A South Carolina police officer fatally shot in the line of duty over the weekend after responding to a domestic violence incident was also a volunteer firefighter and a “dedicated public servant,” officials said.
Jacob Hancher was just 23 years old when a gunman opened fire at him and another responding officer on the evening of Oct. 3 around 10 p.m. on North Myrtle Beach avenue.
The second officer, who was not identified, was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, ABC News reported, citing a statement from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
The suspect was killed in the exchange of gunfire and was found dead at the scene, according to the statement. It is not clear if he was shot by officers or died from self-inflicted injuries.
According to a fundraiser created in support of the slain officer’s family, Hancher joined the Myrtle Beach Police Department’s force just over one year ago and also worked as a Community Safety Officer for four years.
“He was a dedicated public servant who upheld his oath to protect this community and made the ultimate sacrifice,” Myrtle Beach Police Chief Amy Prock said. “Please keep Jacob, his family and his fellow officers in your prayers.”
Hancher is survived by his mother, father and step-mother, sisters and step-siblings, who remembered him “for his pure heart,” his mother, Suzanne, said.
“He had a servant’s heart that he demonstrated with the police department, fire department and his church … He was as pure as it came,” she said, according to the fundraiser, that has as of Monday collected nearly $30,000 in donations.
Besides Hancher’s service as a police officer, he was also a volunteer firefighter with the Horry County Fire Rescue and a member of the Catholic Church of St. James in Conway.
The fire department said on Twitter they are “saddened to learn of the death of Jacob Hancher.”
“Our hearts go out to Hancher’s family, friends, loved ones, law enforcement colleagues and fellow team members here at HCFR during this difficult time,” they said.
The #HCFR family is saddened to learn of the death of Jacob Hancher, a @MBPDSC Ofc. who also served Horry Co. as a vol. FF.
Our hearts go out to Hancher’s family, friends, loved ones, law enforcement colleagues and fellow team members here at HCFR during this difficult time.
— Horry SC Fire Rescue (@hcfirerescue) October 4, 2020
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) posted a message of condolences on Twitter after the officer-involved shooting, saying he has visited Myrtle Beach to speak with police officers.
“I was just in Myrtle Beach on Friday speaking with police officers. My prayers are with the family and friends of PFC Jacob Hancher, who was killed in the line of duty,” Graham wrote. “The cops need our support now more than ever. I’ve never known a more difficult time to be a police officer,” he added.
I was just in Myrtle Beach on Friday speaking with police officers. My prayers are with the family and friends of PFC Jacob Hancher, who was killed in the line of duty.
The cops need our support now more than ever. I’ve never known a more difficult time to be a police officer. https://t.co/lslnGkjuHo
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 4, 2020
The Catholic Church of St. James also sent a message of condolences for their fellow parishioner, who joined the service on a missionary in 2017 to Honduras.
“For those who were able to serve along side him, they learned of his kindness and selfless service,” the message reads. “We are deeply saddened by his passing. We ask for your prayers for his family, friends, and fellow officers who are mourning his loss.”
Besides Hancher, the second officer, and the suspect, no other people were injured in the exchange of gunfire, authorities said. Details around the domestic violence incident officers responded to are unclear.
