South Carolina officer killed, second wounded in park shootout after domestic call
This story contains material about domestic abuse. If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence or an abusive relationship, call the National Domestic Abuse Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (800-799-7233) or visit www.thehotline.org. Callers can remain anonymous.
A South Carolina police officer was killed and another was wounded on Aug. 29 after gunfire erupted at a Columbia park while they were responding to a reported domestic violence dispute, according to authorities.
The shooting unfolded after officers were dispatched around 9:27 a.m. local time to a home in the state capital, where a woman reported that a man subject to a restraining order had entered her residence and was destroying property, police said.
Officer Christopher DeLong, 29, arrived at the residence and learned the man had already left, Columbia Police Chief W.H. "Skip" Holbrook said during a news conference. After gathering the suspect's name and a description of both the man and his vehicle, DeLong cleared the call.
Shortly afterward, DeLong radioed that he had spotted a man near a vehicle matching the woman's description in the area of a park, and initiated a suspicious-person contact. Officer David Dymock responded as backup and, minutes later, broadcast that "officers were hit and a suspect was down," Holbrook said.
Police confirmed the man was the same suspect from the earlier disturbance: 33-year-old Adam Dowdy of Prosperity, South Carolina. Dowdy was killed in the exchange. DeLong died from his injuries, while Dymock was listed in stable condition on Aug. 29, Holbrook said.
"Our hearts are broken this evening. We gather under the worst circumstances you could possibly imagine," Holbrook said. "We're deeply hurt, and something that's very painful for us to discuss. What started today as a very ordinary day has changed everybody's lives."
The chief described the loss as a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers officers face on routine calls. Domestic-violence-related calls, in particular, are among the most volatile situations in law enforcement, often escalating quickly despite initial appearances of calm.
Dowdy had a criminal record including convictions for disorderly conduct, public intoxication, possession of a controlled substance, probation violations and other offenses, according to Holbrook. Authorities were also working to verify information that Dowdy may have been out on bond in a family violence battery case in Georgia. His arrest history spanned South Carolina, Kentucky, Wisconsin and Georgia.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has been asked to investigate the incident. The Columbia Police Department said there was no ongoing threat to the public.
Following the news conference, a procession of law enforcement vehicles escorted DeLong's body from the hospital, with officers, firefighters and residents lining the route to pay respects.
DeLong had served with the Columbia Police Department for two years and is survived by his wife and two young children, Holbrook said.
"We will lean on each other in this tragic time," Holbrook said. "Pray for this department."
Law enforcement agencies and community leaders across South Carolina expressed condolences in the wake of DeLong's death. The Richland County Sheriff's Department said it was "heartbroken" by the loss and offered prayers for Dymock's recovery. The South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police said the death was "deeply felt" by officers statewide, adding, "We grieve for his family, the officers who served beside him, and the entire Columbia Police Department."
The South Carolina Policy Council remembered DeLong as a father, husband, friend and public servant, urging the community to keep his family and colleagues in their prayers.
As the investigation continues, the tragedy has renewed conversations about the inherent risks of police work and the heavy toll of domestic violence incidents on first responders. Support for DeLong's family and the wounded officer has poured in from across the state, underscoring the tight-knit bond among those who serve.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: South Carolina officer killed, another wounded in shooting at park