If you've driven by the Hampton Inn lately, you've probably noticed something different.
A palm tree out front is wrapped in blue lights. Around the pool, blue wreaths and decorations abound.
"It's all to honor the fallen (police) officers and especially (Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office Inv.) Holmes Smith," said Manager Cathy Ridgeway, referring to the late sheriff's deputy who lost his life in the line of duty. "Since we lost one of our own this year, we're trying to do what we can to honor all of them."
An investigator with 19 years of experience, Smith died in a single vehicle wreck in Alcolu on Nov. 5. He was driving back to Clarendon County following a meeting in Sumter with SLED agents regarding car thefts, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. Smith is survived by his wife, Tonia, and five children.
Ridgeway worked for a short time as a dispatcher and got to know Smith.
"He was a really nice guy. A good family guy. A Christian guy," she said. "He was special to a lot of people in Clarendon County and this is out of respect for his family."
