‘He’s a good dude’

Local resident talks about shooting victim as investigation continues

April 3, 2006

By JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writer

A series of events Saturday that began with a shooting at Mineral Court in Greenwood, and ended with a shootout with law enforcement officials, has left two men hospitalized with bullet wounds.
A resident at Mineral Court Apartments said he was getting out of the shower about 4 p.m. when his mother came to the door and told him there had been a shooting between the apartment buildings.
The resident said he found his friend, “Porkchop,” also a resident at the apartments, lying on the ground being treated by EMS workers.
“He’s a good dude,” said the man, who added that his friend was shot about three times. “If I knew his real name, I’d go to the hospital and see him. He was real quiet. Never bothered nobody.”
The suspect’s name has not been released by authorities, but the resident said the suspect also lives in Mineral Court Apartments.
The cause of the shooting has not been released.
Greenwood Police Chief Gerald Brooks said the victim was taken to Self Regional Medical Center, where he underwent surgery Saturday.
The officer that responded to the Mineral Court scene described the suspect’s red Chevy Camaro as it was leaving the scene, Brooks said.
The car was spotted speeding through Uptown Greenwood by another officer, who pursued the suspect and proceeded to pull him over at the intersection of U.S. 25/Hampton Street and West Cambridge Avenue — between Eckerd and Carolina First.
Another officer and a Greenwood County Sheriff’s vehicle arrived as the suspect exited the driver’s side of the vehicle, pointed a weapon at law enforcement officials and opened fire, Brooks said.
Officials returned fire. Brooks said the suspect received at least one gunshot wound and was taken to Self Regional Medical Center.
Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Mike Frederick’s vehicle was shot at least five times, with one bullet lodging in the back seat only inches away from a passenger.
State Law Enforcement Division Investigator Richard Hunton said that SLED was called in to assist in the officer-involved shooting. He said the forensic team and investigators are assisting the investigation.
Brooks said officers have reviewed video taken from cameras in the officers’ cars during the shooting.
Greenwood County Sheriff Dan Wideman said he will release a statement once SLED has completed its investigation.
“To comment regarding details of the incident now would be inappropriate, but I will make everything available to the public as soon as SLED finishes their investigation,” Wideman said. “I will, however, say that all of the officers on the scene did an exemplary job this afternoon.”

Still a work in progress

The field is done, but parts of AHS baseball complex under construction

April 3, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

ABBEVILLE — Though there is still much work to be done, the Abbeville High School baseball team is enjoying its new home.
After playing at Hite Stadium on a transformed football field for more than two decades, the Panthers moved to a new field this season, on the grounds of Wright Middle School. However, the team is only using the field and dugouts, as well as a brand new scoreboard. The entire complex — permanent bleachers, concession stands, a press box, locker rooms and coaches office — will not be fully completed until the beginning of the 2007 season.
Still, Panthers coach Mark Smith said he and the team have taken to the new baseball-only facility.
“This is the first time in 21 years we’ve had a field dedicated to baseball,” Smith said. “We played at Hite Stadium, and we had some great success there. But I’m not sure some people realize how much work it was to transform that from a football stadium to a baseball stadium, and then vice versa, every year. Having a baseball-only facility has been great.”
Smith said the team has not minded playing and practicing at the new site, though construction and progress have been swirling around them. The coach said the conditions of the new field make it easy to look past the incomplete additions.
“I’ve been around a while and I’ve seen a lot of first-year fields, and most of the time, they play like first-year fields,” Smith said.
“The sod can be soft and the seams are showing in places, or you can see spots where it’s been top dressed.”
“But ours has not played like a first-year field. It’s played fast and the continuity is there. Visiting teams seemed to have liked the field and the spacious dugouts.”
The stadium will have an official grand opening of sorts at the beginning of next season, when work is expected to be completed. At that time, the facility will be officially be named Powell Park. The moniker will be a tribute to Abbeville businessman and longtime school athletic booster Charles Powell
“He’s been a great friend to this program for a long time,” Smith said.
Once completed, Powell Park is set to be one of the more aesthetically pleasing high school baseball stadiums in the state.
According to Smith, the entrance way to the stadium will be a series of brick columns with wrought iron garnishments, similar to the stylings of some “retro” Major League stadiums that have been constructed in the last several years. There will be brick and concrete walkways leading toward the general seating area and the locker room/coaches office.
Smith said he is grateful the committee in charge of the stadium’s construction has included him in the decision making process as the project has moved along. He credited the committee as having “great foresight” in recognizing how viable and important a new baseball stadium could be for the Panthers.
“The committee was very smart to take money that was pledged and go forward with the completion of the field itself,” Smith said. “I’m very excited about the next phases that are to come and about the completion of the complex. It’s certainly going to be very nice.”
Chris Trainor covers area sports for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: ctrainor@indexjournal.com.

