A South Carolina police officer fatally shot while responding to violence at a Columbia park has been identified as a 29-year-old father of two.
Columbia Police Officer Christopher DeLong was hit by gunfire late Saturday morning during an exchange of shots near Southeast Park in Columbia.
DeLong was shot alongside fellow officer David Dymock, who was wounded in the incident and remains hospitalized in stable condition.
Authorities have identified the gunman as 33-year-old Adam Dowdy, a convicted felon who was also killed after the confrontation unfolded following an earlier domestic violence dispute.
DeLong, who had served with the Columbia Police Department for two years, leaves behind his wife, Hannah, and their two young children.
In an emotional Facebook tribute, Hannah shared the devastation of losing her husband, saying her family had been plunged into an unimaginable nightmare.
‘I am heart broken. My person. My love. The best dad to our babies and the person I’ve been with since I was 16 was killed today in the line of duty,’ she wrote.
‘Someone’s selfish decisions took away the one person I loved and I knew I would always have, and my babies now have to grow up [without] their daddy.’
Hannah, 28, added: ‘I can’t process this. I want to wake up from this.’
Columbia Police Officer Christopher DeLong, 29, was killed in the line of duty Saturday morning. He had been with his wife Hannah, 28, since she was 16 years old
The couple share two children together, seen with DeLong. His loved ones say he was an ‘outstanding husband and daddy’
The suspect, since identified as 33-year-old Adam Dowdy, was also killed in the shooting which erupted after an earlier domestic violence dispute
DeLong responded to a woman’s home just around 9.30am after she reported that Dowdy had violated the restraining order she had against him, Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said.
The suspect was inside her residence and destroying her property, she told police.
Dowdy fled the property before DeLong had arrived on scene, but the victim was able to provide police with his name and a description of his car.
DeLong left the home around 10.30am and roughly 20 minutes later responded to a call for a report of a suspicious person by the park.
When he arrived on scene, he found Dowdy standing near his vehicle.
Dymock, 29, responded to the scene as a back-up officer around 10.41am. Four minutes later he reported that both he and DeLong had been shot.
He also confirmed that the suspect was down.
DeLong and Dymock were both transported to a nearby hospital, where the 29-year-old died from his injuries. His grandmother confirmed on Facebook that he ‘passed away during surgery.’
Dymock was also injured in the shooting, but remains in stable condition.
DeLong has been hailed for having ‘made the ultimate sacrifice serving others’
Hannah, in a heartbreaking Facebook post, condemned her husband’s shooter as she described how their family is now ‘living a nightmare’
Officer David Dymock, 29, seen with his wife Lauren, was injured in Saturday’s shooting. He was hospitalized and is in stable condition
Dowdy had a long history of criminal activity, including disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, public intoxication, possession of a controlled substance, probation violations, contempt of court and other miscellaneous criminal offenses.
Preliminary investigation suggests he may have been out on bond for a charge in DeKalb, Georgia of family violence, battery of the first offense, Holbrook said.
Dowdy had a history of arrests spanning across South Carolina, Kentucky, Wisconsin and Georgia, the chief added.
It is unclear what prompted Dowdy to fire at the officers.
He did, however, have anti-police rhetoric on his Facebook page in which he referred to officers as ‘tyrants’ and likened them to gang members.
‘I would NEVER call ya’ll and wouldnt pull ya’ll out of a house fire! Do better. Tyrants. The general public shouldnet (sic) be afraid of ya’ll,’ he wrote.
‘Literally the biggest gang in [America] and i have nothing for ya. Such a joke. What goes around comes around.’
The shooting remains under investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Authorities have said there is no further threat to the public.
Images from the scene showed a large police presence at Southeast Park in Columbia, South Carolina on Saturday afternoon
The shooting remains under investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Authorities have said there is no further threat to the public
Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook confirmed DeLong’s death during a press conference on Saturday night. DeLong had been with the force for two years
Tributes have poured in for DeLong, who has been hailed for his service and dedication to his family.
His grieving mother, Angela Graham, said her ‘heart is completely crushed and that ‘today has been a complete nightmare.’
‘I am so proud of the amazing man he had become,’ she wrote. ‘A wonderful son, amazing big brother to four sisters outstanding husband and daddy to my two sweet grand babies. He loves with all his heart.
‘This truly does feel real please send prayers for my family, my daughter-in-law and precious grandbabies.’
Another loved one said: ‘All I can say is, what an honor it was to have known Chris DeLong. He had a heart of gold and gave his life to protect and serve the community we live in.’
Kershaw County Sheriff Lee Boan said DeLong ‘made the ultimate sacrifice serving others,’ a statement echoed by the Columbia Firefighters Association.
‘Today, our community mourns the heartbreaking loss of Officer Chris DeLong, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,’ the firefighters union wrote.
‘Behind the badge was a husband, a father, a friend, and a man who answered the call to serve knowing the risks that came with it.
‘Our hearts are especially with his wife, Hannah, and their two children, whose sacrifice is greater than words can express. May they feel the strength of an entire community standing beside them in the difficult days ahead.’
