Aiken, SC., December 8 – It is with profound sadness Aiken County Sheriff Michael Hunt announces the death of Sergeant Jason L. Sheppard, 29, 1140 Chinquapin Church Road, Batesburg, South Carolina.

“Jason dedicated his professional life to law enforcement, and his personal life to God, his family and love of music,” said Sheriff Michael Hunt. Although deeply scarred by this tragedy, we are a strong agency, a tight family and we will get

through this.”

Shortly before midnight, doctors at the Medical College of Georgia, in Augusta, pronounced Deputy Sheppard dead.

The deputy suffered a critical head injury Thursday night when he was struck by a motorist while directing traffic at an industrial fire at the intersection of U. S.

Highway 1 and Windham Boulevard, in Aiken.

Sergeant Sheppard has been employed by ACSO since July 30, 2004. In October,

he was promoted to his current position in the agency’s Civil Process section.

He is survived by his wife, Shelley.

Sergeant Sheppard is the first ACSO deputy to die in the line of duty in more than 15 years. On March 6, 1990, Deputy Charles Freeman died as a result of injuries suffered during a fight with a subject.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol’s Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team is investigating the crash, and will take 60 to 90 days to issue its findings.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.