Opinion

Let South Carolina lead fight against child rape

April 3, 2006

Such criminals “don’t deserve to be on the face of the earth.” With those words South Carolina state Senator Jake Knotts, R-West Columbia, urged his colleagues to support a bill, for which he is chief sponsor, the “Sex Offender Accountability and Protection of Minors Act.”
“In a lot of cases, death isn’t good enough for them,”Knotts added.
What this would do, if it becomes law, would make twice-convicted child rapists eligible for the death penalty. There are, for sure, opponents of the measure. However, enough state senators agreed to pass the bill. A number of child rape cases in other states have received a lot of attention in recent weeks, no doubt having some influence on the South Carolina senators. It’s now up to the House.

AMIDST CONCERNS THAT THE measure could be unconstitutional, South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster told a senate subcommittee he believes South Carolina’s proposed law would be found constitutional, and that he would be proud to argue that case.
If the S. C. bill becomes law, this would become only the second state to allow the death penalty for raping young children. Since there are many opposed to the death penalty, if the law were ever applied, it would surely go before the top court in the land.
Knotts, a former law enforcement officer, indeed did say a death penalty sentence from South Carolina will likely become the test case before the U. S. Supreme Court.

“WE HAVE A CHANCE TO BE a leader,” Knotts said. “Let’s do something about these predators ..... let our children grow up like you grew up,” he told the senators.
When McMaster was asked by one senator if he worried that such a law would persuade child molesters to kill their victims rather than leave witnesses, the attorney general’s reply should have put it in perspective for doubters. “They do that anyway,” he said. “The state needs to take as strong a stance as possible.”
The death penalty will, more than likely, always stir debate and division. Among all the criminal offenses, though, if it’s ever justified, it should be for someone who is a repeated child rapist. It’s all about children being scarred for life, or worse. Knotts and McMaster are right. Let South Carolina be a leader in fighting back.

Obituaries

Roy Johnson

GREENWOOD — Roy Lee Johnson, 86, husband of Lois R. Johnson, died Friday, March 31, 2006 at his home at 403 Augusta Circle, in Greenwood.
Born October 8, 1919, in Anderson, SC, he was the eldest son and one of twelve children of the late Benjamin F. and Vera A. Johnson. He was a former employee of Greenwood Mills, retiring after 48 years from Mathews Plant where he was a weaving superintendent. He was a member of the Quarter Century Club of Greenwood Mills and a member of the Mathews Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of Mathews Methodist Church and a veteran of World War II, having served in the US Army in Europe and North Africa.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 68 years are two sons, Jerry L. Johnson and wife Brenda of Mobile, Alabama and Harold R. Johnson of San Jose, California; one daughter, Betty J. Abrams of Greenwood; seven grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. Two of his grandchildren, Amy A. Wilson and husband Chris, and Nicholas Abrams, reside in Greenwood and aided in his care.
Survivors also include two sisters, Lucille O. Johnson of Greenwood and Patricia J. Digby of Anderson, SC; four brothers, Marion S., Herbert C., and Benjamin F. Johnson, all of Greenwood. His youngest brother, James S. Johnson, also of Greenwood, was a frequent and faithful visitor.
Services are 4 PM Monday, April 3, 2006, at Blyth Funeral Home with Rev. John Hipp and Rev. Steven King officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
The family is at the home of his daughter, Betty Abrams, 132 Colonial Drive in Belle Meade.
Pallbearers will be nephews James Michael Johnson, James Richard Johnson, Gregory Lewis, Herbert C. Johnson, Jr., Michael A. Reynolds; and Buddy Mathews, Joseph Abrams, and Virgil Driscoll.
Honorary escort will be nephew Joseph Johnson, Jack Scott, Dale Boyd, John Still, Jim Clary, Earl Cowan, Maurice Corley, Dr. Carlos Manalich, Dale Jones, Curtis Chastain, Vasco Hooks, Wallace Reynolds and Guy Reed.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Mathews Methodist Church, PO Box 2066, Greenwood, SC 29646-0066 in memory of Roy Johnson or to the charity of one’s choice.
The family would like to thank Dr. Carlos Manalich and the staff at Greenwood Internal Medicine for their compassionate help and support, especial during the last several years of Mr. Johnson’s life.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

