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Memorial Service Honors York County Sheriff's Deputy Killed In Line Of Duty

York County Sheriff's Office

  

Law enforcement officers from the Carolinas and other states filled row after row of pews at Charlotte's Calvary Church on Monday, as they paid tribute to York County Sheriff's Deputy Mike Doty. He was killed in the line of duty last week. 

During the memorial service, Doty's older brother paid tribute to the fallen officer.  "It’s only fitting that his chosen profession found him running toward danger, when others run from it," said Joshua Doty. "He helped those who needed it – that was his ‘love language.'"

Det. Doty was among four officers who authorities say were shot by a domestic violence suspect as officers pursued him near the city of York. Sheriff's deputies Sgt. Randy Clinton and Sgt. Buddy Brown, and city of York Police Sgt. Kyle Cummings are recovering from their injuries. The three surviving officers attended Doty's funeral, sitting in wheelchairs at the front of the sanctuary, near Det. Doty's flag-draped coffin.

Doty's twin brother, Chris, is also a York County deputy. They were hired together 12 years ago. York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson said Chris Doty wanted him to make an important point about his brother.

"Despite the fact Mike walks around with a scowl on his face 90 percent of the time, he is a really happy guy," Tolson said.

The sheriff also said Det. Mike Doty was passionate about helping drug addicts, and started the department's program in which deputies are equipped with drugs that can be used to revive people who have overdosed on opioids. He also mentored teens who wanted to become officers.

Doty and other SWAT team members were called to the woods last week near York, South Carolina, to look for Christian McCall. He had fled into the woods after his wife called 911 to say he was beating her, authorities said.

McCall first shot York County Sgt. Clinton as he and his police dog were closing in, investigators said.

McCall, 47, was also shot. His condition has not been released. Prosecutors said they plan to charge him with murder in Doty's death, attempted murder in the other shootings and a number of other charges.

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