The Anderson County Sheriff's Office issued the following media release Thursday.
Anderson, SC (July 8, 2021, 9:30 a.m. EDT) – Anderson County Sheriff’s Deputies, serving on Delta shift, presented 21 American flags to Forest Lawn Memorial Park yesterday morning.
Following a vandalism incident at the Memorial Park overnight on July 3-4, deputies from the Delta shift were determined not to allow criminals to get the upper hand. Delta team members pooled together funds to purchase replacement flags for the 21 that vandals destroyed.
The deputies went to the two Lowe’s locations in Anderson, Clemson Boulevard, and Highway 28 Bypass to purchase the replacement flags. Store managers refused to allow the deputies to buy the flags, and instead, both Lowe’s locations donated flags for the deputies to present to the Memorial Park.
Deputies then drove together to the site and gave the flags to the facility’s team on behalf of both the Sheriff’s Office and Lowe’s.
Sheriff Chad McBride said of the gesture, “I know what great men and women we have serving this community through our office. What Delta shift did yesterday just goes to show that they don’t just work here, they live here and are invested in this community. I couldn’t be more proud of their dedication.”
He continued. “To see Lowe’s step up and donate the flags after our deputies wanted to purchase them is tremendous. I am so thankful for community partners, like Lowe’s, who work with the Sheriff’s Office to serve our citizens.”
The vandalism case remains under investigation. Anderson Area Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible.
If you have information about this case, please call 888-CRIME-SC (274-6372) or submit a tip through their website at AndersonAreaCrimeStoppers.com. All tips are handled with strict confidentiality, and tipsters may remain completely anonymous.