Alice Podmore

GREENWOOD, S.C. — Alice DeKinder Podmore, 90, of 1110 Marshall Road, widow of Arthur L. Podmore, died Sunday, April 02, 2006 at Wesley Commons.
Born in Hamilton, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Floyd and Lila Green DeKinder. She was a former Registered Nurse at the Medical College of South Carolina, and was a member of Wightman United Methodist Church in Prosperity. She also attended South Main Street United Methodist Church in Greenwood.
Survivors include three daughters, Jean Castle and husband Jack of Candler, NC, Helen Spencer and husband Bob of Yuma, AZ and Margaret Emery of Easton, PA; two sons, Walter Podmore and wife Trish of Fairfield, OH and Richard Podmore and wife Carol of York, SC; a half sister Joyce Smith of Newport Beach, CA; and eight grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
As a former Registered Nurse and because of her strong belief in continuing education, she chose to be a participant in the Uniform Anatomical Gift Program at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Memorials may be made to a Wesley Commons, 1110 Marshall Road, Greenwood, SC 29649 or to a charity of ones choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.
PAID OBITUARY

Helen Calllison Rawl

LEXINGTON — Services for Helen Callison Rawl, 87, will be held Tuesday, April 04, 2006 at 4:00 PM at St. John’s Lutheran Church with interment in the church cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. Melissa Callison Kremer and Rev. Art Hallman. Pallbearers will be David Rawl, Billy Rawl, Scott Callison, Elliott Epps, Andrew Cole and John Fisher. The family will receive friends Monday, April 03, 2006 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel.
Memorials may be made to The American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29201, The Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 7044, Columbia, SC 29202 or St. John’s Lutheran Church, 213 St. John’s Church Rd., Lexington, SC 29072.
Mrs. Rawl died Saturday, April 01, 2006. Born in Lexington Co., SC, she was the wife of the late T.H. Rawl, Jr. and the daughter of the late T.C. and Margaret Reel Callison. She was a member of Lexington Baptist Church and attended St. John’s Lutheran Church. Mrs. Rawl graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1939 and was an active member of the Lexington County Museum, the SC Genealogical Society, the Lexington County Historical Society and the Thursday Morning Book Club. She was a past member of The Athena Club.
Surviving are her children Tommy Rawl and John C. Rawl of Lexington; Richard Rawl of Bethel, NC and Susan R. Daniel of Greenwood; 8 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; sister, Ruby Callison, of Laurens and formerly of Lexington and brother, Preston Callison of West Columbia. Mrs. Rawl was preceded in death by her brothers, T.C. Callison, Jr. and Jack R. Callison.
www.caughmanharmanfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Juanita Rodgers

RIDGE SPRING — Juanita Rodgers, 92, widow of Jadie Rodgers, died Saturday, April 1, 2006. Born in Saluda County, she was a member of Phillipi Baptist Church and operated Rodgers Grocery for 30 years.
Survivors include a son, Larry Rodgers of Abbeville; four daughters, Doris King of Wilmington, N.C., Jean Pitts and Gloria Rhoden of Johnston, and Betty Moore of Blountville, Tenn.; three sisters, Vertie Crouch, Irene Bass, Mazie Salters; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.
Services are 11 a.m. today at Barr-Price Funeral Home. Burial is in Ridge Crest Memorial Park. Pallbearers are grandsons.
Visitation is 10-11 a.m. today at Barr-Price Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Saluda Nursing Center Wise Wing.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.Barr-Price.com
Barr-Price Funeral Home, Batesburg-Leesville, is in charge.

Glenda Russum

ABBEVILLE, SC — Glenda Giles Russum, 68, resident of 213 Marshall Ave. widow of Leonard A. Russum died Sunday April 2, 2006 at her home.
Born in Winston-Salem, NC she was a daughter of the late Albert, Sr. and Lilly Mae Carpenter Giles. She was twice married first to the late Harold Patterson.
She was the retired office manager at Dr. Heidi Rodillo’s office. She was an active member of Westside Baptist Church and a member of the Adult Sunday School Class. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother and a dear friend to many. She will be greatly missed by all.
Survivors are: son Wayne Patterson and his wife Marsha of Abbeville, SC, daughter Rhonda Callaway and her husband Bryan of Elberton, GA, a stepdaughter Shirley R. Hudson and her husband Walter of Ware Shoals, SC, a brother Albert L. Giles, Jr. of Abbeville, SC, 2 grandchildren Angie Latham and April Lewis, 3 great-grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren and 8 great step-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday April 4, 2006 at 3:00 PM from Westside Baptist Church with the Rev.’s James Long, James Bannister and Tye Sorrow officiating. The burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
The body is at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home where the family will recieve friends from 7:00 until 9:00 PM Monday evening. The family is at the home 213 Marshall Ave.
Memorials may be made to Westside Baptist Church 308 Haigler St. Abbeville, SC 29620 or to Hospice Care of the Piedmont 408 West Alexander St. Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the Russum family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com
THE CHANDLER-JACKSON FUNERAL HOME, ABBEVILLE, SC IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
PAID OBITUARY