As a resident of Barefoot Resort in North Myrtle Beach, Lawton Dews life was impacted by the April wildfires that burned 70 homes to the ground and damaged dozens more.

His home might not have burned, but he understood how close the fire came to his family and how many lives were changed because of it.

Dews mulled over the damage, loss and anguish so many in the community felt and he talked with many of them. One thing he heard over and over was how Barefoot Resort residents were grateful to the North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety and the many brave deeds they felt saved lives.

In short order he went to work calling Senators Lindsay Graham and Jim DeMint and Gov. Mark Sanford, telling them the story of heroic actions and the men and women who went above and beyond the call of duty during the night fires swept through the sleeping community.

Dews says he was overwhelmed by the support he received from these men in his mission to honor those who served so selflessly.

On Monday night at City Hall Dews presented plaques from the City of North Myrtle Beach and U.S. Senate commendation letters to several firefighters and public safety officers who worked in the heart of the fire evacuating residents and keeping a frightening night under control.

He says he first learned the names of the officers being honored at City Council at a meeting in May at Barefoot Resort hosted by the city and the Wildfire Task Force.

"At that meeting I learned of the heroic actions of four police officers who successfully evacuated residents without regard for their own lives. They went from house to house warning everyone to get out and even assisted those not able to leave under their own power.

"They turned on sprinklers and water hoses and in some cases helped individuals minimize property damage. In the end all this was done without the loss of one, single life. I think this deserves special recognition," Dews said.

It was at this point he contacted DeMint, Graham and Sanford to notify them of the heroic actions of these officers. All three sent individualized letters commending the men.

Dews said he promised Senator Graham he would recognize others for him. "He asked me to recognize Public Safety Director William Bailey, Mayor Marilyn Hatley, City Manager John Smithson, all members of City Council and all members of the public safety department, all of them, and others that may have offered their assistance and help on that night."

Asking Fire Chief Tom Barstow, fire Capt. Mike Davis and fire Lt. Todd Davis to come forward, Dews presented them with large plaques honoring their service during the wildfire.

The plaque to Barstow read in part, "To Chief Tom Barstow... would like to thank all his men, and his department for all their successful efforts in fighting and restraining this fire from spreading further. This plaque is presented in recognition of outstanding leadership your professionalism is a credit to the firefighting profession and the city of North Myrtle Beach."

Public Safety Officers Lt. Guy Johnson, Sgt. Joe Turner, Lance Cpl. William Norton and Lance Cpl. Bob Rogers were honored next. Norton is recovering from surgery and was unable to attend.

They were presented with awards and framed letters from the Governor and Senators Graham and DeMint.

In the letters to the men DeMint said, "It is my pleasure to honor you for your heroic actions... because you chose to answer a call to duty you saved the lives of many people. Your actions reflect a depth of character that speaks highly of your integrity and hard work."

Graham also sent a special award to Bailey thanking him for the work of the officers singled out and the entire public safety department.

Hatley said she wanted to thank Dews on behalf of the city and City Council for recognizing the efforts of the public safety officers. She said it was a team effort during the fire and she was happy to see their efforts rewarded.

Sen. Dick Elliott took time to thank all members of the North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety for their work during the wildfire and said he was proud of his home city.

"This is my home and I consider this one of the best operating governments in the state of South Carolina. In addition we have some of the best staff personnel in the state. Our public safety division, from the top to the bottom, they are second to none. They are a great group of guys who know their business. They are professionals. I am proud to call this place my home," said Elliott.

"I am honored today to pay tribute to and recognize those members of the public safety division of this city who risk their lives everyday for us to make our community what it is, a wonderful place to live and work and play.

"We are so honored to have such a wonderful group of people as our leadership in this city. My great honor today is to pay honor to and present this resolution introduced in the Senate and adopted by the House to all of you for your heroic efforts in April," he said.

Elliott expressed concern for those who lost homes and emphasized his relief no one was injured or died during the wildfire evacuations.

Hatley presented the award for Elliott and asked all public safety officers to come forward during the reading of the resolution and the presentation.

North Myrtle Beach resident Cleo Steele says she attended the presentation to show her support for the firefighters, police officers and city in general.

"I thought the ceremony was very emotional. I thought the firefighters and officers were very deserving of this night. We cannot do enough for them or thank them enough. What Lawton did was amazing. You do not see this come from a private citizen very often," Steele said.

"I can't for the life of me understand how people can criticize our firefighters. Our officers did all they could. They went beyond the call of duty and they did more than could be expected. How proud we should be of our firefighters, fire chief, police officers and our director of public safety for all they did that night and for what they continue to do for us all every day," she said.

North Myrtle Beach Times
By Judy Corley