Palmetto State News

The South Carolina's state buildings recently flew its flags at half-staff in tribute to fallen officer Lt. John Stewart of the Lake City Police Department.

On Sept. 17, Jermaine Ryan Roberson, 29, was attempting to evade police officers when he struck and killed Stewart with his vehicle, WBTW reported. It is still unclear at this time if Stewart was in a police vehicle at the time.

After hitting Stewart with his vehicle, Roberson allegedly continued to attempt to evade officers and was involved in a carjacking on Frierson Road in Lake City leading to another pursuit. Officers eventually apprehended Roberson on Central Road near Olanta.

"Lieutenant John Stewart of the Lake City Police Department dedicated his life to protecting and serving both as a U.S. Marine and as a decorated law enforcement officer in South Carolina," SC Gov. McMaster wrote in a Sept. 23 Twitter post. "Please join Peggy and me in praying for his family during this difficult time."

In remembrance of the fallen officer, McMaster ordered that flags on the state's buildings be flown at half-staff.

"The Governor orders that all flags on state buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Friday, September 24, 2021, in tribute to Lieutenant Stewart of the Lake City Police Department who died in the line of duty, and the Governor requests that the flags over the buildings of the political subdivisions of this State similarly be flown at half-staff for this purpose," the governor's press account wrote in a Sept. 23 Twitter post.

For his actions, Roberson has been charged with reckless homicide, involuntary manslaughter, hit and run resulting in death, along with failure to stop for a blue light.