Local

York County sergeant injured in ambush released from hospital

YORK COUNTY, S.C. — A growing memorial outside the York County Sheriff's Office honors the life and service of Det. Mike Doty, who was shot and killed earlier this week in the line of duty.

On Friday morning, the sheriff's office released Doty's funeral service details.

[Obituary for Master Deputy II Michael Robert Doty]

The Celebration of Life service will take place at noon Monday, at Calvary Church on Pineville-Matthews Road in Charlotte. Interment will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery on Old York Road in Rock Hill.

To accommodate the large number of police vehicles, expect a portion of Celanese Road in front of Forest Hills Cemetery will be closed to park vehicles.

Starting at 1:30 p.m. Monday, westbound traffic between Museum and Rawlinson roads will be diverted into one lane on the eastbound side, with eastbound traffic limited to one lane.

In addition, expect a large procession from Calvary Church to Forest Hills following the noon service. Intersections along Celanese Road will be closed to accommodate the procession, which is expected to arrive in Rock Hill anytime between 1:30 and 3 p.m. The graveside service is scheduled to begin shortly after the family arrives at Forest Hills Cemetery, approximately 3 p.m.

Doty's body was taken to Charleston for an autopsy before returning to York County.

[IMAGES: 4 law enforcement officers shot in York County]

Earlier Thursday morning, hundreds lined the streets as Doty's body was escorted from Charlotte to York County.

[READ MORE: First responders pay tribute to fallen York County detective]

On Thursday evening, the community held a memorial outside the sheriff's office.

(Det. Mike Doty)

Channel 9 reporter Stephanie Tinoco spoke with teenagers who were mentored by Doty through the York County Sheriff-supported program Explorer Post 1786.

They said they are shocked that he’s no longer around.

"I'm numb, and it's one of those situations you never think it's going to happen,” said Marie Burkhart with Explorer Post 1786.

After an emotional week in York County, the Explorers from Post 1786, who have dreams of a career in law enforcement, hoped their mentor was going to survive.

"I know God works miracles and I was just hoping that Detective Doty would be one of those miracles that happened,” Burkhart said.

Doty, 37, was one of four law enforcement officers who was shot after responding to a domestic violence call earlier this week.

One of those officers -- Sgt. Buddy Brown of the York County Sheriff's Office -- was still being treated at the hospital Friday night, while York County Police Sgt. Kyle Cummings returned home.

Sgt. Randy Clinton was treated and released Friday night.

 

(Sgt. Mike Doty, Sgt. Randy Clinton, Sgt. Buddy Brown, Sgt. Kyle Cummings)

(Sgt. Mike Doty, Sgt. Randy Clinton, Sgt. Buddy Brown, Sgt. Kyle Cummings)

On Wednesday, hospital officials took Doty off life support.

“It’s heartbreaking. It's really heartbreaking,” said Keisha Jones, who stopped by the memorial for Doty Thursday evening. “This is a dedicated man that gave his life doing what he loved."

Doty was more than an assistant advisor to the Explorers. They consider him to be family.

"The last thing I did in the hospital with him, I prayed, and I prayed really hard,” Burkhart said. “It just happened that God needed a hero, so he picked Doty. He made me into a much better person and he taught me a lot."

While Cummings was released from the hospital. Brown is scheduled to have another surgery Friday and doctors hope to discharge him over the weekend.

Sgt. John Aiton, the head of the local Fraternal Order of Police chapter, said their officers are taking Doty’s death hard.

Aiton visited Clinton in the hospital Friday and said his own son helped a friend move with Doty on Saturday. He said younger officers are concerned but that the shooting won't impact how they answer every call.

“Like I told my team, ‘If you've never experienced this, sit back and just watch how we take care of one of our own, but also watch how this community is going to take care of our officers and their families,’” Aiton said.

The suspect accused of shooting all four officers, 47-year-old Christian McCall, was also shot and taken to CMC with serious injuries where he continues to recover.