The community is rallying around the family of Kershaw County native and Columbia Police Officer Christopher DeLong following his death in the line of duty over the weekend. DeLong was killed Saturday while responding to a domestic disturbance call in Columbia. Fellow Officer David Dymock was also wounded during the incident and was reported in stable condition. DeLong had served with the Columbia Police Department for two years and leaves behind his wife and two young children.
Now, efforts are underway to support the officers’ families. Columbia Police is directing those who want to help to Serve & Connect’s Tragedy Response Program, which provides assistance to law enforcement families and agencies following critical incidents and line-of-duty deaths. (Serve & Connect Tragedy Response Program). A separate online fundraiser has also been established specifically to support DeLong’s family. (Officer DeLong’s Family Fund)
Visitation will be held Thursday, September 3rd, from 5 until 7 p.m. at Dunbar Funeral Home on Devine Street in Columbia. A funeral honoring DeLong’s life will be held Friday, September 4th, at 11 a.m. at Riverland Hills Baptist Church in Irmo. Burial honors will follow at Greenhaven Memorial Gardens on Two Notch Road in Elgin.
