Follow Nikie Mayo on Twitter @NikieMayo

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