Investigation Underway After South Carolina Police Officer’s Property Attack, Dog Murdered
Law enforcement agents in South Carolina are involved in an investigation concerning two recent incidents at the residence of Lake View Assistant Police Chief James “J.J.” Smith. As revealed by Dillon County Sheriff Jamie Hamilton, the incidents have left the police officer and his family completely baffled and distraught.
Incidents at the Officer’s Home
The first event resulted from an act of arson. On Thursday, an unidentified person set ablaze a vehicle parked in Officer Smith’s yard that belonged to one of his family members. While the vehicle burned, the fire managed to sear the vinyl siding of his barn. Smith explained that he managed to extinguish the blaze using a water hose before fire services could arrive, thereby preventing any further damage.
However, the attack did not end there. Smith noted that he, his wife, and their five children had decided to take a short leave-of-absence over the weekend. Upon their return, they discovered a horrifying sight – one of their dogs lay dead, while the other suffered severe injuries from apparent poisoning.
The bereaved officer relayed how the family was reeling from the loss, stating that it was exceedingly difficult for his children to cope, especially considering their close bonds with the slain dog. The surviving dog is currently receiving veterinary care.
A Plea for Information and Safety Measures
As a longtime peace officer, Smith professes that he cannot identify anyone who would harbor ill feelings against him or his family. He prides himself on treating everyone he encounters during his duty with utmost respect, including those he has had to take into custody, which leaves him struggling to understand the motive behind these violent attacks.
The preliminary investigation by local enforcement suggests that a firebomb, specifically a Molotov cocktail, was intentionally thrown at the assaulted vehicle. This raises severe concerns with Smith, who now fears for his family’s safety. In response to these threats, the officer has elected to personally offer a cash reward of $1,000 to anyone providing information that would lead to the capture and arrest of the accused perpetrator(s).
Data privacy is an important consideration, and as such, anonymity is guaranteed to any informants. The officer stresses the urgency of capturing the culprit(s), not only for the purpose of bringing them to justice, but also to restore a sense of peace and security within his household.
The Call for Public Assistance
Anyone with crucial information relating to these heinous acts is strongly encouraged to contact the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office directly by dialing 843-774-1432 or by carrying out an emergency call by dialling 911. Remember, every bit of information could be crucial in ensuring that justice is served and the intended peace is restored in Officer Smith’s home.
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
